Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Trace Your Ancient Ancestry Through Dna

For Students 9th - 10th
In this science project, you will investigate the secrets of your distant past as revealed by your DNA. In order to obtain a sample for DNA analysis, you will scrape a soft swab inside your mouth to collect cheek cells. Based on the...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Use Dna Sequencing to Trace the Blue Whale's Evolutionary Tree

For Students 9th - 10th
Around 50 million years ago, the mammalian ancestor of today's whales returned to the ocean. In this genomics science fair project, you will use mitochondrial protein sequencing to trace the evolution of whales and identify their closest...
Handout
PBS

Nova: Identifying Remains With Dna

For Students 9th - 10th
Mitochondrial DNA has different properties than nuclear DNA which make it beneficial in certain forensic settings. Get the details on the ways mitochondrial DNA is being used in forensic science.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Nordic Sagas: Iceland Genes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Explain how the isolated and homegeneous population of Iceland makes research in family ancestry simpler than in other cultures. Investigate the work of genealogists, and trace your own heritage as far as you can without extensive research.