Edible DNA Model
Area
Sciences
Duration
1 session
Dimension of the advised group of students
10-15 students divided in 4/5 groups
Specific objectives
-Making science fun
-Get to know about how or DNA is working and its components
Needed Materials
Twizzlerz
Colored marshmallows
Software
The activities are onsite.
Description
High schoolers, even those with a strong interest in STEM, sometimes find genetics abstract and difficult to grasp. The terminology and rules governing DNA can seem impenetrable. One surefire way for you to enliven DNA learning is with a three-dimensional visual aid. Even better, you can construct it from your favorite sweet treats
There are four nitrogen bases that sequence to form a unique DNA strand: Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine. They arrange according to certain rules
Procedure on how to put in practice
Use Twizzlers (or Red Vines, if you prefer) as the phosphate backbone of the strand, and either gumdrops or colored marshmallows as the nitrogen bases.
From there, using a DNA strand plan coded to the candy colors, your student forms base pairings on toothpicks. Once all the pairings are set and sequenced, you can spear them in a “ladder” formation with the Twizzlers. With one twist, you’ll have a lovely, tasty double helix DNA strand.
