“Never Be The Brightest Person In The Room” -Nobel Laureate James Watson: discovered the structure of DNA
The detailed explanation for how life carries information genetically was determined in 2 hours. James Watson and Francis Crick didn’t use any fancy 
gadgets or high-tech instruments of the day to figure out the double-helical structure of DNA. They cut out pieces of cardboard in the shapes of the four known base chemicals (A, T, C, and G) and played around with possible arrangements. They pretty much knew right away they were correct because the pieces fit together perfectly.
The most significant breakthroughs are usually quite simple. Einstein’s equations were less than an inch long. Copernicus’s heliocentric theories
were hand written on just a few pages. Darwin’s sketch of an evolutionary tree diagram in On The Origin Of Species is but one illustration.
Many times simple explanations to big problems are met with the most resistance. Let this not distract you from your goals to provide meaningful innovations.
Have kids make the same DNA models Watson and Crick thought of in 1953..but this time out of candy.
Also check out the video for some pretty amazing CGI effects of DNA unzipping and uncoiling by world famous amimator Drew Berry.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Don’t forget-Watson and Crick also used Rosalind Franklin’s photo 51 – 3 good links: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/photo51/ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/bofran.html and http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BC/Rosalind_Franklin.php
Your main point is a great one though – the simpler, the better
@ KahilleD
Thanks! These are all great links. Unfortunately there is still (to this day) a machismo element to the scientific community. Without Rosalind Franklin’s expertise in X-Ray crystallography we may still be thinking triple helix. We definitely need to encourage more women to go into graduate STEM programs. -Joe