DNA-labs on the Road
DNA, genes, genomes and modern DNA-research. In the ‘DNA labs on the Road’ students get the chance to try out the latest technologies.
In current biology education, DNA is an important, but rather isolated and abstract theme. For many students the connection between genes, the molecules in a cell and the final functioning of an organism often turns out to be difficult to understand.
This connection is exactly the focus of genomics. Now that we are able to ‘read’ the complete DNA0-code, we become increasingly aware of the complexity of a living organism. Using new techniques, genomics researchers are now better able to unravel that complexity. This results in new knowledge that could play an important role in different elements of our everyday life – ranging from hospital to supermarket and from nature reserve to industry.
Universities
The ‘DNA-labs on the road’ span the gap between biology and chemistry in schools. Using the latest developments in genomics allows students to work on current topics in science using advanced techniques. The DNA-labs have been developed by Dutch universities and the national Genomics Centres of the Netherlands Genomics Initiative (NGI) and are co-ordinated by the ‘VWO-campus’ at Wageningen University. Students from five universities, Delft University of Technology, Leiden University, Radboud University Nijmegen, Utrecht University and Wageningen University, supervise the DNA-lab when it comes to your school.
Six DNA-labs
Six different DNA-labs are available, each focusing on a different aspect of modern DNA-research. The DNA-labs demonstrate that knowledge of genes and molecules in a living cell plays a crucial role in areas that are important to us all: food, health and the environment. In addition, the DNA-labs also show that progress in science can lead to socially relevant issues and questions.
Two-hour practical
The DNA-labs are designed for students who are midaway through grammar school. The description of each DNA-lab on this website indicates the required background knowledge on topics that should be familiar to the students. After registering your class with one of the DNA-labs, two university students will visit your school on the agreed date and organise the practical, which lasts two consecutive lessons. The students bring all the necessary equipment and materials, meaning that schools don’t have to prepare anything for the practical part of the DNA-lab. We do however like you to dedicate one lesson beforehand to the theoretical preparation of the practical and one lesson afterwards to wrap up and discuss the results.
Preparation
The preparatory lesson introduces the students to the particular topic of the chosen DNA-lab and the techniques they will be using. The main purpose of the closing lesson is to discuss the social relevance of DNA-research. You will be provided in advance with teaching material for both lessons, allowing you to schedule the lessons at your convenience. Participating in a DNA-lab, including the teaching material, is completely free of charge. We wholeheartedly invite you and your students to discover the fascinating world of genomics. This website offers you information on all five DNA-labs. For questions, please contact us by e-mail at: info@dnalabs.nl.
Registration
Teachers can register their class for a ‘DNA-lab on the road’ by filling in the online registration form of their preferred DNA-lab. You will be automatically redirected to the relevant form once you have indicated your preference.
