This issue of Carnegie Quarterly focuses on a middle grades life science project in which students work together in groups to explore the properties of DNA. The project, entitled HumBio, was developed to capture young people's interest in science by promoting an understanding of their own biology so they can see how their health and well-being are influenced by their genes, their bodily functions, their family, the larger cultural and physical environment, and their own behavior. The article describes this program, its origins, middle school reform, design of the program, and dealing with potential controversy. Includes a list of 12 HumBio test site middle schools. (MKR)