Dragon Genetics

 

Rebecca Williams & Mark Walvoord

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2017, Volume 38

Abstract

Genetics is a topic that most students enjoy but also have trouble understanding. This set of laboratories teaches basic genetics concepts using a fun model, dragons. Groups of students create their own dragon using popsicle sticks as chromosomes, emphasizing the randomness of inheritance. These baby dragons are then used to answer guided question sets to help students learn some of the more difficult introductory genetics concepts. During the second lab students interact with other groups to find a mate for their dragon and to do an activity for understanding test crosses. This lab is based on “Dragon Genetics” by Dr. Pamela Esprivalo Harrell, updated with more reflective prompts to address common student misconceptions.

Keywords:  genetics, dominance, active learning, homozygous, heterozygous, recessive, dragons

University of Houston (2016)