Geneticist for a Day

This inheritance unit is pure geneious! Middle school geneticists explore the chromosome theory of inheritance through experiments, modeling, and collaborative work. The activities assess observation skills, as well as data collection...

A handout on genetic inheritance begins with a reading on alleles and how they can result in albinism. Junior geneticists learn to complete Punnett squares and participate in a coin toss simulation of allele pairing. They also learn...

Junior geneticists construct models of DNA to discover sequencing and pairing of nucleotides. They use the models to simulate protein synthesis and then translate the codes into physical traits. Finally, they use the traits to create a...

The highlight of this lesson plan is a 53-minute investigative video, Can Science Stop Crime?" The question asked is whether or not aggressive behavior is caused by genetic factors. The answer has to do with genetic complexity, the...

It turns out blue is not just for the Smurfs! Introduce young geneticists to the Fugate family, known throughout Kentucky for their unusual skin tone. A two-day lesson from K20 explores dominant and recessive traits through partner...

What does your DNA actually look like? Use simple materials with this experiment to find out! Geneticists of all ages can follow these instructions to extract their own DNA. For learners who are hoping to extend the activity, there are...

Here is a fascinating cross-curricular activity that investigates how limited genetic variation may have increased the prevalence of a rare genetic disease among the Navajo tribe.

Chromosomes, genes, traits ... how are they all related? A short video introduces the many factors involved in heredity. Junior geneticists explore the transfer of chromosomes from parents to offspring, the proteins created by base pair...

As technology and medicine continue to make huge leaps, the days of choosing our own genes or the genetic traits of our offspring are right around the corner. Harvey Fineberg takes a look at some of the potential pathways humans may take...

Students research behavior, phsyiology, and ecology of dinoaurs. Students role-play as scientific specialists such as geneticists and ecologists. They present their research findings in a research paper.