Mendelian+Genetics+of+Corn+Kit

Ken - Problems with using actual ears of corn = plastic cover can easily be removed; marking with overhead pens comes off on fingers; label interferes with counting. Suggestions= count only a sample of rows on the ear.

Carrie - Using actual ears of corn is a great genetics visual, however, counting the kernels is rather time consuming. I am not sure if the time taken to count could not be utilized in another outlet.

Louann: I have done this one and I found that it's easier if you just pluck off all the kernels and store them in a zip-loc, especially for the dihybrid cross. That way the kids can just separate them into four piles, making it easier to count them. Also, IF you get an exceptionally bright group, you could teach the unit and then just give them the corn and let them work back to determine the P generation.

Emily Zablocki- This lab provides actual corn ears for counting of kernels to illustrate Mendel's concepts. It may be tedious for students to count all of the corn kernels, but it does provide concrete examples for the students.

Deb Semmler- this lab gives students a good feeling for the patience needed for science research. I like to include a lab like this to slow the students down from time to time. I do agree that although the actual ears of corn are fun to work with- after a class or two with teenagers, they will begin to fall apart. Taking the kernels off the cob is a great way to handle it, but then you have the problem of corn kernels all over the floor. But, all in all, it's a lab worth using.

Jim-I like this because it is a real-life example of genetics.

Alvin - Overall this lab seemed to go well. The plastic cover over the corn was coming off already, so it would not hold up in a classroom.