DNA and Genetics Activities for Students
In this post, we share some DNA and genetics activities and resources to help your kids understand genetics.
I worked in the genetics field for 15 years and found it fascinating! Although my educational background was not related to genetics, I soon became a student.
DNA, mRNA, and all of the terms and processes may seem difficult to teach or understand, so I’ve put together this list of DNA and genetics activities that I hope will help in your homeschool, co-op, or classroom alongside your science curriculum.
We have a popular post, extracting DNA from a strawberry, that is easy to do and comes with a free worksheet packet. It’s so easy and helps students actually see DNA, rather than have it be a concept they read about.
Family Resemblance
The easiest way to explain genetics to young learners is to have them look at their own families. Talk about eye color family members share. For instance, my daughter and my husband have blue eyes that change color with their moods or the weather – not sure which. My son is a carbon copy of my husband. My eyes are the same color and shape as my mom’s and my grandmother’s eyes.
These shared physical attributes are caused by genetics. Genetics is simply the passing of information from parents to offspring.
For a long time, people thought things like being able to roll your tongue or earlobe attachment are controlled by a single gene. However, a review of data has yielded a different opinion. You can read more about this at Learn Genetics from the University of Utah.
Enjoy the resources below-there are videos, activities, explanations, coloring pages (even for high school level), and more. I have tried to notate the resources that are definitely for older students.
Additional resources are listed below:
DNA and Genetics Activities and Resources
- Extracting DNA from strawberries experiment
- This DNA origami project is very popular-download the template and instructions here and watch an instructional video here.
- Here is a great resource from Neo12.com for studying mitosis and meiosis. It contains videos and quizzes.
- Cell.com has some free coloring books and pages related to DNA and cells. Check it out!
- Cancer Gemomics – grades 8-12
- Forensics and Genomics – grades 8-12
- This video from the BBC does a great job of explaining DNA with beautiful graphics.
- The entire Human Anatomy and Physiology series from The Homeschool Scientist
- Basic Traits Activities from Learn Genetics at the University of Utah
- Extract DNA from a pumpkin
- How a Firefly’s Tail Makes Light video – This animated video is geared towards students who have studied DNA, mRNA, and ribosomes. From the University of Utah.
- Make a DNA Bracelet
- Code Crackers Activity
- Yummy Gummy DNA