Cool+things+to+try

** SNC4M Biotechnology  ** ** Strawberry DNA  ** ** PURPOSE  ** -The purpose of this lesson is to provide students the opportunity to observe, first-hand, the DNA of a strawberry ** Materials:  ** Zip-top bags (one for each student),Strawberries ,salt, dishwashing liquid, glass, cold Alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl – 95%), toothpick ** Method  ** 1. Crush strawberries In Ziploc bag with little. Pour it into glass. 2.Add dishwashing liquid slowly stirring it. 3. Slowly pour the alcohol into the glass, pouring it down the side of the glass so that it forms a separate layer on top of the soapy cell mixture. Fill nearly to the top. Let it sit for 3 - 5 minutes, observing what happens. 4. The DNA will slowly rise from the watery lower layer up into the alcohol layer above it. The DNA will look stringy and have small bubbles attached to it. It will be a clear, “snotty” substance, and may be hard to see. Slowly twist substance onto a toothpick. (Do not scoop up cell scum from the lower layer.) ** Things to emphasize with students: ** Don't just dump the alcohol in the tube. Layer it on top, by running the alcohol down the edge of the tube. Emphasize what the soap, salt, and alcohol are doing. Student results may vary widely. Discuss possible sources of error in the experiment.

2. This satisfies the curriculum expectation of : C3.1 and C3.5 in SCH4U where students in their midst of having fun, learn about the important contributions to science.

On the previous day, a group of 25 students are organised into groups of 5 each and are asked to research one scientist. They should come on the day of the play dressed exactly like him, talk in a highly technical language and brag, boast and comment to other scientists in the group about how he is the best. As each student competes to be declared the best scientist, the teacher is happy as the student knows the accomplishment of at least one scientist, realises the intelligence and skill of such people and their contributions to society. For the students in the audience, they begin to realise the variety of scientists that have helped science move forward.

This play or drama is so much better than asking students to reasearch biographies because then students treat it like a chore. This organisation helps students to be both a part of the demonstration and a part of the audience. This way, they have a wholesome learning experince!

