DNA Necklaces and DNA Extraction Lab
Applicant: Nancy Culliton, HKMS Teacher
Target Population: HKMS 7th Grade Students
Content Area of Project: Life Science - Genetics
Amount of Grant:
| 2010 | $670 |
| 2008 | $571 |
| 2006 | $667 |
Easton Learning Foundation (ELF) President, Bernadette Waterman (right) awards Nancy Culliton (left) with a check to fund a “DNA Extraction Lab Grant” in 2010. This grant will enable all seventh grade students to extract DNA from inside their cheeks and perform a chemical process that allows them to see and study their own DNA.
With this science project, Mrs. Culliton’s students gained a clear understanding of what DNA is and where it can be found. Each student obtained their own cheek cells and extracted DNA from these cells. They separated their DNA strands and stored them in glass vials, part of their DNA necklace. With funding from ELF, a DNA bath was purchased as well as extraction models and necklaces. This is a fourth year grant application to continue the success of the first two years of the program.
Students learned that their DNA is in every one of their body cells. They also learned through research how microscopic their cells are. It therefore comes as a surprise that the students can actually SEE DNA strands without a microscope! Once students extract their very own DNA from their cheek cells, they can choose to store their DNA in a separate vial, or a heart-shaped vial which is part of a necklace. Because students use new lab tools such as pipettes, several chemicals and a water bath, they have noted that they “feel like real scientists!” when conducting this lab.
“…this DNA lab is one of those labs I’ll remember for the rest of my life. 
I still have that DNA necklace in my room, ’cause I just thought it was so cool.”
—HKMS 8th grade student
Click on the video below to hear first hand from Nancy Culliton, Grade 7 Life Sciences Teacher about the DNA Extraction Lab grant.
