In this activity students explore Mendel's principles of dominance and recessiveness using a free online simulation, "Mouse Genetics," from ExploreLearning.com. Students will conduct online mice breeding experiments to collect data, as Mendel did using pea plants. Within a single class period, several generations of mice can be bred to allow the students to develop their own theories about dominance and recessiveness.

 While Mouse Genetics can be used to teach a variety of lessons and concepts about genetics, the activity discussed here will use the simulation to focus on the topics of dominance, recessiveness, and phenotype. 

Grades 7-12