It's alive! Turn young biologists into mad scientists with this engaging genetics activity. Using their knowledge of chromosomes and genes, students create dragons with unique sets of traits,...

Students examine how living cells create new cells and how genetic mutations can cause disorders and be inherited.  In this genetic reproductionn lesson students create their own PowerPoint presentation. 

Students sort and classify the genetic traits of horses. In this heredity and genetics lesson, students read dialogue in a skit in which specific physical traits of several horses are described and a horse family tree is created....

Study, manipulate, and research genetic traits. Discuss how genetic traits are passed from one generation to another. Classmates explore how they look like their parents and debate whether or not they can do anything about it? They...

Reebops are cute, marshmallow-based creatures that can be used to teach inheritance. Beginning biologists draw strips of paper that represent chromosomes from two envelopes, one for the father, and one for the mother. Each parent...

Students study genetic traits using popsicle sticks as chromosomes. In this biology lesson, students explain how traits are inherited from parents. They differentiate dominant and recessive genes.

Young scholars work with a partner to complete an inventory of their traits and compare and discuss their unique qualities. In this biology lesson, students determine percentages for the frequency of observed traits of classmates,...

Sixth-grade scientists gain understanding of how genetic traits manifest with simple experiments, such as determining whether their tongues are roller or non-roller, taster or non-taster. Extensions include performing tests at home with...

Learners investigate dominant and recessive traits by studying their schoolmates.  In this genetics lesson, students analyze specific traits of other children in school and create a database of information based on whom carries...

Learners explore genetics through various hands-on activities. In this biology instructional activity, students predict the probability of offspring genotypes and phenotypes using the Punnett Square. They explain the causes of genetic...

Students explain that in sexually reproducing organisms, such as humans, typically half of the genes come from each parent. They examine a fictional pedigree and determine which gene is responsible for a given trait.

Learners explore genetics and heredity. They study meiosis and view videos and create vocabulary flashcards. They create a graphic organizer that compares and contrasts sexual and asexual reproduction in each of the six kingdoms. They...

Students create PowerPoint presentation on the topic they researched. In this biology lesson, students fill out a storyboard about their topic. They share their project in class.

Students study traits of organisms including genetics and inheritance. In this genetic traits lesson, students complete a shared reading and discuss the 6 traits of uniqueness. Students sort themselves by specific traits and chart their...

Students work as a class to first construct a pedigree of a popular singer, showcasing the singing gene being passed down through the generations. Students then make their own family pedigree and follow two traits through their family...

Learners predict traits of future offspring. In this biology lesson, students study karyotyping to predict genetic disorders. They research an assigned karyotype and present information about it.

Students create a fictional organism. In this biology lesson, students predict the traits of resulting offspring. They complete activity worksheet and discuss answers in class.

In this STEM group of 10 activities, lesson two focuses on the question, "Just because we can, should we?" when considering genetically engineered food. Classes hear a scenario and, as young scientists and geneticists, must determine if...

Tenth graders work in teams to order events of DNA transcription and translation protein synthesis. In the second lesson, they put the steps of mitosis and meiosis in order using a concept map poster. They use modeling clay to create...

Students build chromosome models using popsicle sticks. In this biology lesson, students simulate the Law of Independent Assortment. They use Punnett squares to predict the resulting genotype and phenotype.

Learners explore their genetic background. They assemble their own pedigrees using star patterns for each family member and identifying various dominant traits. Predictions are made for future offspring.

Students research and assemble their own pedigrees using star patterns for each family member and coloring in various dominant traits. They arrange these patterns on long strips of paper making large, colorful family pedigrees.

Pupils are introduced to basic genetic information to discover how they acquired the traits they have. Individually, they develop a family tree and identify the similarities and differences between two poeple. In groups, they examine...

Students design a human genetic condition pamphlet which they present to the class and then take to a doctor's or pediatrician's office.