DNA Week
Jane Crumlish
Neshaminy High School
Langhorne, PA
Type Of Entry
Class activity or ProjectType Of Activity
Combination determined by individual teacherTarget Audience
Biology studentsBackground Information
The purpose of this activity is to raise the student's awareness of DNA, the Human Genome Project and future DNA related careers. Each day is designated for a different activity. The first week of April was selected since April 2, 1953 was the date the final manuscript went to the publishers and April 6, 1928 is James Watson's birth date. See lesson/activity for the NHS timetable. Teachers can select what would work for them.Notes To The Teacher
The first year NHS celebrated was 1995; during DNA Week we only did announcements during the week. This year, 1996, we had only four days and had a different theme per day. Genome the Gnome was the mascot of the week and was featured on signs, pins, and announcements throughout the week. We are setting up a student committee for 1997.
Required Of Students
Students should know the basic structure of DNA.
Preparation Time Needed
The amount of time involved would be based on the amount and type of celebration
Class Time Needed
The DNA celebration can range from full periods to just a mention of DNA.
Abstract Of Activity
DNA WEEK-- April 1 to 7 Students become aware of DNA, the Human Genome Project and DNA careers. Each day from April 1 to 4 had a different theme. The fifth theme will be CAREER DAY.
Monday, April 1 Genome Day Tuesday, April 2 Pin Day Wednesday, April 3 Dna Fingerprinting Day Thursday, April 4 The Wearing Of The Jeans (Genes) To Honor James Watson On His Birthday - April 6, 1928
DNA Week
Materials Needed:
April 1-7Labs and activities about DNA
Activity:
Attached is the timetable and list of activities that NHS used.
Method Of Evaluation/Assessment:
Students can learn about DNA through the activities and traditional test methods can be used to evaluate this. But how do you measure enthusiasm?
Monday, April 1 Genome Day
- Wear the DNA t- shirt
- Encourage your students to see the showcase outside of Office 2
- Introduce Genome the Gnome, the mascot of DNA week
- Short Review of The Human Genome Project
- TEACHER PACKET CONTAINS:
- A short description of the Human Genome Project
- Human Chromosome List and description of traits positioned on those chromosomes
- Comparative Sequence Sizes Booklet from DOE on the Human Genome Project DNA Blackboard models
Tuesday, April 2 Pin Day
- There are enough pins for all of your sophomore students
- DNA vocabulary word search
- TEACHER PACKET CONTAINS:
- Nucleic Acid Word Search
- Word Search Nucleic Acid
- How Does DNA Replicate? (A lab using models) Colored models available
Wednesday, April 3 Dna Fingerprinting Day
- TEACHER PACKET CONTAINS:
- "The Case of the Missing DNA Showcase"
- "What is DNA Fingerprinting"
- AUTORAD #1 and #2
- Encourage students to wear jeans (genes ) tomorrow
Thursday, April 4 The Wearing Of The Jeans (Genes) To Honor James Watson On His Birthday
- Establish who Watson is.
- Encourage students to buy Watson's Birthday Cake
- Go over history of the DNA structure determination
- Introduce possible DNA careers
- TEACHER PACKET:
- The Mystifying DNA with the History of DNA Structure Determination (DNA history)
- Biotechnology careers
Teacher Packet Contains:
- A short description of the Human Genome Project
- Chart of Comparative Sequence Sizes
- Human Chromosome List and description of traits position on those chromosomes
- Booklet from DOE on the Human Genome Project
- DNA Blackboard models
- Nucleic Acid Word Search
- Word Search Nucleic Acid
- How Does DNA Replicate?
- "The Case of the Missing DNA Showcase"
- "What is DNA Fingerprinting"
- AUTORAD #1 and #2
- The Mystifying DNA with the History of DNA structure determination
- DNA Announcements
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