Alien Babies
Curriculum Connection > Biology 12
DNA Replication
- Describe DNA replication
Protein Synthesis
- Demonstrate an understanding of the process of protein synthesis
What is this activity about?
In this hands-on activity, students will learn about inheritance from parent to child using two parent aliens and their alien babies as a model. Student will “cross” their two alien parents to discover how phenotypic traits end up in the alien offspring.
How to use the activity in the classroom
- Note: Although this activity outlines genotypes and phenotypes, it requires background knowledge of inheritance, including Punnett squares and how to use them in an analysis. This activity should be used after a basic debriefing of inheritance.
- This activity can be used for enrichment in a Grade 12 Biology classroom. It can be introduced after students have learned about DNA and proteins and how they are linked to genotypes and phenotypes. The topics that would have to be introduced prior to the activity are inheritance and the use of Punnett squares.
- This activity can also be used to supplement an IB (International Baccalaureate) or AP (Advanced Placement) Biology curriculum.
Tips and Tricks
It is helpful to slowly go through genotype and phenotype on the chalkboard. Go through some examples with the students….they can volunteer themselves (e.g.: for eye colour, etc.) or you can do yourself as an example for a few traits. Write out the genotype and the phenotype for each example in a similar way as the worksheets so that when they do the activity they know how to identify genotypes and phenotypes.
If some students finish fast or want extra work they can design their own alien from scratch and assign genotypes/phenotypes (e.g.: make a new activity).
To encourage them to draw the final product make sure enough time is allotted to do this. Also, you can encourage participation in the drawing by having them put them on display for the class to see and vote on the best one (and a prize for the winner).
