CU INVESTors
Inclusive Excellence in Science and Technology
Genetics
During the genetics unit, we like to play a game to help the kids understand what traits were passed on to them from their parents. This game is Personal Trait Bingo and we make bingo cards with pictures of different traits in each square. Some of the traits included curly hair, brown eyes, and the ability to roll one’s tongue. To play the game we call out random traits and if the kids have that particular trait, for example they had a hitchhiker’s thumb when we call that out, they could cross off that square. We played until someone got Bingo. This game was a huge hit with the kids because not only was it interactive, but it was personal to them. They got to look at distinguishing traits which were passed onto them by their parents and makes them unique.
Personal Trait Bingo
Punnet Square Relay
The goal of this activity was to give the kids an understanding in how different genes code for different traits or phenotypes, two chromosomes have two different versions of each gene, and how to use a punnet square to determine the most likely phenotype given two genotypes. The students were separated into groups of four. Each group was given two unsolved punnet squares, each with two genotypes for a specific phenotype. The objects corresponding to each of the possible phenotypes were scattered around the room. The students had to successfully solve the punnet square, find the corresponding object to the most likely phenotype, and have a group member wear the object. The first group to complete all of the punnet squares won the round. Multiple rounds were completed.
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Most of the students enjoyed this activity as they were racing each other and had to put on ridiculous sunglasses or hats. They grasped the concept of dominant and recessive traits as well as differentiating genotypes and phenotypes. However, some kids may not have gotten a full understanding of how to solve and interpret the punnet square because in each group only one student had to really know the material to complete the activity. It was slightly hectic with students racing around to find the correct objects, but overall it was a fun and educational activity.