In this activity, students use an interactive or paper-based graphic organiser to explore common alternative conceptions about genetics. This activity can be done individually, in pairs or as a whole class.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
- explain their thinking behind where they have placed the information
- explain some key genetics terms including ‘DNA’, ‘gene’ and ‘chromosome’
- describe the basic processes by which genetic information is passed from 1 generation to the next.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
- introduction/background notes
- what you need
- what to do
- extension ideas
- student worksheets
- teacher answer sheet.
Related content
The following articles provide background information on some of the science ideas and concepts behind this activity:
- DNA, chromosomes and gene expression
- Genotype and phenotype
- Meiosis, inheritance and variation
- Role of proteins in the body.
Activity idea
In the activity Genetics webquest, students carry out a genetics webquest using resources from the Science Learning Hub or a genetics animation from the Learn Genetics website.
