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Plate to Planet Extension - Strawberry DNA Extraction

Plate to Planet Extension - Strawberry DNA Extraction
Contributors
Beyond Benign, Inc.
Teacher | Bretton Woods Elementary School
Professor | Bridgewater State University
cover for plate to planet curriculum with smiling Earth holding a plate of food
Summary
*This is an extension activity to the Plate to Planet Unit. In this activity, the children will be extracting Deoxyribonucleic Acid, DNA, from strawberries. Cells are the basic unit of life and make up all living things. DNA is the molecule that controls everything in the cell. DNA contains the instructions that direct all the cell’s activities. This lesson will show how DNA can be isolated from a strawberry utilizing the principles of Green Chemistry. The extraction will use common household materials.

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Moderation state
Published
Object Type
Activities/Technology (e.g., in-class activities, online games, hands-on activities/manipulatives, outreach, virtual tools, etc.)
Audience
Elementary School
Middle School
High School (Secondary School)
Published on
Green Chemistry Principles
Safer Solvents and Auxiliaries
Use of Renewable Feedstocks
Catalysis
NGSS Standards, if applicable
Structures and Properties of Matter: 5-PS1-1
Matter of any type can be subdivided into particles that are too small to see, but even then, the matter still exists and can be detected by other means.
Chemical Reactions: 5-PS1-4
When two or more different substances are mixed, a new substance with different properties may be formed.
Structure and Function: LS1.A
Plants and animals have both internal and external structures that serve various functions in growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction.
Learning Goals/Student Objectives
Students will…
● Make predictions about what the DNA will look like
● Review laboratory safety procedures
● Observe DNA extraction using a catalyst
● Observe a chemical reaction
● Be able to follow a lab sequence
Common pedagogies covered
Collaborative/cooperative learning
Hands-on learning
Problem-based learning
Student-centered learning
Time required (if applicable)
30-45 minutes

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Safety Precautions, Hazards, and Risk Assessment
Follow standard classroom safety protocol. The use of safety goggles and gloves is recommended.
Teacher Recommendations or Piloting Data (if available)
N/A
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.59877/MPEE2721

File (PDF, PPT, image, etc)

Creative Commons License