When I teach genetics the kids do blood testing—both ABO and Rh types. The problem is the blood tests are pricey. In another life, a nurse friend or student’s parent could access the blood typing sera. Lately, I’ve used Eldon cards—also pricey. If your family already knows each member’s blood type, consider testing or typing with fake blood. Here is a complete lab, including teacher notes, using milk, food coloring and vinegar. Here is a more expensive lab, using hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, silver nitrate, and barium nitrate. If you teach Chemistry, you may already have these chemicals on hand. FYI silver nitrate is also pricey. Our Co-op consists of a number of large families; often the entire family wants to test blood. If you are testing a big group, buy the anti-sera and a bunch of lancets. Otherwise, the cheapest version with milk and vinegar will suffice.
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