Who Am I?

Why do I have brown eyes? Why does my friend have curly hair, and mine is straight? It’s natural for young children to notice similarities and differences between themselves and friends or family. For parents and caregivers, answering the question of why they might have longer legs or more dimples is a great opportunity for a science lesson on DNA.

Take the opportunity to explain to your child what DNA is (or deoxyribonucleic acid, for the kids who love big words). Simply put, DNA is the body’s recipe for just about everything in our bodies. Found within our cells, DNA provides the ingredients for our hair and eye color, how tall we will be and for some of us, if we will need glasses or braces. There are many traits that are linked to our genetics. For older children, you can also explain that our genes are passed down from our parents, which is why we sometimes have the same nose as our parents. Our DNA is also referred to by its shape, a double helix. Our genes are matched pairs of chemicals that make long, twisty strands in our bodies.

Because DNA is so small, a model is a great way to introduce children to the topic. To make a candy DNA model, you will need red licorice sticks, four different colors of gummy bears and toothpicks. The licorice will provide the structure for your DNA strand, and the gummy bears will be matched pairs. Have your child lay two licorice strands side by side, about one toothpick width’s part. As our DNA combines in pairs, put two different colors of gummy bears on each toothpick. For older children, have them match the same colors together, to show that our DNA combines in a pattern. Stick the end of each gummy bear toothpick into the licorice, to make a ladder shape. The last step is to

carefully pick up the model and give it a gentle twist. It’s DNA! Of course, you can also remove the toothpicks and have a tasty DNA snack.

From November 6, 2018 through January 6, 2019, see more extreme biology in an exhibit called The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not®. Why did the world’s tallest man grow to be 8 feet 11 inches tall? Visitors will be surprised when the robotic Mr. Robert Wadlow stands up from his gigantic chair. Children can measure themselves on a height chart, use the “How Tall Will You Be?” computer stations and learn how tall they might grow to be as an adult. Have fun with comparisons and projections.

PHOTO CREDIT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS