Due to the holiday, we decided to complete two Biologist challenges this week with the Explorers. We extracted DNA from strawberries and also made models of DNA using licorice and either gumdrops or gummy bears.
PART 1 - EXTRACT DNA FROM STRAWBERRIES
We started by watching the first part of Bill Nye the Science Guy's episode on Genetics. The kids filled out this worksheet as they watched in groups.
We used the video below as a guide to how we extracted the DNA from the strawberries.
PART 1 - EXTRACT DNA FROM STRAWBERRIES
We started by watching the first part of Bill Nye the Science Guy's episode on Genetics. The kids filled out this worksheet as they watched in groups.
We used the video below as a guide to how we extracted the DNA from the strawberries.
Here are some pictures from our experiment.
PART 2: MAKE A MODEL OF DNA
The next challenge we took on was to make a model of DNA. We did this using licorice and gumdrops or gummy bears.
Here is a little more about DNA
Here is a little more about DNA
| Here is a complete lesson plan on how to do this at home or with your homeschooling group, classroom or DIY Club. And left are the pictures of our finished products. More resources for these challenges can be found at the following links: Crash Course on DNA (Vlog Brothers - older/advanced students) http://youtu.be/8kK2zwjRV0M Strawberry DNA Experiment: http://ucbiotech.org/resources/display/files/dna_extraction_from_strawberrie.pdf Human DNA Experiment: http://youtu.be/DaaRrR-ZHP4 Lab Experiment Worksheet https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6Lk1nwk2KPddWkxc0FrbFRUcnM/edit |
Make a Model of a Cell (DIY Biologist Challenge)
Here are some options if you want to do this challenge at home:
Beacon Lesson Plan Library - Model a cell with cookies
Mensa for Kids - 3 different construction options including jello. Worksheets included.
More resources
Interactive cells online
http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model.htm
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/insideacell/
http://www.wiley.com/…/an…/cell_structure/cell_structure.htm
http://www.cellimagelibrary.org/
http://www.centreofthecell.org/inter…/exploreacell/index.php
Bill Nye Video on Cells & Worksheet
Beacon Lesson Plan Library - Model a cell with cookies
Mensa for Kids - 3 different construction options including jello. Worksheets included.
More resources
Interactive cells online
http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model.htm
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/insideacell/
http://www.wiley.com/…/an…/cell_structure/cell_structure.htm
http://www.cellimagelibrary.org/
http://www.centreofthecell.org/inter…/exploreacell/index.php
Bill Nye Video on Cells & Worksheet