Here are several quick, up-to-date links to DNA Day resources designed to help you involve your classroom, school, group or community in this year’s DNA Day activities.
National DNA Day celebrates the promise of DNA and genetics for all and has been successfully included annually in K-16 classrooms since the national program started over five years ago.
Get Your Group or Classroom Up and Running for National DNA Day:
Overview of DNA Day: National DNA Day is a unique day when students, teachers and the public can learn more about genetics and genomics! The day commemorates the description of DNA’s double helix (April, 1953) and the completion of the Human Genome Project (April, 2003).
DNA Day Classroom Resources: A number of resources for those teaching and learning about genetics and genomics. A ready-made DNA Day slide show, animations, a Talking Glossary of Genetics, a “Guide to Your Genome,” an animated timeline of genetics from Mendel to the 21st century, podcasts, and much more!
Visit Our Online Chatroom With Your Class and Ask an Expert a Question:
Each year, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) sponsors a day-long DNA Day Chatroom where leading genetics researchers are online to answer student and teacher questions for 10 hours straight. This year, you and your students can join genomic researchers in our online chatroom on Friday, April 23 from 8:00 am EST until 6:00 pm EST.
Become Your State’s National DNA School for 2010:
This year one of our goals is to have our chatroom experts answer questions from at least one school in every state, plus Puerto Rico and Guam. Although the chatroom will be open public, questions from schools who pre-register for the chatroom will be given preferred treatment assuring your questions are answered in a timeframe that your students can see live on the Internet.
How do I sign up my class? Simply send an email to Carla Easter at the NHGRI (easterc@mail.nih.gov). Simple directions will be sent to you in a return email on how to sign-up.
DNA Day on Facebook: National DNA Day is on Facebook. Help us raise awareness of DNA Day, and keep abreast of new ideas and tips for DNA Day as the happen! Become a fan!
Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms: If you haven’t seen it yet, here is our best new learning tool for understanding genetic terms. Over 250 terms explained by friendly, normal-talking researchers in short audio files. Plus color illustrations, 3D animations and a random 10-question quiz.
Join the Community of Genetic Educators: Free, run by NIH as a service to genetics educators at all levels, here you can download the latest slides and illustrations, meet and contact people like you who teach some aspect of genetics, and get the latest news and tools. Over 600 teachers are now members, join us. Contribute – collaborate – share- learn.
Don’t see it? Confused? Have something to share? Excited and want to do more? Contact Carla Easter at the NIH.