VT KTU April 7th exhibit- What's in your Pool? Human Genetic Variation and Inherited Traits

Look around you. We are all human beings and share 99.9% of the same DNA. So why do we all look so different? At this booth students will learn about simple genetics through an exploration of dominant and recessive traits. Each trait, or physical characteristic, is determined by a person’s genetic makeup. Every person inherits two copies of each gene (known as allelles), one from mom and one from dad. The combination of these alleles will determine the actual trait exhibited by the individual person. Students will look at themselves and consider several common physical traits, such as the ability to curl their tongue, the presence of dimples, and their dominant hand. They will then make and take their own “trait bracelets” to demonstrate their individuality and similarity to others.

Hosted by- Scieneering and CEED

Scieneering is a comprehensive interdisciplinary program of academics and research at the intersection of science, engineering and law, through which students are exposed to real-world, multi-dimensional problems that require knowledge beyond a single discipline. Current Scieneers come from more than 10 science and engineering majors and perform research under the direction of one of over 100 voluntary faculty mentors.

The Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED) provides encouragement and support to engineering students, focusing on the under-represented population, in an effort to increase the diversity of students who apply to, enroll, and graduate from engineering and awareness of engineering and other technical fields as an exciting and rewarding career path.