To aid our exploration of genetics, students recently visited the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm in Detroit to learn more about The Cosmopolitan Chicken Project. This project originally began in 1999 in Belgium by artist Koen Vanmechelen. Attempting to make a statement on the importance of global diversity and national identity, Koen took the national chicken of various countries around the globe and began cross-breeding them. With each successive generation, he created a cosmopolitan chicken with global genes, and found that the more diverse their genetics were, the more resilient and healthy the chicken was. Students were able to see and hold the newest breed of this project. You can read more in-depth about the project here.
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In preparation for a field trip next week regarding the cross-breeding of chickens, we began exploring the science of genetics. We started with this introductory video which walks students through the structure and function of DNA. We then zoomed in on specific sections of our DNA, known as genes, using this video as a starting point for our discussion. Students spent time individually or with partners creating their own models of DNA strands through an origami exercise.
Students also explored samples of their own DNA through an experiment involving an activity where the students were able to extract and view strands of their own DNA. After swishing around Gatorade and collecting that in a cup, the students added dish soap, pineapple juice, and rubbing alcohol to the solution. The salts in the Gatorade, as well as the enzymes in the pineapple juice, helped break down the cell membranes. Because the detergent molecules have two different ends, one attracted to fat molecules and one attracted to water, it was added to help separate the pieces of membrane from the DNA. Finally, the rubbing alcohol was added because DNA does not dissolve in alcohol, thus making the DNA visible. Should you be interested in trying this at home, a link to the activity can be found here. |
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