Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
DNA Structure: Gumdrop Modeling Lesson PlanDNA Structure: Gumdrop Modeling Lesson Plan
Publisher
LABScI
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
9th - 12th
Subjects
Science
1 more...
Resource Types
Lab Resources
1 more...
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
1 hr
Instructional Strategies
Hands-on Activity
1 more...
Year
2015
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Lesson Plan

DNA Structure: Gumdrop Modeling

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This DNA Structure: Gumdrop Modeling lesson plan also includes:
  • DNA Structure: Gumdrop Modeling Student Version
  • DNA Structure: Gumdrop Modeling Teacher Version
  • Lab & Experiment
  • Answer Key
  • Join to access all included materials

DNA molecules hold the secrets that make us unique. The fourth of 12 lessons explores the structure of DNA by building candy models. After building the models, young scientists break their models to begin the process of DNA replication. Further exploration allows pupils to extract and examine DNA strands from strawberries.

64 Views 52 Downloads

Concepts

dna, dna extraction, dna molecule, dna replication, dna sequence

Additional Tags

science

Instructional Ideas

  • Show a movie or clip referencing DNA as a motivational lesson opener
  • Use after studying the components of DNA

Classroom Considerations

  • Requires a large number of materials and time for preparation prior to the activity

Pros

  • Includes a lesson variation for advanced classes
  • Provides a teacher guide with specific set up instructions

Cons

  • None

See similar resources:

Lesson Plan

Building a DNA Model

Virginia Department of Education
It has been decades since the discovery of DNA. Still, activities such building this DNA model allow blossoming scientists to better understand the components that form this overall structure. During this activity, they will also...
9th - 12th Science
Lesson Plan

Extracting DNA

Cornell University
Uncover the basics of DNA structure through exploration activities. Collaborative groups build DNA models and recreate the process of replication. Then, using plant cells such as peas or strawberries, they extract a DNA sample.
7th - 12th Science
Lesson Plan

Berries...With a Side of DNA? (High School)

Towson University
Is DNA still present after picking fruit or cooking vegetables? Biology scholars extract and collect DNA strands in an impactful lab. Working groups prepare their samples and compare their results to negative and positive standard...
9th - 12th Science
CCSS: Designed
Activity

The BEAM Project: Building Efficient Architectural Models

Curated OER
Technology or engineering teams are given a task to design, construct, and test the efficiency of a structure that will foster an even temperature throughout an entire sunny day. Intended as a long-term project, pupils research, plan,...
9th - 12th Science
Lesson Plan

DNA on Stick

Curated OER
Students experience a "hands-on" activity to get visual evidence of the physical nature of DNA and the process of DNA purification. They explore one method of chromosomal DNA isolation and DNA extraction.
10th - 12th Science
Activity

Building with Biology

DiscoverE
Seeing is believing! Bring DNA to life for young biologists using a simple extraction lab. Individuals extract the DNA from wheat germ, then place it in a microcentrifuge tube for observation. They thread yarn or other material through...
3rd - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table of Elements: The Secret Agent Lab

LABScI
Food always gets attention! Model atomic structure using fruit loops to represent the subatomic particles. After building models, scholars create ionic bonds using their models. Finally, they use these concepts to create a periodic...
9th - 12th Science
App

Building Atoms, Ions, and Isotopes HD

Carolina Biological Supply
Atomic theory, a periodic table, and a place to practice making atom models without having to draw every proton, neutron, electron, and orbital! This resource is colorful, visually pleasing, and easy to use. 
7th - 12th Science
Lesson Plan

DNA Model

Curated OER
Students are able to construct a candy model of DNA. They are able to list all of the parts of DNA that they investigated earlier. Students are able to describe what each part of DNA does. They create an edible model of DNA strands.
9th - 12th Science
Unit Plan

Discovering DNA: The Recipe for Life

BBSRC
A pinch of adenine, a dash of thymine and ta-da, you have life! Well, it's not quite that simple, but through this series of activities and experiments young scientists learn about the structure of DNA and how it contains the recipe...
4th - 9th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use