This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
Understanding the process of gel electrophoresis and performing a DNA Fingerprinting lab will enable my students to be better prepared for college and may even influence them to choose science as their future career.
My students are juniors and seniors at a large public high school in Southern California.
About 87% of my students qualify for the free and reduced lunch program. While my students families struggle financially, my students are determined to complete the requirements that will enable them to attend a university upon graduation. They also challenge themselves by taking rigorous elective courses like Advanced Placement Biology.
My Project
My students need a classroom DNA electrophoresis lab station. These electrophoresis tanks and power supplies will allow my students to conduct a DNA fingerprinting lab and evaluate the results. The students will conduct a hands-on investigation in which they will load several DNA samples into the wells of a gel and then place the gel inside the electrophoresis tank and turn on the power supply. The charge differential of the DNA will cause the DNA to move across the gel until the power supply is turned off. The students will then stain the DNA bands in the gel and measure the distance each band moved. Comparing this information to a standard, the students will be able to determine which suspects DNA sample matches the crime scene sample. This technology is the same technology used in crime labs around the world to solve crimes, and it is also used for paternity testing, environmental studies and evolutionary biology.
These materials are invaluable to teaching my students about the process of electrophoresis and how it can be used to solve crimes, show familial relationships, determine evolutionary relationships, and solve environmental dilemmas.
The knowledge my students will gain from this experience will help them in college and in many future careers, including forensics and scientific research.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Garcia and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
