Fifth-grade students at Copiague’s Great Neck Road Elementary School have been busy learning about the many uses of DNA. In an effort to apply the concepts learned in the classroom to the real world, Jennifer Galasso, an instructor from the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, visited the students, instructing and guiding them through a DNA extraction from harmless bacteria.
To extract the DNA from the bacteria, the students used a combination of soap and heat to burst the cells inside. After making the extraction, they used ethanol to separate the DNA from the soapy solution. Once separated, the students were able to see and touch the DNA.
“It was really cool,” said fifth-grader Marvin Lobo about the activity. “I am excited to go back to class and learn more about DNA.”
The program was offered to the fifth-graders in conjunction with the districtwide College Day initiative.
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