Modeling the Inheritance of Traits
Students model the diversity of offspring possible from two parents and discover patterns of inheritance other than strict dominant/recessive traits. These patterns help them model and explain the wide variation that can result from sexual reproduction and explore the cause-and-effect relationships for additional traits of the critters.
Details at a Glance
- 2-3 Days | 2-3 ~50 minute class periods
- 1 Activity
- Accommodates unlimited classes, each with 1 group of 32 students
- Meets our criteria for supporting literacy
- All materials are non-consumable
- Developed in partnership with SEPUP
Scientific Concepts
Performance Expectation
• MS-LS3-2
Disciplinary Core Ideas
• MS-LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms
• MS-LS3.A Inheritance of Traits
• MS-LS3.B Variation of Traits
Science and Engineering Practices
• Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
• Developing and Using Models
Crosscutting Concepts
• Patterns
• Cause and Effect
KEY VOCABULARY: allele, genotype, chromosome, incomplete dominance, co-dominance, inherited, diversity, phenotype, dominant, recessive, gene, genetics, trait
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Full downloadable Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Downloadable Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis questions
- All materials necessary to carry out the investigation
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 56 1.5” foam balls
- 16 1” foam balls
- 16 blue chenille stems
- 16 orange chenille stems
- 100 round-head brass fasteners
- 40 red straws
- 50 green straws
- 60 blue straws
- 50 yellow paper clips
- 40 blue thumbtacks
- 100 toothpicks
- 32 Student Guides
- 1 Teacher’s Guide
- Not included and needed for instruction: 32 pennies, 8 sets of colored pencils, 8 containers, supply of small sticky notes.