Molecules, DNA and proteins tell incredible stories about a plant, animal, chemical, food, fabric and more. Unfortunately, examining these things in the classroom is difficult due to limitations in equipment and sometimes expertise. The Macromolecular Analysis Core can provide classes with both of those! Examining these fine-scale biological components can allow us to learn the composition of spider silk, discover new and related species, uncover pesticides in food and drink and more.
Extract DNA from peas and see the collection of strands at the end of the process.
Enhanced study of a scientific question - students delve deeper by asking questions which textbooks don't answer.
Increased critical thinking and focus of scientific questioning - students learn how to focus their question into a sentence or paragraph.
Improved writing skills - students get practice writing letters, thereby improving grammar, vocabulary and sentence flow.
Engagement with the scientific community - students feel a heightened sense of investment in the topic because it creates a platform for interacting with real scientists.
Contact the Biodiversity Institute at 307-766-6240 or biodiversity@uwyo.edu to discuss with Dorothy Tuthill, Associate Director, what your class can do this school year!
Need more context? Click here and here for a poster outlining the program and offering suggestions, and a handy postcard summarizing the idea. Contact Dr. Dorothy with any questions or to get your class involved.
>>Provide feedback on this and other programs the Biodiversity Institute offers.
