Rosalind Franklin – A Scientist’s Role in Understanding DNA

Rosalind Franklin – A Scientist’s Role in Understanding DNA

Comprehension Activities

A printable and digital activity set for secondary science classrooms (grades 7–10) 🧬📄

This resource introduces students to Rosalind Franklin, the chemist and biophysicist whose work with X-ray diffraction played a key role in uncovering the structure of DNA. Although her name is often missing from textbook headlines, Franklin's contribution was fundamental to what we now know about genetics and molecular biology.

The material is built around a short, accessible informational text, followed by structured tasks that can be used flexibly in the classroom. It’s suitable for science units on DNA, the history of science, or lessons focused on women in STEM.

What’s included:

• A student-friendly informational text about Rosalind Franklin

• A profile worksheet to organize and reflect on the content

• Quiz questions (with a solution sheet for easy checking)

• Two optional extension tasks:
  – Students write their own questions about the text
  – Exchange and answer a partner’s questions

• Formats:
  – PDF (ready to print or share digitally)
  – Editable DOCX (text only)
  – H5P version (interactive, text-based, without images)

In the classroom:
This activity fits well into science lessons about DNA structure or cell biology, but also works in cross-curricular contexts. I’ve used it as part of a "Scientist of the Week" rotation, or during Women’s History Month to highlight underrepresented voices in science. It also works well as an independent assignment or as a task for non-specialist substitute lessons.

The H5P version is helpful if you’re teaching online or want students to work through the quiz with automatic feedback. No extra materials are required, and students can work at their own pace.

This resource makes space for thoughtful discussion while reinforcing content – and brings an important scientist into focus.

Have fun exploring the world of science with your students!
Warmly,
Lernfitness

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