Grade 9 Workshops  DNA Scissors

ONLINE registration for DNA workshops in May 2013 has occurred. DNA workshops will be offered May 21-24 from 9-11 am or 12-2pm. One workshop spot remains, May 24th, from 9-11am. If interested in registering your class email  liz.robertson@twu.ca with your name, school, email, preferred dates and workshop times.

A DNA workshop for home school students, over age 13, will be offered on May 22, 2013 from 12-2pm. (FULL). Contact liz.robertson@twu.ca to be placed on the wait list.

Cost is $10 per student per 2 hour workshop, class minimum payment $250.

Designed to enrich the Life Sciences Unit on Cell Cycle and Reproduction, this workshop focuses on DNA as the fundamental molecule of heredity. In this 2 hour workshop students use methods routinely used by molecular biologists today to analyze a small genome. The workshop also integrates concepts from the Grade 9 curriculum in Chemistry ( e.g. explanation of the chemical groups that make up DNA) and Electricity (e.g. the students will use electrophoresis to separate DNA fragments).

‘DNA Scissors’  is a two hour workshop that focuses on DNA as the fundamental molecule of heredity.  Designed to enrich the Life Sciences Unit on Cell Cycle and Reproduction, this workshop corresponds with the Ministry of Education Prescribed Learning Outcomes for Grade 9 Science.

 Students attending the hands–on workshop will use methods routinely used by molecular biologists today to analyze a small genome. The workshop also integrates concepts from the Grade 9 curriculum in Chemistry (e.g. explanation of the chemical groups that make up DNA) and Electricity (e.g. the students will use electrophoresis to separate DNA fragments).

 This workshop can be easily adapted for higher grade levels. An enriched version suitable for Grade 11 or Grade 12 students incorporates graphing and mathematical analysis of the molecular data collected to construct a "map" of the DNA genome studied.

For more information about the content of the workshop please contact Dr. Eve Stringham at stringha@twu.ca.

Science in the Valley is partially funded by NSERC