Resources for 5-12 year olds

Explore DNA resources and activities suitable for learners aged 5-12 years old.

Graphic of 5 people composed of two circles each, in multiple colours.

Science For Everyone Primary Resources

Discover primary science activities to help students explore everyday science and highlight a diverse range of scientists.

Careers

child taking part in the activity guide

Build a Bacteria!

Discover the diversity of bacteria and get creative making your own model bacteria!

Health and Disease

Hand writing sequence on paper

Code Crackers

In this activity, learners discover how genes encode proteins, using a codon wheel and protein profiles.

Methods and Technology

picture of lots of bright red shiny strawberries

Extracting DNA from fruit

This hands-on activity allows you to extract the DNA from fruit using household items.

In the Cell

3D illustration of a protein or enzyme.

Function Finders

Discover how DNA sequences code for proteins with different roles and functions.

Methods and Technology

Picture of an origami DNA somebody has created.

Origami DNA

This hands-on activity allows you to create your own paper model of a DNA double helix.

In the Cell

Picture of 3 skulls

Recreate a Face

Discover how DNA can provide clues to recreate the faces of people from the past.

Science in Society

picture of beads for a bracelet

Sequencing Bracelets

In this activity, learners make a bracelet of DNA sequence from organisms including a human, chimpanzee, butterfly, carnivorous plant or flesh-eating bacteria.

In the Cell

Image of someone holding a micro:bit.

Tech in the Lab

Use a micro:bit to explore how creative coding and sensors can help scientists solve tricky problems in the lab!

Methods and Technology