The Make a Baby biology lab
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (122059)
United States
March 20, 2025 5:15pm CST
Well it is fitting for a bio class that is studying genetics.
I'm getting observed tomorrow and they always like to see students interacting so I'm busting out the penny baby genetics lab. In all seriousness I would have done it with the students anyway but the timing for when he scheduled it worked out properly.
My ex gave me 100 pennies. (Should I Venmo him the $1?
) I made the photocopies this morning. I had a pre-observation "conference" (2 minutes) with my supervisor who thought it was going to be a boring thing but was so excited when he saw that the students were really going to be "creating" a baby and drawing it with the characteristics that their penny flips decide.
This activity is a biology classic. I had to warn the kids today that if any pennies got thrown around the room that they would all get a zero. You'd be surprised. Today one kid threw a full water bottle at another one when they are friends and working in the same group. Nearly missed a bunch of glassware behind her.
I'm not worried about it. The former 2 people who used to do science observations were very harsh. I hate to sound like Trump but that was very unfair because other people doing them for other departments were far more generous with their ratings. People were getting straight 4s (on a scale of 1-4) while the science department was getting dinged with 2s. The first observation of the year was legit the highest score I've gotten since this stupid Charlotte Danielson BS. I expect tomorrow's will be a bit lower but still close to it.
Oh well tomorrow here we go!



8 people like this
6 responses
@sw8sincere (5552)
• Philippines
21 Mar
That sounds like an awesome lesson! The penny baby genetics lab is such a classic, and it’s great that your supervisor got excited about it. Interactive activities always get students more engaged!
Also, the “no throwing pennies” rule is definitely necessary—somehow, anything can become a projectile in a classroom. ?? The water bottle situation sounds wild too!
However, glad your observations are going better—science deserves fair ratings too. Good luck to you my friend!
2 people like this
@Dreamerby (7406)
• Calcutta, India
21 Mar
All we did in biology classes were read textbooks and write questions and answers

1 person likes this
