Week 7

 In this weeks lab we started by checking on our fast plants again. Flowers appeared and the plant appears to be towards the end of its lifecycle. 

Next, we made a DNA model using Twizzlers, Dots candy and tooth picks. This was a fun and engaging activity to help us better understand the elements that make up a DND strand. Last, we completed a baby face activity by flipping a coin to learn more about trait inheritance. As to be expected our baby girl, inherited many more dominant traits than recessive traits. It was fun to put all these together and attempt to draw the baby's face at the end. 

I was able to relate this information to what I already knew about DNA strands and trait inheritance. I remember learning about the general shape of the DNA strand and I feel like the double helix is a major component of science teaching at all ages. Exposing students to this shape early on can give them a solid visual to provide a baseline knowledge that they can build on in the future. With the trait inheritance, another major component of                                                         science teaching is the inheritance of traits from parents and other ancestors. However, much more goes into the trait inheritance process and this activity was a good simulation to understand that point.

After this weeks lab, I am still wondering what kind of limitations the baby face activity would have in terms of teaching about the actual trait inheritance process. I am also wondering what grade level this activity would be appropriate for?  

 

Comments

  1. Julia MikkelsenMarch 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM

    Hi Matt, I think the baby face lab activity was meant for about 3rd. That is the grade that I would think it would fit at least. I personally think it would be a great activity to at least start the conversation on genetics in the classroom because it gets them excited to learn about how they are made up.

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  2. Ali CraigMarch 1, 2023 at 4:40 PM

    Hi Matt, I agree that the double helix shape should be introduced in early elementary as it is a major foundation of biology and will be expanded upon for the rest of their academic careers. I think that the baby lab is good for middle to upper elementary grades, and can be expanded upon the higher the grade you teach it in. The lab showed that even just making a face has so many factors, so it may be better for older students to really explore the complexity of each trait.

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