Team:Auburn Alabama/Human Practices
Human Practices
The Auburn High School iGEM Team decided to educate young students about biology through events called STEM Nights. In STEM Nights, primary school students participated in a variety of educational and hands-on activities that exposed them to science. We created an activity that allowed these eager students to learn about DNA by creating personalized DNA models.
In our activity, we introduced students to DNA by mentioning the fact that everyone looks different. We explained what DNA is and that it is made of four chemical bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. After telling the students about the basics of DNA and genetics, we had them pick out four different colors, representing the four bases. The student would then identify the color of their eyes and code a segment of the DNA code that makes their eye color what it is. They would also code the complementary strand of DNA. After that, the student strung the DNA code beads onto pipe cleaner. We would twist the pipe cleaner in such a way that it would resemble a DNA double helix. Additionally, the models looked like people, further demonstrating that DNA makes the children who they are.
Through this activity, children were exposed to STEM topics early on, including biology. By observing the wonders of science at an early age, the students can learn to appreciate science and, later, potentially consider science as a career option. The students loved this activity, and we plan to continue our participation at STEM Nights throughout the school year.