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Food Forensics: The Case of the Dirty Refrigerator - Online Activity
Decipher which meal gave Mary and Jake Salmonella poisoning, which food
carried the contamination, and what Salmonella strain is responsible
for their illness.
Good introduction to forensic genomics, can be used in grade 9 and upwards.
CSI Mystery - Online Activity
Use DNA and fingerprint evidence to solve a crime.
Good introduction to forensic genomics, can be used in grade 9 and upwards.
Extract DNA at home - Hands-on Activity
Extracting DNA is fun and easy! This activity will provide students
with first-hand experience doing an experiment and visualizing real
DNA. This is a great follow up after a DNA introduction – what better
way to learn about DNA than to see it? This activity can also be used
to review cells and cellular structure. It is a simple activity that
can be done with household materials and explores proper scientific method.
DNA Bracelet - Hands-on Activity
This activity explores the DNA code using coloured beads. It is a good
introduction to the concept of DNA as a code for proteins. Modeling our
own names as the final protein product, you work backwards to decode
your name into the DNA alias code, and make a bracelet to represent the
DNA pattern. You can also use this activity to discuss and illustrate
the effects of mutations on the DNA code and resulting proteins.
Create a DNA Model with Candy - Hands-on Activity
Good introduction for DNA and works well
with scientists of all ages, and especially with younger scientists (below grade 9)
Make a DNA double helix out of marshmallows or fruit and licorice
Multifactorial Inheritance - Hands-on Activity/Article
Explores how both environment and genetics can impact an inherited condition.
Prenatal Genetic Testing - Online Activity/Article
How much would you want to know about your child before
birth? Would you visit a genetic counsellor? Walk through scenarios to see
your decisions in various situations. The case will change depending on the
answers you provide.
Karyotyping - Hands-on Activity
This activity allows students to visualize the genome as chromosomes. They match up chromosome pairs, and can detect chromosomal abnormalities. This can be an introduction to genetic screening.
You'll also need: Student worksheets
Beaker Babies “Crossing Stars” - Hands-on Activity
This activity illustrates how chromosomes from “mom” and “dad” combine to make a complete human genome for an embryo. Students can role play as mom and dad to combine their genetic traits to create a beaker baby. Or, you can combine the genetic traits of famous people (“mating stars”) to illustrate the same points. This activity will introduce genetic traits, alleles, and reproduction.
Multifactorial Inheritance - Hands-on Activity
This thought-provoking activity introduces the concept of how the environment and our genetics determine some of our characteristics. The activity uses heart disease as a model, because both environmental and genetic factors can alone or in combination cause a person to develop heart disease. Students evaluate the putative risk of developing heart disease based on simulated environmental and genetic “loads”. It is a good follow up to studying inheritance and understanding how the products of our genes interact with the environment.
Case Studies - Hands-on Activity
Be a genetic counsellor - these case studies are simulated ‘real-world’ scenarios that a genetic counsellor might encounter in practice. Many of the case studies involve problems based on Mendelian genetics principles.
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