My students need a class set of gel electrophoresis equipment and a DNA Electrophoresis Lab kit to explore DNA fingerprinting and other biotechnology topics.
We are a rural, low-income school district surrounded by farmland, which many students live and work on. Many of my students are tactile or kinesthetic learners who enjoy being able to get out of their desks, work with their hands, experiment, and create things.
Our district is in the process of rebuilding after a period of financial hardship in which we had to downsize and cut many of our elective courses.
Forensic Science was created as a new elective course to give students the hands-on learning opportunities they were missing and to increase interest in science careers.
My Project
Students will learn valuable science lab skills such as pouring agarose gels, using micropipets, loading samples into wells, and running electrophoresis gels. They will apply their skills during the inquiry-based lab investigations to solve a 'crime' as well as determine paternity by analyzing the DNA fingerprint results.
Student engagement will soar as they investigate DNA evidence using the same techniques as actual forensic detectives.
Students will be able to compare real-life crime lab procedures to what they see on TV crime shows. These tools will help clear up common misconceptions about DNA evidence and also inspire students to pursue careers in medicine, criminal justice, or other science fields.
While these materials will be put to use in our Forensic Science elective course, other students will also benefit as this equipment will also be used for other science classes, including Biology, Anatomy, and Zoology.
More than a third of 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
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Abrams-Ruque and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
