Exploring Structures - DNA (NanoDays 2012)

Overview
Standards
Resources
Evaluations
Comments

Overview

Exploring Structures - DNA (NanoDays 2012)

Description:

"Exploring Structures - DNA" is a hands-on activity in which visitors create a necklace of wheat germ DNA. They learn that self-assembly is a process by which molecules and cells form themselves into functional structures.

Objectives

Big Idea:

Self-assembly is a process by which molecules and cells form themselves into functional structures.

Learning goals:

Self-assembly is a process by which molecules and cells form themselves into functional structures.
Researchers in the field of nanotechnology are using materials that self-assemble—like DNA—to create new materials and technologies smaller than 100 nanometers in size.

NISE Net Content Map:

Nanometer-sized things are very small, and often behave differently than larger things do.

Scientists and engineers have formed the interdisciplinary field of nanotechnology by investigating properties and manipulating matter at the nanoscale.

Universal design:

Repeat and reinforce main ideas and concepts.

Provide multiple entry points and multiple ways of engagement

Provide physical and sensory access to all aspects of the program. Visitors can touch, see and hear different elements of the program.

Credits

Developed for the NISE Network with funding from the National Science Foundation under Award Numbers 0532536 and 0940143. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

Checklist

Scientist reviewed? check_reviewed

Peer reviewed? check_reviewed

Visitor evaluation? check_reviewed

Permissions

Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike

Standards

Life science:

K-4: Characteristics of organisms

5-8: Structure and function in living systems

Physical science:

9-12: Structure and properties of matter

Resources

Download all files (ZIP)

Files:

Exploring Structures DNA - Guide

Exploring Structures DNA - Guide

Exploring Structures DNA - Sign

Spanish files:

Exploring Structures DNA - Sign (Spanish)

Exploring Structures DNA - Guide (Spanish)

Evaluations

NanoDays 2012 Report

The NanoDays 2012 Report summarizes NISE Network partner activities related to NanoDays 2012 events. Participant responses will be used by the NanoDays team to improve future NanoDays materials and resources. Other Network workgroups, such as the community workgroup, will also use this report to improve partner communication, products, and resources. Read more

Comments

Strawberry DNA

Submitted by Denise LeBlanc on Mon, 03/26/2012 - 11:12.

We used wheat germ and strawberries this weekend for DNA extraction. Visitors could choose which one they wanted. It worked very well, and we were able to get at least 30 necklaces from each large strawberry.
We displayed a whole strawberry and a squished one in a ziplock. It prompted great discussions about what does, and what doesn't, have DNA.

Using fresh fruit for DNA extraction

Submitted by Denise LeBlanc on Sat, 03/24/2012 - 04:51.

We did Nano trainings teen volunteers and staff and had a great NanoDays@Night Family Night at The Discovery Museums earlier this month. A good suggestion from the teen volunteer presenters was to use fresh fruits for the DNA activity so that it is more relevant to the kids. They found it hard to explain what wheat germ is to some of the kids – (it’s not a germ, it used to be alive, it looked like??, etc.)

Although the dry wheat germ makes the most sense for the NanoDay Kits, we will use strawberries and/or bananas tomorrow and this week. If anyone has their favorite, please share.

And one note, my DNA necklace, made in early March still looks good and has been shared at staff and board meetings!