Finding Your Roots: The Seedlings
"Finding Your Roots: The Seedlings" is a web series following 13 young people using science and research skills at a new genetics and genealogy camp to answer the question "Who am I?" With an innovative curriculum envisioned by Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., host of the popular PBS series "Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr" and developed by a team led by Penn State professor Nina Jablonski from the College of the Liberal Arts, campers explore their own family history and DNA ancestry with techniques never before used in an educational setting.
- 2017-2018
- 1 season
- WPSU Penn State
"Finding Your Roots: The Seedlings" is a web series following 13 young people using science and research skills at a new genetics and genealogy camp to answer the question "Who am I?" With an innovative curriculum envisioned by Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., host of the popular PBS series "Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr" and developed by a team led by Penn State professor Nina Jablonski from the College of the Liberal Arts, campers explore their own family history and DNA ancestry with techniques never before used in an educational setting.
Season 1 Episode Guide
9 Episodes 2017 - 2018
Episode 1
Overview
Tue, Oct 3, 2017
Overview. "Finding Your Roots: The Seedlings" is a web series following 13 young people using science and research skills at a new genetics and genealogy camp to answer the question "Who am I?" With an innovative curriculum envisioned by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., host of the popular PBS series "Finding Your Roots" and developed by a team led by Penn State University professor Nina Jablonski, campers explore their own family history and DNA ancestry with techniques never before used in an educational setting.
Episode 2
DNA Extraction
Tue, Oct 24, 2017
DNA Extraction. On the first day of camp, kids extract and see their own DNA. "Finding Your Roots: The Seedlings" is a web series that follows 13 young people testing a new curriculum at a genetics and genealogy camp.
Episode 3
DNA Ancestry
Wed, Nov 1, 2017
DNA Ancestry. After making their own predictions based on family stories, Finding Your Roots campers open their individual DNA ancestry test results at the same time together.
Episode 4
Observable Traits
Tue, Dec 19, 2017
Finding Your Roots campers dig into their DNA test results to find out the likelihood they have various individual genetic traits. They take the PTC test to see if they have the dominant gene for tasting bitter compounds.
Episode 5
Natural Selection
Mon, Jan 29, 2018
Finding Your Roots campers head outside to play a survival game of genetic mutations and natural selection called "Food for the Bird Brain".
Episode 6
Evolution of Skin Color
Thu, Feb 22, 2018
Finding Your Roots campers find out why ancestry and geography and natural selection are essential in determining skin color.
Episode 7
Genealogy
Wed, May 16, 2018
Finding Your Roots campers dig into their family trees as they learn the basics of genealogical research and overcome challenges to find surprising ancestors.
Episode 8
Classification
Tue, Jun 19, 2018
Finding Your Roots campers do a surprising activity to get them ready for a trip to a museum where they find clues in skulls and bones to determine sex, species and evolutionary order.
Episode 9
Final Projects
Tue, Oct 9, 2018
On the last day, Finding Your Roots campers finish up their final projects and get ready to present their research to their families. With a surprise special guest in "Finding Your Roots" host Henry Louis Gates Jr.