Capture your DNA in a Necklace: A Hands On Genetics Activity for Students

This is a hands on activity where we help students learn about the molecular basis of life and the molecule that encodes what makes you YOU: DNA! Participants isolate their DNA and create a necklace containing it. We isolated DNA from participants’ check cells and captured it in a helical tube to make a necklace that you can take home. *Kit developed by BioRad and available free of charge to registered Science Ambassadors. We targeted this activity to students grades 3-12 and ran four consecutive 45 minute workshops at a large STEM Expo. The workshops were well attended, and students were especially moved when they witnessed their DNA precipitating out of solution. We recommend using a few brief icebreaker questions to get the ball rolling and to have more of these on hand or an quick instructional video (e.g. Khan Academy) to play during the 10 minute protease incubation. In order to keep things moving along, we had 5 volunteers for 25-30 participants, and we did all of the pipetting and measuring until the final step where the participants moved their DNA into their necklaces. We found that otherwise a great deal of time was lost trying to help people use the provided bulb pipettes. Don't forget that there are certain equipment (water bath) and supply (isopropyl alcohol, dixie cups to provide water for swishing to harvest cells) needs that aren't provided in the kits! Overall, this is a very rewarding experience for volunteers and participants alike