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Description

Overview:
Students randomly select jelly beans (or other candy) that represent genes for several human traits such as tongue-rolling ability and eye color. Then, working in pairs (preferably of mixed gender), students randomly choose new pairs of jelly beans from those corresponding to their own genotypes. The new pairs are placed on toothpicks to represent the chromosomes of the couple's offspring. Finally, students compare genotypes and phenotypes of parents and offspring for all the "couples" in the class. In particular, they look to see if there are cases where parents and offspring share the exact same genotype and/or phenotype, and consider how the results would differ if they repeated the simulation using more than four traits.
Subject:
Engineering, Genetics
Level:
Middle School
Grades:
Grade 7, Grade 8
Material Type:
Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
Author:
Provider:
TeachEngineering
Provider Set:
TeachEngineering
Date Added:
09/26/2008
License:
Educational Use Permitted
Language:
English
Media Format:
Graphics/Photos, Text/HTML

Comments

Cinda Murray on Mar 06, 11:45am

A hands-on activity that bridges abstract concepts of genotypes to phenotypes. Good off-line precursor for biotech engineering extensions. Formative assessments beyond those described may be needed to check for student understanding. Affordable alternative to similar to kits that can purchased through science supply companies.

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Average Score (3 Points Possible)
Degree of Alignment1.8 (3 users)
Quality of Explanation of the Subject Matter2.5 (4 users)
Utility of Materials Designed to Support Teaching1.8 (4 users)
Quality of Assessments1.5 (4 users)
Quality of Technological InteractivityN/A
Quality of Instructional and Practice Exercises1 (3 users)
Opportunities for Deeper Learning1.8 (4 users)

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