Assingments % - Exploring Family Genetics: Understanding Identity Through Science

Assignment Instructions
Natural Science Multimedia/Multimodal Assignment
This assignment encourages you to bridge scientific knowledge with personal history, giving you a deeper understanding of how genetics plays a role in your family.

The goal of this assignment is to explore identity from the natural science perspective, then translate your research for a broader audience in an engaging way, specifically through a multimedia/multimodal presentation. See the resources for additional discussion of multimedia and multimodal.

Your focus will be the role of family genetics in shaping your identity. Your research question will be, who am I?

First, explore a family trait, condition, or characteristic that is prevalent in your family. For instance, you could focus on diseases or disorders, like anxiety or depression, or you could focus on a family trait, like eye color or height. You may also consider race or ethnicity. Next, determine the key points of your research and how you want to organize your information. Then, create a multimedia/multimodal presentation discussing the trait, condition, or characteristic you researched. At the end of the presentation, your audience should be informed on both the trait/condition/characteristic, as well as the role it played in shaping your identity.

Directions:
Choose a Trait: Select a physical characteristic (e.g., eye color, height), a medical condition (e.g., allergies), or a talent/ability (e.g., musicality, athleticism) that seems to run in your family.
Gather Information: Research the chosen trait and its potential genetic basis. Locate sources via the FTCC Library’s database initially. Google Scholar is also another means to locate credible academic sources. Two to three current academic sources are needed to support this assignment. You may also want to include interviews with family members (parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles). The sources used from the databases must be from within the last five years and must be accessible by the instructor.
Family History Analysis: Interview family members (parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles) to build a family tree with information about the chosen trait.
Analyze and Discuss: Present your research findings and family history. The presentation’s vehicle can take various forms: Prezi, podcasts, PSAs, Canva, pamphlets. These options reflect the multimodal element of the assignment. A standard essay is NOT an acceptable vehicle for this assignment.
Conclusion and Future Exploration: Summarize your findings and discuss the role of genetics in shaping your family’s identity. Consider how this trait, condition, or characteristic has affected your family.
Include proper citation, and be sure to include an APA reference page at the end of the presentation, properly formatted.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Your Natural Science Multimedia/Multimodal Assignment

This assignment invites you to connect scientific research with personal history, exploring how genetics shapes your identity. Follow this structured approach to create a compelling and well-organized presentation.

1. Choose a Family Trait, Condition, or Characteristic

Select a feature that appears in your family. This could be:

Physical traits: Eye color, height, hair texture.
Medical conditions: Allergies, anxiety, heart disease.
Talents/Abilities: Musicality, athleticism, artistic skills.
Ethnicity/Race: Cultural genetics, inherited ancestry traits.

2. Conduct Your Research

Gather credible information about your chosen trait:

Use academic sources: Access FTCC Library databases or Google Scholar.
Find recent sources: Use studies published within the last five years.
Interview family members: Ask parents, grandparents, or relatives about the trait’s history.
Create a family tree: Map out how the trait appears across generations.

3. Organize Your Presentation

Decide how to structure your research:

Introduction: Introduce your research question—”Who am I?” Explain the trait you selected.
Scientific Background: Explain the genetic basis of your trait. Is it dominant or recessive? Is it influenced by environment?
Family Analysis: Share insights from your interviews and family tree. How is this trait passed down?
Personal Connection: Discuss how this trait has shaped your identity or family experiences.
Future Exploration: Reflect on what this means for future generations in your family.

4. Select Your Presentation Format

Your assignment must be multimedia/multimodal—NOT an essay. Choose one of the following:
✅ Prezi – Visually dynamic presentation.
✅ Podcast – Audio-based storytelling with interviews.
✅ PSA (Public Service Announcement) – A short informative video.
✅ Canva – Engaging digital posters or infographics.
✅ Pamphlet/Brochure – A visually appealing way to present your research.

5. Conclusion & APA Citations

Summarize your key findings.
Explain how genetics influences identity.
Provide an APA-formatted reference page with 2–3 academic sources.

Final Checklist Before Submission ✅

✔ Chose a trait and conducted thorough research.
✔ Interviewed family members and created a family tree.
✔ Presented findings in an approved multimedia/multimodal format.
✔ Included APA in-text citations and a properly formatted reference page.

By following this guide, you’ll create an insightful, engaging presentation that effectively connects genetics with personal identity! 🚀