Beginners Biotech: Getting DNA out of Cells (Greenpoint Library)

Age: 8-11

Limited capacity. Registration is required.

Join us for this hands-on activity where we will break open cells and separate their DNA from the rest.

In biotech we sometimes want to edit the instructions inside of cells to get them to make something of interest to us. DNA is the molecule that encodes these instructions inside of a cell, so an early step in the process of changing these instructions is getting the DNA out of the cells.

Materials Provided: Fruit, detergent, salt, distilled water, ice cold alcohol, narrow plastic containers, coffee filters, small plastic ziploc bags, wooden skewers

Accessibility

• Due to design of this program, there will be aspects involving smells and fruit textures.
• We are a 5-minute walk off the Nassau G stop. Our building entry, elevator, and bathroom are all ADA compliant.
• For this workshop we will be in Eco Lab 1, this room is brightly lit from a variety of fixtures and natural lighting.  Temperature varies.
• Being a public space there is often overlapping noise within the building.  This workshop is geared towards kids which might include varying levels of sound depending on activity.  To reduce sensory input feel free to bring your own ear plugs or ask us if you’d like to borrow a sound filtering device.
• Grown-ups are encouraged to stay in the space to provide additional support to their child.  This may include help with motor skills or emotional support.