The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) required a multimedia CD-ROM to be developed in a highly visual, interactive, and entertaining way. The CD-ROM is part of a comprehensive multimedia kit, which is being distributed as an educational tool. NHGRI plans on distributing 300,000 copies world-wide.

A customized media player guides users through the basics of the Human Genome Project. Images on the left enable the user to explore some of the diagrams associated with the video.

The video was encoded into an MPEG 1 stream. The customized interface includes VCR controls, and an audio/visual slider bar.

The CD-ROM includes an animated, interactive timeline of genetics with over 90 key events and discoveries, suggested classroom activities on genome sequencing, and tutorials on reading sequences.

A plan on porting the entire project onto the Internet is in the works. This classroom activity takes students on an interactive journey through migration patterns.

Students experiment with different scenarios of genetic variation. Maps provide feedback to the student. Graphs and illustrations prompt the student to analyze, and make educated decisions on how to use genes to trace human history.