Describe a gmo
Make a simple model to show how plant genes change: use craft materials to swap pretend traits and explain what changed.
Step-by-step guide to make a simple model showing how plant genes change
Are GMOs Good or Bad? Genetic Engineering & Our Food
Step 1
Gather all your materials so everything is ready to use.
Step 2
Clear a flat workspace so you have room to build your models.
Step 3
Cut out two fun plant shapes from colored paper to be Plant A and Plant B.
Step 4
Make trait cards by writing one trait name on each index card for traits like leaf color flower shape or seed size.
Step 5
Create trait tokens for each trait variation by coloring small paper circles or putting on stickers or pom-poms so each variation looks different.
Step 6
Attach a trait card to Plant A with a clothespin so Plant A shows its starting trait.
Step 7
Attach a trait card to Plant B with a clothespin so Plant B shows its starting trait.
Step 8
Choose one trait to change and unclip that trait card from Plant A.
Step 9
Clip the trait card you removed onto Plant B to show the trait swap.
Step 10
Replace Plant B’s token with the token that matches the new trait card so the plant shows the changed trait.
Step 11
Write one short sentence on an index card explaining what changed and why the plant looks different now.
Step 12
Share a photo and a description of your finished model on DIY.org so others can see how you showed genes swapping traits.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have clothespins, index cards, or pom-poms?
If you don't have clothespins use paper clips or binder clips to attach trait cards, and swap index cards for sticky notes or cardstock and pom-poms for buttons, coins, or stickers as trait tokens.
What should we do if tokens fall off or the trait swap step is confusing?
If tokens fall off or the unclip-and-clip step is tricky, secure tokens with a bit of tape, practice removing and reattaching the clothespin on a scrap plant first, and check that the token matches the trait card before you replace Plant B’s token.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For preschoolers pre-cut the Plant A and Plant B shapes and pre-clip starting trait cards so they only move tokens, while older kids can swap multiple trait cards, record results on extra index cards, or predict outcomes before swapping.
How can we make this activity more interesting or personalized?
To extend the model add more trait cards and token variations, decorate each plant with extra craft supplies to show new traits, and upload a step-by-step photo plus the index-card sentence to DIY.org to share your customized experiment.
Watch videos on how to make a simple model that shows how plant genes change
GCSE Biology - Genetic Engineering | GMO
4 Videos
GCSE Biology - Genetic Engineering | GMO
Bill Nye: Is GMO Food Safe?
Will All Food Eventually Be GMO? with Bill Nye
Bill Nye Explains Selective Breeding and GMOs
Facts about plant genetics and genetic modification
🧬 DNA is like a tiny instruction book inside every cell — each gene is a recipe for a trait.
🌱 Farmers and scientists change plant genes to help crops resist pests, survive drought, or be more nutritious.
✂️ CRISPR works like molecular scissors that let scientists edit genes more precisely than older methods.
🥫 The Flavr Savr tomato (1994) was the first commercially sold genetically engineered food in the U.S.
🎨 In a model activity, swapping colored beads, stickers, or paper 'genes' makes it easy and visual to show how traits change.
How do you make a simple model that shows how plant genes change?
What materials do I need to make a pretend plant gene swap model?
What ages is this plant gene swap activity suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for this pretend GMO model activity?
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