Mendel's Minions

Watch not less than three hours total of shows or documentaries that discuss genetics and/or genomics. Then do the following:

Make a list of at least five questions or ideas from the show(s) you watched.

Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

Some examples include—but are not limited to—shows found on PBS (NOVA: “Cracking the Code”), Discovery Channel, Science Channel, National Geographic Channel, and TED Talks (online videos). The Human Genome Institute at NIH website at www.genome.gov/10000002/education/ has educational information and activities related with human genetics. You may choose to watch a live performance or movie developed by a local science museum or state or federal agency. You may watch online productions with your counselor’s approval and under your parent’s or guardian’s supervision.

Read (not less than three hours total) about genetics or genomics. Then do the following:

Make a list of at least five questions or ideas from each article.

Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

Examples of magazines include—but are not limited to—Odyssey, Popular Science, Science Illustrated, Natural History, Scientific American, Nature Conservancy, Sage, The Scientist, and Smithsonian. Books might include The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks or The Gene: An Intimate History.

Do a combination of reading and watching (not less than three hours total). Then do the following:

Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from each article or show.

Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

Complete two of the following activities:

Teach the basics of genetic inheritance to your patrol (or similar group), using gummy bear genetics or a similar method.

Extract DNA from saliva, strawberries, or a banana.

Grow at least three generations of pea plants and explain the inheritance patterns.

Create a three-dimensional model of DNA and explain how it leads to the production of proteins.

Present a report of at least 800 words or 10 minutes (with visual aids) on one of the following topics. Make sure to include the ethical issues involved in your topic. If possible, present your report to your unit or another group in addition to presenting to your counselor.

Mendelian inheritance, DNA, RNA, genetics, genomics, sequencing, and Punnett squares

Genetic diseases, personalized medicine, and genetic counseling

Genetically modified food, transgenic animals, and hybrid foods

Use of large genetics databases for forensic analysis/solving crimes, genealogical research, or medical studies (The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC), Exome Aggregation Consortioum (ExAC), 100,000 Genomes Project, mitochondrial DNA, etc.)

Pharmacogenetics and oncogenomics

Human Genome Project

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly-Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)

Biotechnology, biologics, and biosimilar drugs

Another related topic approved by your counselor in advance

Visit a place where genetic and genomic information is being used, e.g., a biotechnology company or research lab, genetic counselor, a physician’s office, crime lab, zoo, natural history museum, farm, hatchery, nursery/greenhouse, etc. Discuss the work done there with one (or more) of the employees. Find out how they are using genetic information, how it has changed their work, and what they look forward to in the future.

Discuss with your counselor how genetics and genomics affect your everyday life and how you think it will affect your life in the future.