Connecting the Scientist Who Discovered the Structure of Deoxyribonucleic Acid

 DNA Day is celebrated on April 25th every year. It celebrates the discovery of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid as well as the ongoing study of genomic science. DNA contains our genetic code, which is responsible for everything in our bodies, from how our body works to how we look. And it connects to ALL life on Earth.

Here’s another little activity to celebrate one of the pioneers of genomic science. Download it, print it, connect the dots, and color it. And please be sure to share the link with anyone who you think might benefit from learning a little more about the tiny thin thread that connects us all.

Go to www.genetionary.org/fun

An Activity Page for DNA Day

 

Tomorrow is DNA Day. Here’s a fun little activity page to help you learn more about deoxyribonucleic acid so you can impress your friends and neighbors with your genomic knowledge.  

For the answers, download a copy of this page at www.genetionary.org/fun. 

Pass it along.

DNA Day Poster

 

DNA research has given my daughter a chance at a full life cancer-free, something many of her maternal genetic relatives, including her late mother, did not get. It has also confirmed that my daughter and I share ancestors with a 1-year-old boy who died about 13,000 years ago in what is now Montana, while also confirming that we have an incredibly diverse heritage from all over the globe.

Why celebrate Deoxyribonucleic Acid Day? Besides making us who we are and connecting us to almost all life on the Earth, it helps to provide for the identification, prevention, treatment, and cure of many diseases and conditions, including cancer. DNA also helps confirm parentage, ancestry, and even criminal evidence. It is also used in agriculture, archaeology, paleontology, environmental studies, computer science, and more.

This poster focuses on DNA and our shared humanity, a fact too many do not understand.

The poster can be downloaded at genetionary.org/dna-day

Do You Know Peas About Deoxyribonucleic Acid?

 

Genomic science is incredibly complex. But there’s one simple fact that’s not shared often enough: our DNA connects us to every other living thing on this planet.

I was going to wait until DNA Day (April 25th) to release this fun (and free) little introduction to deoxyribonucleic acid and genomic science. However, some educators, certified genetic counselors, and friends convinced me to make it available ahead of the day so it could be incorporated into lessons plans, events, etc. So here it is. Download it, print it, and color it. And please be sure to share the link with anyone who you think might benefit from learning a little more about the tiny thin thread that connects us all.

To download the PDF of the book, go to www.genetionary.org/DNA

It’s for ages 8 to adults. Adults? Yes, because, sadly, I have encountered too many grown-ups in my hereditary cancer advocacy who are genomically clueless.

Right to Read Day 2025

 

This week is National Library Week. And today is Right To Read Day with the theme Drawn To Freedom. I created this artwork as a multi-published book illustrator. It was drawn to express my support for librarians (I was a library substitute for all the schools in one school district for a while, BTW), libraries, and the freedoms they provide and protect.

I appreciate being invited to participate by Unite Against Book Bans and as a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. 

van Gogh's 172nd Birthday

  

Today is Vincent van Gogh’s 172nd birthday. Seems everybody loves van Gogh, but few can pronounce his Dutch name correctly. And even fewer know that nobody really cared about him or his work when he was alive. The poor man died heartbroken and impoverished. You can count on a couple fingers the number of paintings he sold in his life. It wasn’t until his late brother’s widow started actively promoting Vincent’s work years after Vincent’s death that anyone took notice. 

Your Family Mountain

 

Family tree? Think again. And your heritage is likely far more diverse that you imagine. March 8th is Genealogy Day, so here’s a little math exercise for you ahead of the day.

After doing the math, think of all the cousins you have. (I just might be a distant cousin.)
 
I know that I have millions and millions of distant genetic cousins because of my DNA markers and all the genealogical research others have done on some my more notable ancestors. (Especially some ancestors who were clueless seasick sectarian passengers on a crappy off-course cargo ship in 1620.) Then add in my Native American ancestors who had lived in the “New World” for thousands of years, plus all my other ancestors from Scotland, Ireland, Germany, France, Scandinavia, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and Brazil. And then there are my Neanderthal ancestors to count.
 
What’s your genetic heritage? And did you know that genealogy can help in preventing hereditary cancer?