Genetic Code Architect

This project-based sequence explores nucleic acids as the information storage systems of life. Students investigate the historical discovery of DNA structure, the chemical makeup of nucleotides, and the differences between DNA and RNA, culminating in a DNA extraction lab and a 3D modeling project.

Alphabet of Genetics

Students learn the three parts of a nucleotide (sugar, phosphate, base), construct paper models of the four nitrogenous bases, and discover the rules of complementary base pairing.

Helix Architecture

Students examine the antiparallel nature of DNA and the hydrogen bonding that holds the strands together, while planning a 3D model project that accurately represents the molecular structure.

Molecular Comparison

Students distinguish DNA from RNA by analyzing differences in sugar, bases, and strand structure, while exploring the functional relationship between the two molecules in protein synthesis.

Extracting Life

Students perform a gross-scale DNA extraction from strawberries to observe the physical properties of clumped nucleic acids in a hands-on laboratory setting.

Central Dogma Mastery

Students map the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein and present their 3D models to demonstrate mastery of the central dogma of biology.