Our new Year 12 Biology students recently participated in various hands on learning experiences.

Students use lollies to boost their learnings of DNA replication

Our new Year 12 Biology students recently explored the complex process of DNA replication using a combination of fun learning aids including snake lollies, tooth picks and jelly jubes!

As part of their biology curriculum, the class learned how DNA unwinds, replicates and forms identical copies. To make the lesson more fun and memorable, the students used snakes to represent the DNA strands and jelly jubes as the nucleotide bases attached to tooth picks.

By physically pairing the jubes and unzipping the snakes, the students created a hands-on demonstration of the DNA replication process.

This creative approach helped students visualise the steps of DNA replication and fostered a deeper understanding of the biological process. Also the sweet treats provided a tasty incentive and kept students highly engaged throughout this model-making activity.

Students Explore the Key Stages of Mitosis and Meiosis with the Help of Pipe Cleaners

Students used colourful pipe cleaners to create engaging representations of models of cell division, demonstrating the key stages of mitosis and meiosis. The pipe cleaners represented chromosomes, with different colours or lengths used to distinguish between homologous pairs and sister chromatids.

This approach helped students visualize key differences between mitosis (producing two identical cells) and meiosis (resulting in four genetically unique gametes).

Year 12 Biology Students demonstrate the key stages of mitosis and meiosis.