DNA Pop-BeadsThis hands-on activity demonstrates DNA structure and replication using “Pop-Beads” available from science education supply companies.
DNA Beads DNA is the language of biological evolution. This simple hands-on activity provides a hands on way to learn about DNA’s structure, replication, transcription and translation using beads on pip cleaners.
String Genome Create a model of the human genome. In this hands-on activity, students create a string genome which simulates the length of DNA in each human cell. This activity shows the relative amounts of genes to “dark DNA.”
Tinkering With Evolution– This hands-on activity lets students “tinker” with DNA to observe duplication and modification as important sources of genetic variation. Velcro simulates genes. Tinkering with these Velcro “genes” demonstrates point mutations, duplications and DNA mobility.
Mighty Mutation Maker– The Canadian Museum of Nature has a fun online game that teaches lets you make mutations in DNA and see how these affect the amino acids in a protein.
Build DNA ModelGenetic Science Learning Center has a great, web-based activity that lets you build a virtual DNA molecule.
Gel Electrophoresis– This excellent, web-based interactive shows how DNA is analyzed using gel electrophoresis. From the Genetic Science Learning Center.
Skulls Lab– by Martin Nickels of Evolution & the Nature of Science Institutes.
The Genographic Project– This web site lets you have your own DNA tested, so that you may be part of this project that shows the how all people alive today descended from a group of African Ancestors around 60,000 years ago. Sponsored by National Geographic.
Family Tree DNA – Send in your DNA for testing to determine your evolution within your family tree.
Phylogeny
Natural Selection
Bird Beak Adaptations– Hands on investigation of how shape and structure of beaks affects the type of food that birds are able to eat.
Evolution of the Blue Grabber– This simulation uses mythical creatures to demonstrate the principles of evolution by natural selection.
Candy Dish Selectionby Carol Tang – Students select from different types of candies from a bowl and have an opportunity to think about what traits brought about the “survival” of some candies.
Epic of Evolution Beads – students learn about major evolutionary events as they string together beads representing each event.
Tiles Through Time– (coming soon). Students create and then place tiles along path to represent major events in the Epic of Evolution.
Walk Through Time– a mile long walk represents a 5 million years of the Epic of Evolution. This web based activity has pictures that illustrate major events on this walk.
TimeLine Project Cash-register tape and pictures model timeline of the universe. By Thomas Atkins.
Dating Techniques – How do we know how old something is?
Date A Rock– This activity uses beans and corn to simulate the use of radioisotope half-lives to provide a reliable measure for age-dating rocks. Age-dating rocks involves counting atoms and comparing the counts. Download worksheet .
Cosmology Activities from The Great Story– Activities for kids of all ages, by Connie Barlow and friends
Cephied Variables – Using variable stars to determine the age of the stars.
Drake Equation Calculator– The SETI institute has an online calculator to help you guesstimate the number of civilizations in our galaxy likely to contact us.
Astrobiology – outstanding activities by TERC and NASA
Extreme Life Card Game – If life exists elsewhere in the universe, it most likely will be similar to microbes on Earth that can live in extreme environments.
Geology/Paleontology
Fossils in Strata– Digging fossils from simulated sedimentary layers.
Reconstructing Fossil Bones – Imagine you are a paleontologist who has discovered some bones and must reconstruct ancient skeletons. Print a copy of S. crassiorostis
Snack Tectonics – Create a tasty model that illustrates plate tectonic motions. ByWindows to the Universe.
Layers of Rock– Build a play dough model of sedimentary layers. By Windows to the Universe
Who’s on First? A Relative Dating Activity– by Marsha Barber and Scheidle Bartos