chocolate-chip chooky Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 (edited) My daughter (9) has shown a keen interest in genetics after being introduced to it in the Life of Fred Biology book. Any ideas of great resources, either books or online or otherwise? Thanks :) Edited February 14, 2016 by chocolate-chip chooky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 If you've got the money, a Genome test kit from 23andMe or FamilyTreeDNA can be a great way to explore her own DNA; if you test yourself or perhaps a grandparent she can see how DNA inheritance has played out in her own family. Not what you were asking for, but this has been a great introduction to genetics for my kids. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Cartoon Guide to Genetics http://smile.amazon.com/Cartoon-Guide-Genetics-Updated/dp/0062730991/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455479439&sr=8-1&keywords=cartoon+guide+to+genetics A nice lab for simulated genetics http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/waldron/dragongenetics2 Another thing that is kind of interesting is to use an app like DragonVale or Pocket frogs that involves breeding animals to get offspring and see if their genetics at all match what is expected. (pocket frogs works much better than DragonVale, BTW.) Finally, my DD has learned a lot about genetics from working with reptile breeders, and there are some nice apps for the different morphs and their calculations, as well as getting into some of the negative genes (like Stargazer in Sunkissed corn snakes and wobble in Spinner lines of Ball Pythons). Www.corncalc.com is one she's used quite a bit. I don't know if they exist for chickens or not like they do reptiles, but that might be fun. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalsummer Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 (edited) I don't know where you are in the US (or how advanced your kiddo is) but I saw this guy in 9th grade and it was just the best thing *ever*. I took IB Bio in high school instead of IB Chem specifically so I could go again in 11th. https://www.samrhine.com/ I think I would have liked it as young as maybe 5th grade. Edited February 14, 2016 by ananemone 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has a lot of free resources, may or may not work for your daughter. https://www.hhmi.org/educational-materials 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilaclady Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 How cool. I was just putting together a list for my dd who wants a genetics elective for next year. Most of what I have are from the hhmi institute referenced above. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolate-chip chooky Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 I'm so glad the Cartoon Guide was recommended, as I'd already ordered that, hoping it would be good. Phew. Thanks for all the ideas. I'll enjoy looking through them today. Hmmm, those lectures are maybe a bit far to travel to. We're in Australia. :) Anything done with a dose of humour suits us well. And although I struggle to enjoy them, my daughter loves Manga-style educational books. She's reading one about Marie Curie right now. The tricky thing is finding resources that are at just the right level - enough new info and intellectual challenge, but not too overwhelming. When we hit that sweet spot, life and learning is joyful :hurray: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 The Manga Guide to Molecular Biology has some genetics content ;) I don't get the appeal, either, but we have a bunch of them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Here's a genotype/phenotype project: https://www.genome.gov/Pages/Education/Modules/PTCTasteTestActivity.pdf You can order the PTC test strips from Amazon and other vendors. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 This youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/AmoebaSisters/videos 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 The Cartoon Guide can be irreverent and sometimes a little mature. Just take note/ preview first. We didn't use the one on Genetics but his history ones are like that. Might be okay for old soul/ mature ALs. Apart from HHMI several years ago, we also used some resources from Learn Genetics. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolate-chip chooky Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Super, super, super. Thank you! Thanks, Quark, I'll be sure to read it first. I appreciate the heads-up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 In general, I haven't had trouble with the Cartoon guides. Of course, I was also an avid Mad Magazine fan at DD's age-and that's about what they remind me of. If you can handle that sort of irreverent, sometimes a little innuendo laden humor, you'll be fine. But yes, in general pre-read anything for genetics, because genetics and the exchange of gametes go together, and sometimes authors focus a little more on the latter than on the science of the former. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalsummer Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Hah, I guess Australia is a *little* far to travel for a lecture in Illinois! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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