Board game for teaching DNA concepts

Abstract

A board game for teaching pattern recognition. In one embodiment, the present invention teaches DNA concepts wherein patterns identified on playing cards represent a sequential biocode pattern and a plurality of game pieces represent biocodes differentiated by shape and color. Corresponding biocodes represent base pairs bound together to form the helix structure of DNA. Preferably, pattern recognition is taught utilizing a simple story line such as deep-space travelers having to repair a spaceship, by having to match a sequential pattern with game pieces (biocodes) to retrieve a spaceship part, in order to escape a distant planet.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A board game for teaching pattern recognition, comprising: 
 a plurality of player identification game pieces;    a path depicted upon a gameboard for movement of said player identification game pieces, said path comprising a plurality of separate spaces;    a plurality of separate regions designated upon said gameboard along said path;    a plurality of game cards to be associated with each said region designated upon said gameboard, each said game card for identifying a pattern; and    a plurality of game pieces to be collected by the players, said game pieces collected by each player to be arranged with one another to match said pattern on at least one of said game cards.    
     
     
         2 . The board game of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of tokens to also be collected by the players, at least one said token to be collected by a player when successfully matching at least a portion of said game pieces with said pattern on one of said game cards.  
     
     
         3 . The board game of  claim 1  wherein each said game piece is keyed to correspond with at least one other said game piece.  
     
     
         4 . The board game of  claim 1  wherein said path is multi-colored to separately designate said spaces of said path.  
     
     
         5 . The board game of  claim 4  wherein each said game piece is keyed based upon color to correspond with at least one other said game piece having a different color.  
     
     
         6 . The board game of  claim 5  wherein at least one said spaces of said path matches at least one of said keyed game pieces based upon similar colors.  
     
     
         7 . The board game of  claim 1  wherein said game pieces are keyed to correspond to one another based upon color and shape.  
     
     
         8 . The board game of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of game pieces are keyed to correspond to one another based upon color, and a portion of said plurality of keyed game pieces having one color to correspond with another portion of said plurality of game pieces having a different color.  
     
     
         9 . The board game of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of game pieces are keyed to match one another based upon shapes, and a portion of said plurality of keyed game pieces having one shape to mate with another portion of said plurality of game pieces having another corresponding shape.  
     
     
         10 . The board game of  claim 1  further comprising a receiver of a plurality of game pieces wherein each said receiver is configured to receive and retain said tokens when said tokens are collected.  
     
     
         11 . The board game of  claim 1  for teaching DNA concepts wherein said patterns identified on said playing cards represent a sequential biocode pattern and said plurality of game pieces represent biocodes.  
     
     
         12 . The board game of  claim 11  wherein there are four types of said biocodes differentiated by shape and color.  
     
     
         13 . The board game of  claim 12  wherein said biocodes are colored red, green, blue or yellow, and said red biocodes correspond with said green biocodes and said blue biocodes correspond with said yellow biocodes to represent base pairs bound together to form the helix structure of DNA.  
     
     
         14 . The board game of  claim 12  wherein angular-shaped end portions on said biocodes represent receptor sites for representing chemicals attaching to slots on a surface of a receiving neuron.  
     
     
         15 . A plurality of game pieces to be utilized while playing a board game wherein each said game piece comprises a shaped end portion to be mated with a portion, but not all, of said plurality of said game pieces.  
     
     
         16 . The plurality of game pieces of  claim 14  wherein each said game piece is also color coded to correspond with a portion, but not all, of said plurality of game pieces.  
     
     
         17 . A game card depicting a living being on one portion of said game card and depicting a pattern on another portion of said game card to be matched by a portion of a plurality of game pieces, wherein said pattern corresponds with a biological component or physiological trait of said living being.  
     
     
         18 . A method of playing a game, comprising the steps of: 
 collecting a plurality of game pieces;    arranging at least a portion of the collected game pieces to correspond with one another; and    determining whether at least a portion of the collected game pieces which correspond with one another match a selected pattern.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of collecting one of a set of differently shaped tokens if said collected game pieces arranged to correspond with one another match said selected pattern.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of concluding said game upon collecting said set of differently shaped tokens.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of selecting a different pattern before attempting to determine if any game pieces match.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said arranging step comprises arranging one game piece having one color with another game piece having a different color.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said arranging step comprises arranging one game piece to at least partially correspond with another game piece based upon shape.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said arranging step comprises arranging said game pieces to correspond with one another based upon color and shape.