Genetics and Genomics: If you look around a crowded room, you'll notice many differences from person-to-person. The key to understanding these differences lies in our genes. Discoveries surrounding genetics have allowed scientists to solve problems ranging from plant breeding to human disease. In this week-long summer course, students will gain an understanding of how differences in our genes can affect how our bodies work. Specifically, students will develop familiarity with the structure and function of the DNA molecule as they build simplified models of double stranded DNA. Students will identify genetic traits using a traits bingo activity and demonstrate how they are passed from parents to their offspring using an alien genetics activity. Students will master the scientific method by tackling real-life scenarios to obtain and analyze data. In this course, students will gain hands-on experience handling a live model organism (the fruit fly) and sorting flies under the microscope based on gender and mutation status. Students will also conduct the following physical performance test using normal and mutant fruit flies: climbing speed, endurance test, and strength test. The course will culminate with a video documentary where students will share how much they learned about how differences in our DNA can affect how our bodies work.
LUNCH: Students staying for full day or for both morning and afternoon sessions can bring or buy their lunch. All students will eat lunch on Campus in The Commons, a small food court.
