DNA: the Heart of Biological Evolution

• 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.
• Isolating DNA from Strawberries Using household ingredients, you can extract DNA from a strawberry.
• 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.
• Transcription and Translation– Great Interactive from the Genetic Science Learning Center
• Gel Electrophoresis – This excellent, web-based interactive shows how DNA is analyzed using gel electrophoresis. From the Genetic Science Learning Center.
• Genetic Jewelry– wearable DNA Bead Models
• Geee! In Genome – Contains lots of interactive games that teach important concepts in genomics.

Cellular Evolution

• Candy Cells: Exploring Symbiosis in Cell Evolution This easy and delicious activity demonstrates how simple cells merged to form more complex cell with greater powers than either alone.
• Inside a Cell – Web-based interactive shows the parts of a eukaryotic cell. From the Genetic Science Learning Center

Cooperation and Evolution

• Fishbanks – Cooperative game demonstrates the power of cooperation
• Candy Cells: Exploring Symbiosis in Cell Evolution This easy and delicious activity demonstrates how simple cells merged to form more complex cell with greater powers than either alone.

Biology

• Web of Life Use yarn to demonstrate the interdependence of all life.
• Diversity Walk– Students walk outside and note the diversity of life
• Greeting the Ancestors by Connie Barlow

Human Evolution

• Skulls Comparison
• 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.
• Peppered Moth Web ‘Interactive active Simulation– Fun and informative simulation of the evolution of dark and light peppered moths.
• Candy Dish Selection by 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.
• Natural Selection Scarf Tag Will the long tails or the short tails survive?
• Population Growth Game – Demonstration of exponential population growth.

Deep Time – activities that explore vast scales of time.

Cosmology/Astrobiology