DNA Day blends multiple disciplines for eighth-graders

As part of an interdisciplinary approach to learning, Poly's eighth-graders recently participated in the third annual DNA Day. The day consisted of four block periods with activities and special events centered around studying DNA, with activities ranging from a DNA extraction lab in science class to a dragon genetics activity in math class.

The idea for DNA day arose three years ago when Middle School science teacher Erin Brindley requested a longer period than normal to complete a DNA extraction in class. “All of my fellow eighth grade teachers were really great about participating in an interdisciplinary day from the start. It really is a fun way to see how all subjects can relate to each other and to study DNA in different contexts,” Brindley explains.

In Brindley’s class, students collect their own cheek cells, break down the membranes and isolate the DNA in large enough quantities to be seen with the naked eye. Students then place their DNA into a vial and take it home. In Malorie Wiebe’s math class, students are assigned the genetics of a male or female dragon and they flip coins to determine the traits that they will pass on to their offspring dragon “babies.” Robert Farrar has his eight-graders watch the National Geographic film “The Human Family Tree,” and then leads students in a discussion about the history of humans and the human start in Africa. In English classes, Kate Gray and Laura Gershenhorn have the students experiment with solving CSI-type cases on a web-based game, after which they analyze case studies of DNA-related cases.

Brindley shares, “We strive to create a really fun and exciting day for students to learn about DNA and all that it can do. I think they end up really enjoying the activities and hopefully they leave thinking about science in a new way.”
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