‘Split Your Genes’ is an online workshop developed for secondary school students as part of the digital version of the 2020 Science4u School Science Conference. The workshop can be downloaded using the button in the Resources section below. 

Through a series of online talks, videos and quizzes, students will get to grips with some key aspects of genetics and inheritance through learning about sickle cell disorder, which affects red blood cells and makes them less able carry oxygen. 

If you're a student taking part in this workshop, you will hear from pathologists and from people living with sickle cell disorder and will also be offered some optional hands-on activities to try. Students who complete all of the quizzes before 23 October 2020 will be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 Amazon Voucher.

The workshop has been put together in collaboration with haematologists, chemical pathologists and representatives from the Sickle Cell Society. 

Learning Objectives

• Learning about gene inheritance: phenotypes, genotypes, dominant and recessive traits, homozygous and heterozygous allele pairs;
• Understanding how Punnett squares are used in genetics;
• Learning about real-life diseases and the roles pathologists play in testing for these;
• Learning about genetic diversity and natural selection and the role these play in prevalence of disease;
• Learning to question and discuss issues that may affect their own lives and the wider world (in particular in relation to sickle cell disorder). 

Curriculum links

This activity covers the following areas of the KS4 curriculum: 

• Genetics and evolution/Inheritance, chromosomes, DNA and genes;
• Heredity as the process by which genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next;
• The variation between species and between individuals of the same species means some organisms compete more successfully, which can drive natural selection.

Resources

You will need to download and open the 'Split Your Genes' online workshop by clicking the button below. Remember to turn your volume up to hear all the narrations. 
Please note there is a new deadline for a second prize draw so the closing date to complete the quiz is 23rd October 2020, not 15th July as stated in the downloadable presentation below. Winners for the July draw have been drawn separately. Thank you to the University of Westminster for providing a second set of prizes. 

Download the 'Split Your Genes' online workshop here