Sensation establishes genetics as the sweet science
ByNews reporter
Steve MacDougall, Courier, Sensation Science Centre, Dundee. DNA Science Lesson photocall. Pictured, Hayley Sherrard (of SSERC, Scottish Schools Education Research Centre) with a 'Reebop' character, which is used to teach children about DNA.
Dundee pupils may soon have to resist the temptation to eat their own science experiments.
The Sensation centre hopes teachers will show them how genetics works using creatures known as reebops, made from marshmallows or playdough.
Reebops help children better understand DNA, chromosomes and genes if they can see for themselves how they affect an organism.
Pupils can make their own reebop, with varying body segments, humps and antennae or colour of eyes and nose determined by random sets of instructions, just as chromosomes are.
That shows how humans inherit characteristics from their parents, but also have unique variations.
Teachers will learn how to use a technique called gel-electrophoresis, which separates molecules such as DNA, to explain how genetic fingerprinting works and also how to discuss with their classes how DNA data is used.
The October 25 event is part of a Scottish Schools Education Research Centre programme.
Sensation establishes genetics as the sweet science
