Flowers and Genetics

by Shannon
This week, 6th graders completed an intensive mini-course on genetics. Students learned new vocabulary: dominant/recessive, genotype/phenotype, and more! Through watching videos and practice, students learned how to use punnett squares to make predictions for future generations. To see heredity and the passing of genes in action, we bred tissue paper flowers! Each student created their "pure bred" generation and then the breeding began. With a roll of the dice, an even or odd number determined what genes were passed on (genotype) and what the next generation will look like (phenotype). This experiment also allows students to investigate how recessive genes can reappear in future generations - even if a predator wipes out a large group! Ask your students about their new flower offspring, who survived, and who didn't!