Title: I Spy DNA: DNA Extraction from Natural Sources
Run-through Meeting: Friday November 22, 2013 4pm, Morrill 3 Room 306
Workshop Date (in Holyoke): Tuesday December 10th, 2013 2-6pm, Holyoke Public Schools
Workshop overview: The goal of this workshop is to demonstrate the process of scientific enquiry by highlighting key components of the scientific method. This also serves as a fun introduction to DNA and cells that asks students where DNA comes from, if DNA from different sources is the same or different, and whether we can see DNA when it is isolated. The workshop itself will use household items to extract DNA from natural sources including a) wheat germ b) strawberries and c) sand. We will be able to break open the cells from each source and observe the DNA as it is extracted from the cellular debris. Along the way we will emphasize the stages and progress of the experiment. The students will then compare their results with their initial hypotheses and discuss why their initial hypothesis may have been accurate or inaccurate.
For inquiries or more information please contact our outreach committee chair Katie (gwis@grad.umass.edu subject “outreach”) or Jenna (jenna@massacademysciences.org)
