Some of the answers:

"DNA is a disease"

"Only criminals have DNA" (somebody has been watching too much CSI!!)

DNA Isolation from strawberries

"In order to learn about DNA through experimentation. The kids were given a ziplock bag and a strawberry each. They were asked to squish the strawberries to a fine mulch."

The Isolation process

"We gave them a prepared DNA isolation buffer which they wer to pour into the ziplock bag and mix with the mashed strawberries. Their mixture was filtered through coffee filters into a beaker. Then they were given a tube in which some of the filtered strawberry and buffer was poured."

Getting the results

"We put some isopropanol in each of their tubes and they could see DNA floating in the tube as a white, fiber-like material"

Exciting results!!

"The kids could really see the strawberry DNA in their test tubes."

Budding Scientists

Everybody was able to perform the DNA isolation. Could a future genetist be among this group?

Encouraging girls to be scientists

Not all scientists or Plant Biologists are men. Many breakthroughs in scientific research have been made by female researchers. It is never too early to plant the seeds!

Proud of their results!

Just goes to show that hard work pays off in the end!

Future Science Colleagues?

Teaching the value of having an inquisitive mind.