Name: Punnett Squares An animal geneticist studies in animals. Genes are passed from parent to offspring and determine the traits an has. For example, fur color, scale patterns, and fin length are all determined by genes.

Step 1: Read information about Genes Read the information below about genes. Then, answer the questions on the next page.

Types of Genes There are two types of genes. One type of is called a dominant gene. Dominant genes are genes that always “show up.” This means that when a child inherits a dominant gene from a parent, the child will have that trait. For example, dark (brown) eyes is a dominant gene. This means that if a child inherits a dark-eyed gene from a parent, the child will have dark eyes.

Another type of gene is called a recessive gene. Recessive genes only show up if there are no dominant genes. For example, light (blue/green) eyes is a recessive gene. This means that only a child that inherits a light-eyed gene from both parents will have light eyes.

Important note! Dominant genes cover up any recessive genes. This means if a child inherits one dark-eyed gene and one light-eyed gene, the child will have dark eyes. This is because the dark-eyed gene is dominant.

Name: Punnett Squares Writing Genes Each gene is written as two letters next to each other. This is because each gene has two alleles for a trait. An allele is a piece of genetic information that came from one parent. This means that each gene has genetic information from a mother and a father. Uppercase letters represent dominant genes. Lowercase letters represent recessive genes.

Each of the three examples below show a possible gene combination for eye color in . Dark eyes are dominant and represented with an upper case E. Light eyes are recessive and represented with a lower case e. E E E e e e This person received a dominant, dark- This person received a dominant, dark- This person received a recessive, light- eyed gene from each parent. eyed gene from one parent and a eyed gene from each parent. This person has brown eyes. recessive, light-eyed gene from the This person has light eyes. This person can only pass on dark- other parent. This person can only pass on light- eyed genes. This person has brown eyes. eyed genes. This person can pass on dark or light eyed genes.

Read each statement below. If the statement is true, write "True" on the line. If the statement is false, write "False" on the line.

1. A recessive gene can only show up if there is a dominant gene present. ______

2. If a child inherits one dominant gene and one recessive gene for a trait, the child will show the dominant trait. ______

3. Two blue-eyed parents can have a brown-eyed child. ______

4. A child with one brown-eyed gene and one blue-eyed gene will have one eye of each color. ______

5. A capital letter represents a dominant gene. ______Name: Punnett Squares

Step 2: Learn about Punnett Squares Read the information below about Punnett squares.

Geneticists use tools to help them predict which traits offspring will inherit from parents. One tool geneticists use is called a Punnett square. A Punnett square is a diagram that lets geneticists see the different gene combinations children could inherit from their parents. The diagram has four boxes. Information about the mother’s and father’s genes go on the outside of the boxes. Then, the genes are combined inside the boxes to show each possible offspring.

Here is an example of how to make a Punnett square:

Learn about the father and mother A brown fur father mouse (Ff) mates with a yellow fur mother mouse (ff). Father Mother

Learn about which allele is recessive and which is dominant In mice, brown fur color (F) is dominant to yellow fur color (f). F f

Draw a Punnett square and write allele information outside of square The father organism’s alleles are written across the top of the Punnett square. The mother organism’s alleles are written down the left side of the Punnett square. Father's Genes { F f

f s e n e G

s ' r e h

t { o M f Name:

Punnett Squares F f

Complete Punnett square f F f To complete a Punnett square, we use each parent’s genes to fill in the center boxes. The father’s alleles are written in the two boxes below each allele. f F f

F f

f F f f f The mother’s alleles are written in the two boxes to the right of each allele.

f F f f f

Analyze Punnett square The finished Punnett square can be used to tell what the offspring might look like. Since there are 4 boxes, each box represents a 1 in 4 or 25% chance that the offspring will have that set of genes.

F f

f F f f f

f F f f f

In this example:

0 out of 4 of the boxes has an offspring with the genes of FF. 2 out of 4 of the boxes have an offspring with the genes of Ff. These mouse offspring will have brown fur. 2 out of 4 of the boxes has an offspring with the genes of ff. These mouse offspring will have brown fur. Name: Punnett Squares

Step 3: Make your own Punnett square Imagine that you are an animal geneticist who is learning about cats. In cats, there is a genetic condition called polydactyly. Polydactyly is extra toes on each paw. Polydactyly is passed from parent to offspring.

Follow the steps below to make a Punnet square to figure out the chance of two polydactyl cats having polydactyl offspring.

Learn about the father and mother A polydactyl father (Tt) mates with a polydactyl (Tt) mother.

Learn about which allele is recessive and which is dominant Polydactyly is dominant (T) to non-polydactyly (t)

Complete Punnett square Write the allele information for the mother cat and father cat outside of square. Then, complete the square to figure out what the offspring might look like. Name: Punnett Squares

Analyze Punnet square Answer the questions below about what the cat offspring might look like.

1. By looking at the offspring's genes, how do you know that it has polydactyly?

2. There is a ______out of ______chance that an offspring cat will have the genes TT.

3. There is a ______out of ______chance that an offspring cat will have polydactyly.

4. Can two parents that have polydactyly have an offspring that does not have polydactyly? Why or why not?

5. Can two parents that do not have polydactyly have an offspring that does have polydactyly? Why or why not? Name: Practicing Punnett Squares

This worksheet is for students who have already been introduced to Punnett squares. If you have not learned about Punnett squares or need to review what they are, go to the worksheet called “Animal Geneticist: Introduction to Punnett Squares.”

An animal geneticist studies genes in animals. Genes are passed from parent to offspring and determine the traits an organism has. For example, fur color, scale patterns, and fin length are all determined by genes.

Today, you will think like an animal geneticist and use a Punnet Square to figure out what gene combinations an offspring could inherit from their parents.

Step 1: Learn about Zimoccas Imagine that a new species of animal, called Zimmocas, was just discovered in the forest. Zimmocas are tiny that live in the roots of trees. The chart below has information about the genes carried by the Zimmocas. Use the information in the chart to create your Punnett squares in the next step.

Characteristic Dominant Gene Recessive Gene

Body Color Pink (B) Teal (b)

Horn Number Two Horns (H) One Horn (h)

Number of Eyes One Eye (E) Six Eyes (e)

Teeth Shape Pointed Teeth (T) Square Teeth (t)

Arms No Arms (A) Arms (a) Name: Practicing Punnett Squares Step 2: Create a Punnet Square Below are pictures of two parent Zimmocas. There is also information about the genotype and phenotype of each parent. A genotype is the genes of an organism. It is shown using two letters. For example EE, Ee, or ee. A phenotype is how the organism looks on the outside. For example, one eye or six eyes. Use the information below to fill in the Punnett squares on the next page and figure out what the Zimmoca offspring might look like.

Father Mother

Characteristic Genotype Phenotype Characteristic Genotype Phenotype

Body Color bb Teal Body Body Color Bb Pink Body

Horn Number Hh Two Horns Horn Number hh One Horn

Number of Eyes Ee One Eye Number of Eyes ee Six Eyes

Teeth Shape tt Square Teeth Teeth Shape TT Pointed Teeth

Arms AA Arms Arms aa No Arms Name: Practicing Punnett Squares

Body Color Horn Number Eye Number

Teeth Shape Arms

Use the Punnett squares above to fill in the following information about the possible Zimmoca offspring.

There is a _____ out of _____ chance the Zimmoca parents will have an offspring with a pink body.

There is a _____ out of _____ chance the Zimmoca parents will have an offspring with one horn.

There is a _____ out of _____ chance the Zimmoca parents will have an offspring with one eye.

There is a _____ out of _____ chance the Zimmoca parents will have an offspring with square teeth.

There is a _____ out of _____ chance the Zimmoca parents will have an offspring with arms. Name: Practicing Punnett Squares Step 3: Choose Zimmoca Offspring Genes When parent genes combine to create an offspring, random genes are passed down. Using the Punnett squares from step 2, choose which gene combination your Zimmoca offspring receives from its parents. Note: You may choose any combination you see within the Punnett square. You may not choose a gene combination that does not appear in your Punnett square. List the genes your baby Zimmoca has below.

Characteristic Genotype Phenotype

Body Color

Horn Number

Number of Eyes

Teeth Shape

Arms Name: Practicing Punnett Squares Step 4: Draw your Zimmoca Offspring Using the genes you have selected above, draw your Zimmoca offspring in the box below. Be sure to include all 5 traits you have chosen. Name: Parts of a Cell A character designer creates characters that are found in animated films, video games, and apps. Companies, like Disney, Marvel, and Netflix, hire character designers. Character designers do not just design what the characters will look like. They also develop characters’ personalities and moods. They do this by drawing the characters with facial expressions and in certain poses and outfits.

Today, you will be a character designer and create the characters for a new animated movie called Cellular City. The movie will be about a cell that is turned into a city. Each of the organelles in the cell will become a person who works in the city. Your job is to learn about the different organelles found in a human cell. Then, you will turn each organelle into a human-like character who will work in the city.

Step 1: Learning About Parts of a Human Cell A human cell is called a eukaryotic cell. This means that its nucleus is surrounded by a membrane, called the nuclear membrane. Eukaryotic cells contain structures, called organelles, that make sure the cell works properly. Below are descriptions of some organelles found in a eukaryotic cell.

Below is a chart explaining the name of an organelle and its function, or how it works. Read through the organelles and its function. Name: Parts of a Cell Below is a diagram of a eukaryotic cell with the different organelles labeled. Take a look at the shape of each organelle. The shape of the organelle helps it do its job. In the far right column of the chart above, write how you think the shape of this organelle helps the organelle function.

Step 2: Design characters for movie You will design characters cards for five organelles. A character card has information about the character’s job, personality, and what it looks like. Your character cards must have the following:

Job that the person completes in the city. The job should be related to how the organelle functions in the cell. Description of job and tasks the person does while on the job. Personality traits that person has, such as friendly, smart, hard-working, creative. The personality traits should relate to the job the person has. Drawing of person.

Below is an example of the nucleus character card.

Organelle: Nucleus Character drawing: Job: Mayor

Description of job: The mayor is in charge of the city and tells people what to do.

Example of task: The mayor helps write laws that tell the people in a city what they can and cannot do, like how fast they can drive. Personality traits: Outgoing, strong-willed, caring, ambitious. Name: Parts of a Cell

Organelle: Job: Description of job:

Example of task:

Personality traits:

Organelle: Job: Description of job:

Example of task:

Personality traits:

Organelle: Job: Description of job:

Example of task:

Personality traits: Name: Parts of a Cell

Organelle: Job: Description of job:

Example of task:

Personality traits:

Organelle: Job: Description of job:

Example of task:

Personality traits: Name: Solar Eclipses An app developer creates apps that people use on tablets and phones. Some app developers create apps that are used by or by students in science class. Some app developers create apps to track solar eclipses. A solar eclipse is an event that occurs when the moon gets between Earth and the sun. When this happens, the moon casts a shadow over Earth. Read the article about an app developer who is creating an app about solar eclipses. Then, look at the images and answer the questions below.

During a total solar eclipse, the shadow of During a partial solar eclipse, the shadow the moon completely blocks the light of of the moon partially blocks the light of the Sun. When this happens, the moon, the sun. When this happens, the moon Earth and Sun are aligned. It is similar to and the Sun are not quite lined up. It is when you can’t see the TV screen because similar to when you can only see part of someone’s head is blocking your view. the TV screen because ‘ head is only blocking part of your view.

1. What is a citizen science project? Give an example of a citizen science project. You can use an example from the article or you can make up your own.

2. Why would it be useful for an app developer to create a citizen science app to track solar eclipses?

Name: Solar Eclipses

3. Is there light visible during a total solar eclipse? Explain your reasoning.

4. How is a total solar eclipse different from a partial solar eclipse? Explain your reasoning.

5. True or False: Animals’ behavior can change during a solar eclipse.

6. Bonus question: Comparing a total and partial solar eclipse to someone’s head blocking a TV screen is an analogy. Can you think of another analogy to describe the difference between a total and partial solar eclipse?

Trevor the Meteorologist : Air Masses and Weather Who is Trevor?

Hi, I'm Trevor! I am a meteorologist. A meteorologist studies the weather and climate in an area.

Climate describes the weather in a certain location over an extended period of time. For example, the Bahamas has a warm, wet climate, while Antarctica has a cold climate.

DID YOU KNOW? Only 7% of meteorologists work in television broadcasting. Most people think that all meteorologists work on weather channels. However, this is not true! Most meteorologists work for the government or at a university doing research. Reasons I Love My Job

Curious about meteorologists? Check out three reasons I love my job!

1.Using Cool Equipment As a meteorologist, I use a lot of equipment! Here are some examples!

Weather Satellites: A satellite is a device that monitors Earth's weather and climate from space. The device collects data that meteorologists and other scientists can analyze. For example, weather satellites collect data on forest fires and tornadoes.

Weather Balloons: A weather balloon is an instrument that is attached to a balloon. Weather balloons float into the sky and collect data about temperature, wind, and humidity.

Fun Fact:

The National Weather Service has directions on their website about what to do if you find a weather balloon on the ground! Each weather balloon has a small mailbag included that you can use to mail back the balloon! Learn more at https://www.weather.gov/upperair/radiosonde. Reasons I Love My Job

2. Investigating Crimes Did you know that meteorologists are like weather detectives? Some meteorologists specialize in a field called forensic meteorology. A forensic meteorologist figures out what the weather was like at a certain point in time. Severe weather can cause accidents and damages to people's property, like their homes or cars. A forensic meteorologist might be contacted by a lawyer or police officer who is investigating an accident, like a roof caving in on a house. The meteorologist might be called to testify in court about whether severe weather caused the roof to cave in.

Here is an example!

Recently, I was asked by the California State Police to investigate a car accident that occurred in San Bernadino. The driver of the car claimed that the weather was so severe that he couldn't see, which made him crash the car. I had to investigate the accident and figure out if the weather was the cause of the car crash. Reasons I Love My Job

To investigate the accident, I used my knowledge about air masses. Air masses are large bundles of air in the atmosphere. Air masses are made of air that is approximately the same temperature and humidity, which is the amount of moisture in the air. As air masses move around each other and mix together, there can be a change in weather.

After looking at weather data from the week of the accident, I saw that a cold dry air mass from Alaska was moving toward California. It collided with a warmer air mass on the night of the accident and created a very severe thunderstorm.

This storm would have brought extreme winds, heavy rain and hail, and maybe even a tornado. Even the best drivers would struggle in weather like this! In the report that I gave to the California State Police, I said that the weather most likely caused the accident. Reasons I Love My Job

3. Researching Weather on Other Planets

Some meteorologists learn about weather on other planets, like Mars. How cool is that? Meteorologists are trying to figure out whether humans would be able to live on Mars one day.

So far, meteorologists have found out that Mars has seasons, just like Earth. This is because Mars sits on a tilt in comparison to the sun, so different parts of the planet are heated at different times. However, this uneven heating can lead to very powerful winds! The winds cause dust storms, where dust can blow 24 miles high and take weeks to settle! Name: Geologic Time Scale Geologists are scientists who study Earth and how it has changed over time. Some geologists study the geologic time scale. The geologic time scale is a way or organizing when different events occurred in Earth’s history. Read the article attached about the geologic time scale. Then, answer the questions below.

1. Today all of the continents, like North America, South America and Europe, are separate from each other. How were they different millions of years ago?

2. How do geologists explain that rocks found in Australia are the same as rocks found in the Grand Canyon?

3. What does continental drift refer to?

Name: Geologic Time Scale 4. Take a look at this picture of the Grand Canyon. There are different layers. Are the oldest layers at the bottom or the top of the canyon? Explain your reasoning.

S ource: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/geologicformations.htm

5. Why do you think geologists use the geologic time scale to talk about events that occurred in Earth’s history?

Panit the Geologist: Understanding How the Earth Changes Meet Panit!

If you are like me, you may have collected rocks as a kid. I liked to skip them across the pond and look at the different shapes and colors. Now, I get to do this for my job! I am a geologist. Geologists are scientists who study the Earth and how it changes over time.

One way to analyze how the Earth changes over time is to look at the geologic time scale (see photo right). The geologic time scale is a way of organizing when different events on Earth occurred. The geologic time scale is broken down in different time periods. These time periods have names, like Triassic and Cambrian.

I use the geologic time scale to analyze when different layers of rocks were created. These layers of rock are called “rock strata.” We find older rock strata as we dig deeper into the Earth. Photo Credit: Ray Troll

The Grand Canyon (see photo left) is a great example of rock strata. We can easily see the different layers of rock because they are in different colors. The rocks at the bottom of the canyon are from the pre-Cambrian period or Proterzoic period. The top layers of rock are from the Permian time period. This means that the Grand Canyon rocks are over 70 million years old! Creating A Youtube Channel

Right now, I am creating a Youtube Channel with the Natural History Museum. The Natural History Museum is excited to have a Youtube Channel so people can learn about the geological time scale without coming into the museum. Families and students around the world will be able to go on Youtube and watch videos to learn about how the Earth has changed over time.

Naming My Youtube Channel

I need to come up with a name for my Youtube Channel. The channel name needs to be easy to remember and tell people what the channel is about. I asked my followers on Instagram to help me come up with a name. Here are a few of the names people came up with:

The Panit's Rock Roc kin' Geologist Adventures Geol ogy Online

I decided to go with Panit's Rock Adventures! It tells people what my name is and that the channel is about rocks and adventures.

FUN FACT! Many scientists have Instagram and Youtube accounts. There is even a “hashtag” on Instagram called “ selfies.” I post selfies and other photos of my adventures each week so my followers know that being a scientist is a ton of fun. First Youtube Video

The first video on my Youtube Channel will be called “The Grand Canyon’s Missing Piece.” I will be talking about the connection between the Grand Canyon in Arizona and a rock formation on the island of Tasmania, near Australia. How crazy that rocks on two different sides of the world are related to each other!

The photo on the left shows the Rocky Cape Group in Tasmania. The photo on the right is of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, 8000 miles away from Tasmania.

Here are the main points I will be covering in the video:

Geologists in Australia found rock formations that were over a billion years old. However, these rock formations didn't match other ancient rocks around them. The scientists tested the chemicals and structure of the Rocky Cape Group and found that they were similar to the oldest layers of the Grand Canyon. Both sets of rocks are from the Mesoproterozoic era of the geographic time scale. These results suggest that Australia and the North American continent, where the United States is located, were once one large continent! This continent was called Rodinia and broke apart more than 800 million years ago!

Second Youtube Video

My second video will be called “Using the Geologic Time Scale.” It will focus on how geologists use the geological time scale and theories to understand how the Earth has changed over time.

Here are the main points I will be covering in the video:

Geologic Time Scale: When we study the rock strata of the Grand Canyon, we find the newest fossils in the layers closest to the surface. These fossils are only 270 million years old. But by the time we get down to the bottom of the canyon, we find the oldest fossils from 1.8 billion years ago! Photo Credit: Luca Galuzzi, Diagram, USGS Continental Drift: Continental drift is the theory that continents moved across the surface of the Earth over millions and billions of years. Scientists believe that a supercontinent, one really large continent, called Pangea existed between 335 and 175 million years ago. Before Pangea, another supercontinent existed called Rodinia. On Rodinia, the

Grand Canyon and Rocky Cape Photo Credit: Roy W. Schlische, Rutgers University Group were connected. How This photo (above) shows the shape of Pangea, the crazy to think that the Earth was supercontinent from the Triassic time period. Geologists believe that continents that are now not always made up of 7 thousands of miles apart were once connected. This is separate continents? how rock formations on opposite sides of the world can be related to each other. Name: Air Masses, Climate, and Weather Meteorologists are scientists who study the weather and climate in an area. Read the article attached about meteorologists. Then, answer the questions below.

1. Why does Mars have different seasons just like Earth?

2. What type of data does a weather balloon collect?

3. What are air masses?

4. What happens if an air mass doesn’t have the same temperature and humidity as another air mass close by?

5. Imagine that you are a forensic meteorologist and have been called to testify in court. Read about the case on the next page. Should John have to pay the medical bills for the injured runner? Use your knowledge of air masses to back up your decision.

Name: Air Masses, Climate, and Weather

The Case of the Slippery Sidewalk John sells snow cones at a stand in the park. Every night, John cleans out his ice maker so it can make fresh ice overnight. On Saturday morning, joggers were running through the park. One of the joggers slipped on a puddle of water near John’s stand and broke their arm. The jogger wants John to pay all the medical bills. He claims the puddle of water was from his cart. John claims that there was a sudden down pour the night before, which left puddles of water outside. John claims the jogger slipped in a puddle. Should John have to pay the medical bills?

Use the information below about air masses to figure out if John should have to pay the medical bills due to puddles created from his cart!

Thursday: hot and dry air mass over area Friday: hot and humid air mass over area Friday night: cold air mass moves into area Saturday: cold air mass stays over area

Need help? Remember that changes in air masses causes changes in weather.

On the lines below, write out your decision. Explain whether John should have to pay for the medical bills. Be sure to describe the science behind air masses to back up your decision. ______Trevor the Meteorologist : Air Masses and Weather Who is Trevor?

Hi, I'm Trevor! I am a meteorologist. A meteorologist studies the weather and climate in an area.

Climate describes the weather in a certain location over an extended period of time. For example, the Bahamas has a warm, wet climate, while Antarctica has a cold climate.

DID YOU KNOW? Only 7% of meteorologists work in television broadcasting. Most people think that all meteorologists work on weather channels. However, this is not true! Most meteorologists work for the government or at a university doing research. Reasons I Love My Job

Curious about meteorologists? Check out three reasons I love my job!

1.Using Cool Equipment As a meteorologist, I use a lot of equipment! Here are some examples!

Weather Satellites: A satellite is a device that monitors Earth's weather and climate from space. The device collects data that meteorologists and other scientists can analyze. For example, weather satellites collect data on forest fires and tornadoes.

Weather Balloons: A weather balloon is an instrument that is attached to a balloon. Weather balloons float into the sky and collect data about temperature, wind, and humidity.

Fun Fact:

The National Weather Service has directions on their website about what to do if you find a weather balloon on the ground! Each weather balloon has a small mailbag included that you can use to mail back the balloon! Learn more at https://www.weather.gov/upperair/radiosonde. Reasons I Love My Job

2. Investigating Crimes Did you know that meteorologists are like weather detectives? Some meteorologists specialize in a field called forensic meteorology. A forensic meteorologist figures out what the weather was like at a certain point in time. Severe weather can cause accidents and damages to people's property, like their homes or cars. A forensic meteorologist might be contacted by a lawyer or police officer who is investigating an accident, like a roof caving in on a house. The meteorologist might be called to testify in court about whether severe weather caused the roof to cave in.

Here is an example!

Recently, I was asked by the California State Police to investigate a car accident that occurred in San Bernadino. The driver of the car claimed that the weather was so severe that he couldn't see, which made him crash the car. I had to investigate the accident and figure out if the weather was the cause of the car crash. Reasons I Love My Job

To investigate the accident, I used my knowledge about air masses. Air masses are large bundles of air in the atmosphere. Air masses are made of air that is approximately the same temperature and humidity, which is the amount of moisture in the air. As air masses move around each other and mix together, there can be a change in weather.

After looking at weather data from the week of the accident, I saw that a cold dry air mass from Alaska was moving toward California. It collided with a warmer air mass on the night of the accident and created a very severe thunderstorm.

This storm would have brought extreme winds, heavy rain and hail, and maybe even a tornado. Even the best drivers would struggle in weather like this! In the report that I gave to the California State Police, I said that the weather most likely caused the accident. Reasons I Love My Job

3. Researching Weather on Other Planets

Some meteorologists learn about weather on other planets, like Mars. How cool is that? Meteorologists are trying to figure out whether humans would be able to live on Mars one day.

So far, meteorologists have found out that Mars has seasons, just like Earth. This is because Mars sits on a tilt in comparison to the sun, so different parts of the planet are heated at different times. However, this uneven heating can lead to very powerful winds! The winds cause dust storms, where dust can blow 24 miles high and take weeks to settle!