Title for lesson: Cartoon Fun – Learn about the DNA code

 BIGGEST EVER MATHS & SCIENCE LESSON GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT NOVEMBER 2015 Title for lesson: Cartoon Fun – Learn about the DNA code Resources: Recipe recording sheets, face templates, DNA “recipes” for eyes, eyebrows, noses, mouths and hair, one set for each group. One prepared set for demonstration. Scissors, glue, colouring pencils. Method: Look at different faces – are they the same? What do you notice? Why do people look different? Introduce role of DNA DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid. It is a long thin rope-­‐like molecule and we all have DNA in every cell in our bodies. Use the models made in the 1st part of the lesson or show the picture. Genes are made of lengths or segments of DNA. Different sets of genes make up the “recipes” for different living things. Put learners into pairs. Ask each pair to label themselves as a base pair: either A for adenine with T for thymine or C for Cytosine with G for Guanine. Then ask pairs to form larger groups and line up, one pair behind another, to represent a DNA strand. Have children then call out their pairs and record this as a sequence on the board e.g. TA, CG, AT, GC, CG. Explain that long sequences of base pairs give codes for features e.g. eye colour. Explain that everybody’s DNA sequence has a different order which is why we all look different. Make a face and record the “recipe” Show the class a face that has already been created and go through how to record the “recipes” on the recording sheet. Make it clear that the real recipe is very long (millions of letters) and you are giving them short recipes to make it simple. Each group will need: 1 cartoon fun recipe recording sheet 1 cartoon worksheet with the fun face, eyes, eyebrows, noses, mouths and hair. Divide the class into groups of 4 or 5 learners so that each learner chooses and cuts out either one of the eyebrows, or noses, or mouths, or hairstyles. With groups of 5 learners one can be responsible for recording the recipes. With groups of 4 learners each learner can record their own recipe. Each learner must choose one of their set of features, cut it out, perhaps colour it, and glue to the face template. Each group must record all the DNA sequences chosen on the recipe recording sheet and check it. Once faces and recipes are complete, create a cartoon gallery – what do you notice? Is each face different because its recipe is different? Extension: swap recipes with a different group and each group then uses the recipe to build that face. Discussion topic: What other characteristics are controlled by DNA? What factors in our lives are controlled by the environment? Follow-­‐up suggestions: Investigate what happens when the recipe is changed? What about identical twins? Create a new face from a mum and dad face to show the link between DNA and inheritance? Match the recipe to the correct face, given a DNA key for different features (link to DNA profiling by scientists and detectives). Cartoon fun resource sheets are provided by ‘Discovering DNA: The recipe for life’ created by Dr Sue Assinder, University of Wales, Bangor. http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/engagement/schools/keystage3/discovering-­‐dna/