This lesson asks students to develop a synthetic genetic code to minimize the change in amino acid sequence in a protein due to mutations, within given criteria and constraints. Students compile and analyze data for their synthetic genetic code models, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of one another’s models, and compare them with the natural code model. The purpose of this lesson is to engage students in the application of their understanding of DNA through an engineering design challenge. Students will apply their understanding of protein synthesis and the effects of mutations on proteins as they develop a solution to a design challenge that requires them to engineer their own version of a genetic code. This lesson is recommended to be used at the end of an instructional unit on protein synthesis. A materials list, teacher background information, assessments, and outcomes are provided. This book selection includes the Table of Contents, Introduction, Contributors, About the Authors, References, Image Credits, and Index.