The Dragon Project: Unveiling the Secrets of Genetics Through Imaginary Creatures

The Dragon Project is an innovative educational tool designed to help students understand complex genetics concepts by exploring the inheritance patterns of multiple genes in imaginary dragons. This engaging and interactive curriculum allows students to simulate meiosis and fertilization, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of how genetic traits are passed down from one generation to the next.

In this project, students will learn about dominant and recessive alleles, incomplete dominance, and epistasis as they work together with their partners to produce a baby dragon. By manipulating alleles, they will create corresponding changes in the dragon's physical appearance, demonstrating the relationship between genotype and phenotype.

The Dragon Project consists of three main activities: 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3. In activity 5.1, students will study the patterns of inheritance of multiple genes in dragons, exploring both sex-linked and autosomal dominant and recessive traits. This activity provides a solid foundation for understanding the behavior of chromosomes during meiosis and fertilization.

Activity 5.2 is where students will put their knowledge into practice by working with a partner to produce a baby dragon. They will see firsthand how the patterns of inheritance are determined by the behavior of chromosomes during these biological processes.

Finally, in activity 5.3, students will review meiosis and fertilization for dragons with single-chromosome genes, simulating the process to investigate the inheritance of multiple genes. This hands-on approach enables students to develop a deeper understanding of the genetic traits that are passed down from one generation to the next.

The Dragon Project kit includes two teacher guides, providing additional resources and feedback on setting up and delivering this curriculum. The activities also feature visualizations, allowing students to manipulate alleles and observe the corresponding changes in the dragon's physical appearance.

Through the Dragon Project, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of genetics concepts, including dominant and recessive alleles, incomplete dominance, epistasis, meiosis, fertilization, and the relationship between genotype and phenotype. By exploring these complex topics through an imaginative and interactive approach, students will develop a lifelong appreciation for the wonders of genetics.

Dragon project traits