Activities
Labs
Links
National Standards
Activities
  • Make an Origami DNA model at DNAi website.  Or download the PDF files for Instructions and Template.
  • Try this "Tour of the Basics"  WebQuest from the Genetic Science Learning Center.
  • With this Activity, simulate "RNA Transcription" and get the Templates for RNA and DNA nucleotides.  These are suggestions for the order of DNA bases.  They can be cut out and one given to each group.  To have students go further, have them use their mRNA models to do the "RNA Translation" Activity.
  • Have the class play "Codon Bingo."
  • "Have Your DNA and Eat It Too"  has students build a model from edible materials.
  • In "Reading DNA"  students use edible models of the DNA molecule to transcribe an mRNA sequence, then translate it into a protein. 
  • With this "Gene Mutation" Activity, demonstrate the difference between frameshift and point mutations. 
  • Model DNA and it's replication using candy .
  • "DNA and Genes" Crossword Puzzle and solution. Or Matt H. contributed this cleaner pdf  version of the crossword.
  • "DNA and Genes" Wordsearch and solution.
  • "Codon Bingo" is a simple exercise to help students learn how to use a codon table to translate mRNA into its associated amino acids and includes a blank bingo card.
  • "DNA" crossword puzzle  and answers.
  •  In "How Does DNA Determine the Traits of an Organism?," students use a DNA sequence of an imaginary organism called a "Snork" to determine it's traits and then draw the organism.
  • Do the "From Gene to Protein"  WebQuest activity from the Genetic Science Learning Center.
  • Try the PBS "DNA Workshop Activity" for the simulation of DNA replication and protein synthesis and use this "DNA Workshop"  worksheet to accompany it.
  • Have students watch the movie, Race for the Double Helix, (if you don't have it, Amazon.com sells it for $49.99) and use these notes , discussion questions , and quiz  from Patricia Meyers, Science Department Chair, Twin Valley High School, Elverson, PA.
  • Simulate the way mutations occur with this "DNA Chain Letter" activity.
  • Play  "The Waltz of the Ribosomes" song performed by Gregorio del Laboratorio.  (You can save the song by right-clicking on the link and selecting "Save Target As.")
  • This "Cut-out 3-D model of DNA" activity includes the cut-out templates .
  • Have students make "DNA Jewelry Models."
  • This "Say it with DNA: Protein synthesis tutorial" includes worksheets, a DNA message-maker and more.
  • "The Cell Will Survive" is a clever PowerPoint about protein synthesis.  It has the music to the song "I Will Survive" in the background with the words that Annette M. Parrott, the creator of the PowerPoint, wrote.  Students can sing along as the presentation plays.  (You may need to download the presentation and save it on your own computer for the music to play.)
  • Knit "Dr. Montville's Double Helix Seaman Scarf" using his directions.  A picture is included.
  • Or make a "Genome Quilt" with these instructions.
  •  Make "Pasta DNA Models" , an activity from Michael Gatton of the NSTA Listserve.
  • Have your students make "DNA Bracelets" .
  •  Show NOVA's "Cracking the Code of Life" video and have students answer the questions on this worksheet
  Labs
  • Try the "Extracting DNA from Strawberries" Lab with Student Worksheet and Instructions  for Lab preparation.
  • Simulate DNA Profiling with this "Crime Scene Investigation" Lab.  These teacher notes will help you set the lab up.
  • An "Access Excelence" DNA Fingerprinting Lab.
  • Try the "Mystery Yeast Mutation"  lab.
  • "Case of the Crown Jewels"  is a classroom activity that allows students to explore how the unique sequence of bases in DNA can be used to identify individuals.  It includes a pre-lab activity, a laboratory preparation guide, extension activities, and a post-lab activity.
  • "The Watson-Crick Model of DNA Structure"  is a unit with 5 inquiary type lab activities from NSTA.
  • Try this "Human Cheek Cell DNA Extraction" lab from Michael Gatton.
  • Or try this "Protein Synthesis"  lab, also from Michael Gatton.
  • In the "DNA Fingerprinting Laboratory" students are placed in a virtual laboratory where they must utilize molecular biology techniques to solve a forensic mystery.
  Links

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