Activities

Whether at home, with friends or in the classroom, our wide range of activities provide you with a more fun and hands-on look at DNA and genetics.

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activities My career in genomics: career profiles Explore the diversity of career pathways into genomics through this collection of career profiles

activities Our Animal DNA Use online bioinformatics tools to find and compare brand new genome sequences from species sequenced as part of Darwin Tree of Life.

activities Tech in the Lab Use a micro:bit to explore how creative coding and sensors can help scientists solve tricky problems in the lab!

activities Genomics and Microbes Pack Explore how genomics and DNA can be used to uncover more about the microbial world than ever before. Discover how genetic information about microbes can be used to progress biomedicine and biotechnology!

activities Construct a Bug Follow the DNA clues to discover what genes an unknown bacterial sample contains!

activities Genomics and Adaptations Pack Discover how genetics underpins adaptations that let creatures survive and thrive!

activities Genome Challenge Discover some of the most fundamental differences between living things and ask the question: what really counts for complexity?

activities Amazing Adaptations Pack Explore the amazing adaptations all around us in the natural world! Many of these are the result of creatures having specific instructions in their genetic code allowing them to live how they do.

activities Classify! What makes a bird a bird or a mammal a mammal? Grouping creatures together can show what links different creatures together.

activities Creature Report Share your research like a scientist would. Research your favourite animal or plant and create a poster to communicate your findings.

activities Whose Poo? Some animals can be hard to find even when they are living right under our noses! However, the things they leave behind can often provide useful clues for understanding what creatures are living in a particular habitat.

activities Marvellous Microbes Pack What are microbes and what do they do? Discover more about the marvellous microbe world and how it has an impact on how we live our lives.

activities Microbe Maker Discover how DNA can provide clues to how microbes work and whether they are ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

activities Genomics and Genes Pack What is genomics? Explore this world-changing area of research and how the DNA code found in all living things impacts on our world.

activities Genome Generation Express Explore current and potential ethical issues in genetics and genomics with this discussion-based activity.

activities DNA Discovery Pack What is DNA and what does it do? Discover more about this marvellous molecule and how it has an impact on the world around us.

activities Recreate A Face Discover how DNA can provide clues to recreate the faces of people from the past.

activities Code Crackers Discover how DNA sequences code for proteins, giving animals different adaptations for survival.

activities Mindfulness Colouring This mindfulness activity helps you explore your creativity whilst creating a calm atmosphere.

activities Extracting DNA from Fruit All living things have DNA. This hands-on activity will enable you to extract DNA from fruit, such as strawberries, using everyday household items.

activities Investigate! What makes us similar and what makes us different? Carry out your own genetic variation investigation using a selection of household items.

activities Function Finders: BLAST! Decode DNA sequences and discover the proteins they code for using online scientific databases.

activities Function Finders Discover how DNA sequences code for proteins with different roles and functions.

activities Genome Generation Debate current and potential issues in genetics and genomics with this card-based discussion activity.

activities Spot the Difference: Zebrafish Step into the shoes of a genetic scientist and carry out a phenotype analysis with the model organism, zebrafish.

activities Malaria Challenge: Managing Malaria Take on the role of a programme manager for a community at high risk of malaria and, using the information provided, work out the best strategy for eliminating the disease from the area.

activities Malaria Challenge: Funding Decisions If you were given £20 million to eradicate malaria, how would you spend it? In this activity you get to find out.

activities Malaria Challenge: The Big Debate What is the best way to eradicate malaria? In this activity you will explore how the different stages of the malaria life cycle can be targeted by different treatments and prevention strategies.

activities Contamination Detectives Play detective and uncover how microbes spread around the surfaces you touch if you don’t wash your hands properly!

activities MRSA Gene Hunt Explore antibiotic resistance by taking a closer look at the genomes of two strains of the bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus.

activities Balloon Bugs Discover more about the basic shape and structure of different bacteria through this balloon modelling activity.

activities Handshake Hazard Discover how microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, can be spread from person to person.

activities Sneeze Zone Through this fun activity you can learn more about the spread of microbes and their potential to infect people.

activities Build a Bug Explore the features of two closely related subspecies of the bacteria, Salmonella. Find out how the differences in their genomes results in their ability to cause two very different diseases.

activities BRAF: From Gene to Cancer Therapy Take on the role of a genome researcher and look at real cancer DNA datasets, taken from cancer patients, to find areas of mutation in the BRAF gene.

activities KRAS: Cancer Mutation Use real genomic data to find mutations in a gene associated with pancreatic, lung and colorectal cancers.

activities Sequence Bracelets In this activity you can make a bracelet of DNA sequence from organisms including a human, chimpanzee, butterfly, carnivorous plant or flesh-eating bacteria.

activities Yummy Gummy DNA Make your own edible DNA double helix out of sweets!

activities Origami DNA This hands-on activity allows you to create your own paper model of a DNA double helix.

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