Education Standards
completed wire frame
step 1
step 2
steps 3 & 4
Talking DNA molecule construction record table
Talking DNA Molecules
Overview
In this activity, students will create a segment of DNA out of wire and play-doh. Using a simple computer code, they will make their DNA talk by connecting a Makey Makey circuit board and hooking it up to a computer.
Students will create a talking model of DNA
| Timeframe # Weeks or Lessons: This lesson should take 3-4 42 minute class peirods. |
Stage 1 - Desired Results
| Big Idea(s)& Essential Questions |
| Big Ideas: DNA, RNA & Protein Synthesis |
| Essential Questions: How are traits passed from parents to offspring? |
| Students Will Know | Students Will Be Doing |
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Stage 2 - Evidence of Understanding
| Assessments (Formative and Summative): | Performance Task(s) |
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Stage 3 - Lesson Learning Targets
Learning Activities: Learning targets are written from the students perspective. I can…
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| Lesson Procedure Notes: |
1. The wire you use must be plastic-coated, insulated wire. The circuitry will not work if the wire is not insulated. 2. Students will need to use an email address to create a Scratch account. As stated in the instructions, Scratch can be used without joining/making an account, but their work will not be saved. 3. Make sure none of the play-doh touches on the students' models. If they play-doh touches, the current will travel between both, and both Scratch codes will be spoken simultaneously. 4. I circulated among student groups and listened to each model individually, assessing them on the spot. 5. If play-doh models need to be saved over night to be hooked up the next day, place each in a separate gallon zip-top bag. Otherwise, the play-doh will dry out and not conduct electricity. 6. After assessing students, I had them remove the play-doh from the wire models, and I kept the wire models for future use. This cuts down on the materials needed from year-to-year, and it also saves an entire class period of time. 7. You may find that students need wire tools like jewelry or needle-nose pliers to twist the thinner wire around the thicker back-bone wire. 8. I don't recommend wire thinner than 12-gauge and for the backbone...it's too flimsy. However, thinner wire for the rungs of the ladder should be okay, but I like the firmness of the 18-gauge for supporting the play-doh. 9. I purchased 1000 orthodontic rubber bands from Amazon for this project. You could also use small hair-elastics.
Suggested adaptations for special needs students:
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Students will create a model of DNA that speaks to them - in their own voices! DNA structure will be explored, including the sugar-phosphate backbone, complementary base pairing and hydrogen bonding between nitrogen bases.
Materials
2 10-inch pieces of 12-gauge wire
4 6-inch pieces of 18-gauge wire
6 different colors of play-doh
16 small rubber bands
Talking DNA molecule construction record table
Laptop
Makey Makey circuitry
Procedure:
Create your code:
TIP: Do not allow any of your play-doh colors to touch. This will cause the current of your circuit to flow between them, and all connected sounds will play at once. Attach the Makey Makey to the model:
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