Science 4 Inquiry
The Monster Mash
Young scientists create monsters by applying their knowledge of transcription and translation. They randomly find the DNA, assign it a codon, and build monsters piece by piece.
Curated OER
Transcription Translation Tango
Students choreograph and perform a dance to simulate transcription/translation of the DNA molecule to make a protein
Concord Consortium
DNA to Protein
Starting from a view of cells, a constructive simulation shows every step of building a new protein. It walks through transcription, translation, building amino acids, and folding the protein. Viewers control if it plays as a video or...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Viral DNA Integration
How do viruses hijack our cells to produce more viral particles? Junior immunologists model how viral RNA integrates into a host cell's DNA using pop beads and use interactive tools to explore a virus' genome. The teacher's guide...
Curated OER
Genes, DNA, and Mutations
With paper DNA patterns, budding biologists model translation and base-pair substitution within sequences. Through these activities, they examine how mutations can result in genetic disorders. The modeling that occurs is an enlightening...
Concord Consortium
Mutations
Are some mutations more damaging than others? An engaging simulation encourages scholars to alter DNA through insertion, deletion, and substitution. It then forms resulting amino acids—or not—and the resulting protein—or not—depending on...
Curated OER
RNA
Learners explain how cells reproduce. In this biology instructional activity, students transcribe and translate a gene. They discuss and compare their answers in class.