To celebrate DNA Day on April 25, use these plug-and-play activities!

• Make a Candy DNA Model: In this activity, youth use pieces of candy to make a model for a short section of DNA—enough to get a sense of what DNA is like and how it encodes life.

• As a part of Illumina’s The Future is Bright Campaign celebrating DNA Day, Million Girls Moonshot is partnering to provide a number of resources for programs to celebrate DNA Day! Featured opportunities include a Virtual Lab Simulation; a Virtual Field trip; and DNA Decoded, ready to go, lessons and activities for educators!

•  Investigate Alien Genetics: This activity uses an alien model to demonstrate how genes or physical traits are passed on from parents to their offspring. How similar will alien siblings look? OR Check out Baby Lab and use probability to predict genetic traits.

• Effects of Genetic Engineering: Farmers have been using “genetic engineering” for hundreds (possibly even thousands!) of years.  They use the seeds of the most appealing plant to grow the next generation of that particular type of plant. This activity allows participants to discuss the advantages.  

• Make String from Algae: The seaweed in the ocean (or even eaten as a snack) is inspiring innovators to imagine new materials. Large brown algae, like kelp, contains polymers—long chains of molecules—that are more environmentally friendly than the ones in most plastics. These natural polymers (alginates) could eventually be used to create sustainable everyday objects. Try your hand at using a bit of chemistry to turn biodegradable polymers from algae into a custom string!