STEM
TraitForge
Extract DNA, map inheritance with Punnett squares, simulate CRISPR gene editing, and debate bioethics — explore genetics and biotechnology from Mendel's peas to modern gene therapy through hands-on virtual lab experiments.
▶ Play it nowBuilt for sittings of about 20 minutes on the screen. That is our design budget, not a measurement.
Meet your mentor
Every Spark & Anvil app has a friendly mentor character that demonstrates, asks, and patiently scaffolds learning. On-device AI personalizes the mentor's responses to your kid's progress — never connecting to a server, never collecting data.
Mentored by Codex
#29B6F6 TraitForge is a virtual genetics laboratory where you become a junior scientist! You will extract DNA from fruit cells, predict what baby organisms look like using Punnett squares, simulate cutting-edge CRISPR gene editing, and discuss real bioethics questions. It is hands-on science right on your device.
Characters who teach
Meet the cast
TraitForge teaches inheritance, molecular biology, and biotechnology — a domain with a clean catalogue of named patterns (DNA, alleles, Punnett crosses, mutations, CRISPR edits).
Suds
DNA extraction
Read chapter →
Bead
Gene as discrete inheritable unit
Read chapter →
Rungs
DNA structure / base-pairing
Read chapter →
Skein
Chromosome packaging
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Match
Allele pairing (Punnett crosses)
Read chapter →
Deal
Recombination / why siblings differ
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Trace
Lineage / heredity across generations
Read chapter →
Script
DNA → RNA → protein (the genetic code as a recipe)
Read chapter →
Nurture
Environment shapes genes / nature and nurture
Read chapter →
Snip
Mutation + CRISPR (variation + intervention)
Read chapter →
Scruple
The bioethics decision; just because we CAN change a gene does not decide whether we SHOULD, so ask who it affects, what could go wrong and whether it can be undone
Read chapter →
Browse all chapters → · What's distributed-narrative methodology? →
What's inside
DNA Extraction Lab
Follow step-by-step instructions to extract DNA from virtual fruit cells. You will crush, filter, and isolate DNA strands just like a real scientist. Watch the
Punnett Square Builder
Predict what traits baby organisms will have by filling in Punnett squares. Cross a tall plant with a short plant and see what happens. Learn about dominant and
CRISPR Simulator
Use a virtual gene-editing tool to change an organism's DNA. Pick which gene to edit, make your cut, and see what changes. This is the same technology real scie
Bioethics Board
Discuss big questions about genetics with your AI mentor. Should we edit genes to prevent diseases? What about changing how people look? There are no wrong answ
Mentored by Codex — on-device AI, no data leaves the device.
How TraitForge handles your kid's data
- ✅ All progress, settings, and AI-generated content stays on the device
- ✅ No analytics, no tracking, no third-party SDKs
- ✅ Free — no ads, no in-app purchases
- ✅ No personal information collected from children — in line with COPPA (updated by the 2026 FTC amendments)
- ✅ No chat with strangers — play-together rooms use a short code and preset emotes, never typed messages
TraitForge runs on ForgeKit — the open-source Swift Package Manager framework that powers every Spark & Anvil app. ForgeKit ensures consistent accessibility, COPPA compliance, and design language across the portfolio, so your kid's progress and preferences feel coherent across every app they touch.
Coming to the App Store
TraitForge is in active development. Email us to hear when it ships — no marketing, no spam, just a one-shot launch announcement.
Email me at launch
