13 Hands-On Bacterial Transformation Activities

Are you looking to teach your secondary students about genetic engineering? This can be a difficult concept to teach but interactive or virtual labs can get them engaged in no time! We have put together thirteen activities about bacterial transformation and DNA recombination to help your students master their microbiology lessons. 

1. Paper Transformation

Have students label and visualize the transformation process with this overview of bacterial transformation worksheet. Students will label the functions and structures of common bacteria such as plasmids, DNA, and chromosomes.

Learn More: Teach Engineering

2. Recombinant DNA Board Game

Test your student’s knowledge of cellular transformation and cell growth with this colorful board game. This is also a great activity for reviewing concepts of recombinant DNA and bacterial transformation.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

3. Create Glowing Bacteria

Want your students to visualize cellular transformation? Then you have to try using E. coli and creating glowing bacteria. 

Learn More: Science Buddies

4. Transforming Bacteria Online Simulation

Students get to play the role of scientists in this bacterial transformation simulation. They will be tasked with setting the appropriate temperatures and identifying various bacteria from a selection of test tubes. 

Learn More: Lab Xchange

5. Recombinant DNA

Take your students through a recombinant DNA activity with this fantastic lesson. The hands-on worksheets are accompanied by online visuals to help reinforce their learning. 

Learn More: Texas Instruments

6. DNA Recombinant Paper Plasmids

Looking for a hands-on activity? Then use paper plasmids to teach DNA recombination! This low-prep activity will show how DNA changes and transforms to create new genes.

Learn More: Curious Moranland

7. Make A Plasmid

Create plasmids with this easy activity requiring only tape! Students will be able to use these plasmids for further activities from the website which walks them through the intricate process of cellular transformation.

Learn More: Learning Undefeated

8. Bacterial Transformation Lab

This bacterial transformation lab is perfect for high school students learning about all the changes that these single-celled organisms undergo. The package comes complete with lessons, materials, and a guidebook for teachers!

Learn More: School Specialty

9. Bacterial Transformation Virtual Lab

Are you planning a lesson on insulin and bacterial transformation? Then extend your student’s learning with this engaging virtual lab. Students will compare the human insulin gene and an antibiotic resistance gene to learn about the various changes involved in their development. 

Learn More: Study.com

10. Lab Reports

Teach your students all about biotechnology with this pGLO bacterial transformation lab! Students will need to write a lab report as they complete the process, and will learn all about the role of plasmids in creating glowing bacteria.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

11. Transforming Bacteria To Make Colored Pigments

If you have already completed the glowing bacteria lab, then why not take it a step further by transforming your microbes to create colored pigments? Students will label controls and variables, and work hands-on in this fun lab.

Learn More: Science Buddies

12. Cloning DNA Sequences

Clone DNA sequences and perform transformations in this awesome activity! Students will go through the process of cellular transformation and outline how reverse transcriptase can be used to replicate DNA.

Learn More: Nagwa

13. Gene Therapy

Teach your students about gene therapy in this inventive activity. Students will apply their knowledge of plasmids, bacteria, transformation, chromosomes, and biological replicates in this challenging, hands-on lab. 

Learn More: DNA Learning Center