Photo Courtesy of Michael Knowles

The dominant alphabet is rapidly becoming the language that codes for all lifeforms, DNA/proteins. This is already creating the world’s largest data/knowledge sets, and it has started to change large portions of the global economy including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, biotech, food, seeds, and cosmetics.

So, now that we realize how important DNA is in the grand scheme, maybe we should take some time to study more about it.   The University of Utah Learn.Genetics website has a very good do-it-yourself (DIY) experiment that shows you how to extract the DNA from dried green split peas.  What is really cool about this tutorial is that it uses tools and ‘chemicals’ that you probably have on-hand in your kitchen.  Before you do the ‘hands-on’ experiment though, view the virtual DNA Extraction Lab and learn a bit about the science behind this experiment.  Give it a try!

We recently discovered a great microscope companion book, perfect for the beginning science buff.  This book has many fun and easy activities, but the best thing about the book is its explanation of how and why.  Additionally, it offers really useful practical tips on improvising when you don’t have all of the tools.  For example, it provides nifty instructions on making your own microtome (for creating thin sections of samples).  Another thoughtful detail is an explanation of how to estimate the size of your sample when you don’t have a stage micrometer.  Anyway, there are plenty of fun activities with real-world applications stashed inside! This is an older book, so you can get it quite inexpensively from Amazon.com.  However, we gladly borrowed it from our local public library.

We recently created a printable worksheet based on an experiment we set up to investigate electromagnets. Its a very simple set-up and can be created with common materials that shouldn’t be too difficult to find in your local hardware store. The worksheet contains an explanation of the basic physics, a materials list, a diagram, explanation of the procedure and a reference list.

Download the worksheet

We created a worksheet that students can use to:

• Review Newton’s Third Law and the Scientific Method
• Record launch data
• Write-up experiment

Get the Worksheet

We also created a page dedicated to creating and launching Alka-Seltzer rockets so that your students can build them, too. If you like, you can watch our short video on our Alka-Seltzer rocket launches.

View the Step-by-Step Guide to building a Rocket

View the Video