Science Club

Science club got off to an insect-themed start this academic year, with students meeting the fully grown stick insects that hatched in May earlier this year. They learned what they eat, how they dance to mimic the wind and also play dead to protect themselves from harm. All students had the chance to handle them and take part in a naming ceremony.

The following week, students took part in extracting DNA from Strawberries. This is something that can be done at home too. See the method below if you wish to try it. The results are amazing!

Method

  1. Put a strawberry into a plastic bag, seal it and crush for about 2 minutes.
  2. In a cup mix together 10 cm3 of washing up liquid, 1 g of salt and 100 cm3 water. This mixture will break down cell membranes and release the DNA.
  3. Add 10 cm3 of the extraction liquid to the bag with the strawberry mix together for 1 minute.
  4. Filter the strawberry mixture. (You can use kitchen roll.)
  5. Pour 10 cm3 of ice-cold 90% ethanol (alcohol) down the side of the beaker into the strawberry mixture, do not mix or stir. The DNA will separate out into this layer.

Within a few seconds you should see a white cloudy substance form in the clear layer above the strawberry mixture. Use a lolly stick to pull strands of this out of the top layer. This is the strawberry DNA.

Next on the agenda is spooky Halloween slime, dissection, flame tests and rainbow pH.

Mrs R Cahill

Science teacher

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  • Artsmark Platinum Award - Awards by Arts Council England
  • Lancashire Socio-economic Equality Badge
  • SMART
  • UNICEF
  • School Mental Health Award
  • Ofsted - Outstanding Provider
  • International School Award
  • Artsmark Platinum Award - Awards by Arts Council England
  • Lancashire Socio-economic Equality Badge
  • SMART
  • UNICEF
  • School Mental Health Award
  • Ofsted - Outstanding Provider
  • International School Award