Edible DNA Models

This year in science we're using Apologia's Exploring Creation with Anatomy and Physiology. We love Apologia and this year is no exception. The first chapter covers the history of the study of anatomy. And the discovery of cells is a huge part of that history.

As we look at human cells, we can see how magnificent our God is, how He planned each part of the cell to have a specific function. We also marvel at how all of our unique information is contained in our DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid.

Because my kids love hands-on projects, we made an edible DNA model for a close-up view of DNA. And this project was a hit with them, just like the jello cell model we made a couple of years ago.

We used Twizzlers, colored mini-marshmallows and toothpicks. That's it.

First, we skewered mini-marshmallows on the toothpicks. Then we attached each end of the toothpicks on to Twizzlers, like the rungs of a ladder.


The Princess kept eating the marshmallows, so it took her a little bit longer!


Then we twisted the Twizzlers and DNA was formed!



The kids want to do this again today. I think they really just want to eat more Twizzlers!