Help support Dr. Kochel's Classroom

While we often expect students to know the structure of DNA as a base for understanding replication, transcription, and translation, they don’t often have a sense of how scientific research led to our current model, or understand that science is a body of knowledge that develops over time. I would love to be able to provide my students an activity that will allow them to engage in the research that led to the current model of DNA’s structure while gaining experience in constructing models that change with new information and developing explanations rooted in evidence. Often, the new information may cause students to have to abandon their models completely as they re-conceptualize the structure with new data. This activity is intended to introduce students to the structure of DNA and to serve as a base for further development of an understanding of how it serves as a code for protein construction and traits. If I were able to get these pop beads, my students would be given clues which represent the different scientific findings and discoveries made that led various scientists to develop the double-helix model of DNA. They would read the clues and use the beads to develop their own models. With each new clue or piece of evidence, they will revise their model. If students just copied a picture from the text or created a model out of candy, they may know the structure, but they miss out on learning how to use evidence to come to these scientific conclusions. I want my students to experience science, and not just memorize facts and structures. Please help supply my students with the materials for this learning experience by providing us with DNA Pop Bead Kits and Connectors.

About my class

While we often expect students to know the structure of DNA as a base for understanding replication, transcription, and translation, they don’t often have a sense of how scientific research led to our current model, or understand that science is a body of knowledge that develops over time. I would love to be able to provide my students an activity that will allow them to engage in the research that led to the current model of DNA’s structure while gaining experience in constructing models that change with new information and developing explanations rooted in evidence. Often, the new information may cause students to have to abandon their models completely as they re-conceptualize the structure with new data. This activity is intended to introduce students to the structure of DNA and to serve as a base for further development of an understanding of how it serves as a code for protein construction and traits. If I were able to get these pop beads, my students would be given clues which represent the different scientific findings and discoveries made that led various scientists to develop the double-helix model of DNA. They would read the clues and use the beads to develop their own models. With each new clue or piece of evidence, they will revise their model. If students just copied a picture from the text or created a model out of candy, they may know the structure, but they miss out on learning how to use evidence to come to these scientific conclusions. I want my students to experience science, and not just memorize facts and structures. Please help supply my students with the materials for this learning experience by providing us with DNA Pop Bead Kits and Connectors.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Dr. Kochel's Classroom Edit display name

Support their classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

Support Dr. Kochel's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

About my class

About my class

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Dr. Kochel's Classroom Edit display name

Support their classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

Support Dr. Kochel's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

About my class

About my class

Share this classroom

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.