Tricia’s Big Idea: Tricia’s class used marshmallow “astronauts” (or Mallownauts) as models for studying genetics. Students discussed what traits were exhibited by successful Mallownauts and differentiated between acquired and genetically inherited traits; investigated how Mallownauts reproduce by learning about different types of reproduction; demonstrated how genetic information is transmitted via meiosis; created 2D and 3D models of DNA; explored how Mallownaut DNA interacts with a virus; and used Punnett squares to predict inherited traits and selectively breed the perfect Mallownaut.
Interesting Facts: In 2017 Tricia won a grant to explore the Galapagos Islands during the summer. She brought excitement and information from the trip back to her Evolution lessons in the classroom.