Re: "more of a directions-follower and info-absorber..." This sounds like my daughter. Her class did a family history project this year which got her interested in the idea of DNA. We got her the ScienceWiz DNA Experiment Kit.
We looked at the Thames and Cosmos kit but this one just seemed more right. She hasn't received it yet, but I have looked at it and I like the information that comes with it. Neither my husband nor I are scientists and we can't teach or engage her in science in any kind of sophisticated way, but I've already used the guide to learn more about DNA myself so I can explore with her better.
