Pros: Effective, Engaging, Saves Time, Grade Level Appropriate, inquiry based
I tried this set at the NSTA conference in New Orleans and was taken by how effective it is for middle school genetics inquiry. Students discover: (1) that chromosomes are paired, (2) that chromosomes have distinct differences, and (3) that there is a normal number of chromosome pairs for humans. In addition, students can be challenged to develop karyotype groups based on similarities and to analyze genetic mutations that result in an abnormal number of chromosomes. It keeps the middle school mind and hands engaged.
