Online Genetics Resources for Children
List of Biology Websites Aimed at Kids and Young People
Mar 30, 2009
Parents and teachers may wish to check any websites to ensure they are suited to the child’s needs. Genetics can be difficult to grasp, and some children may need some help understanding the materials. Practical activities, such as extracting DNA at home, can make learning more interesting.
DNA From the Beginning Website
This website is one of several sites run by the Dolan DNA Learning Center (DNALC). It includes the following:
- Pages on many areas of genetics, including gene mutations, Mendelian laws and evolution.
- Animations, pictures and videos to support the aforementioned pages.
- Profiles of important people in genetics, such as Gregor Mendel.
Genetics – Science Kids at Home Website
Science Kids at Home is a division of S & N Enterprises. The Genetics section of their website includes the following:
- A page covering the basics of DNA and genes.
- An explanation of why blue-eyed children can have brown-eyed parents.
- Trivia questions and answers on basic genetics.
- Genetics definitions.
- Links to other related websites.
Tour of the Basics – Genetics Science Learning Center Website
This website is run by University of Utah. Their Tour of the Basics section includes the following:
- Animations on the basics of DNA, genes, chromosomes, proteins, heredity and traits.
- Links to onsite articles on basic genetics.
Young Scientists Education Material – Genome BC Website
This website is run by Genome British Columbia. Their Young Scientists Education Material section includes the following:
- Instructions for hands-on activities, such as how to make edible DNA models, spooling DNA from fruit and how to make DNA bracelets.
- Animations and videos to explain some basic genetics, such as mitosis and gene expression.
- Links to onsite pages suitable for those studying higher grades.
I Can Do That – Eureka Science Website
This is the Eureka Science website. The I Can Do That section includes the following:
- Colorful, animated pages on DNA, cells, RNA, proteins and clones.
- A genetics questions and answers section.
- A Science in the News section.
- Links to external sites on genetics.
Probability and Genetics – Kids do Science Website
This is the Kids do Science section of the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory website. Although sub-section Probability and Genetics is aimed at teachers, their information is educational and accessible to the public. It includes:
- Lesson plans and student worksheets on genetics and probability, including information on Punnett squares.
- Genetics definitions.
- A slide-show on genetics and probability.
- Posters on DNA, inheritance and single-gene human traits.
- Instructions on how to make puppets to aid learning about genetics.
For more information, read How to Teach Genetics to Children. For a basic genetics primer, read Useful Science Basics for Understanding Genetics.
All sites were retrieved 30th March 2009. Claims and opinions expressed on external websites do not necessarily reflect those of the author.
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