Grades
4-6
Strawberry DNA extraction
Students extract real, visible DNA from a strawberry using soap, salt, and rubbing alcohol. This is a great first step for a future genetic engineer. Kitchen-cost materials, and a printable observation worksheet is included.
What students do
- Mash a strawberry to break its cells open
- Use soap and salt to free the DNA, then filter out the pulp
- Add cold alcohol and spool out real, visible DNA
What you'll need
A strawberry, a resealable bag, dish soap, salt, rubbing alcohol, a coffee filter, a clear cup, and a stirrer. About $15-20 a class (mostly kitchen supplies).
Full quantities and costs are in the materials & cost sheet.
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↓ Slides (.pptx) Guide & worksheets
The facilitator script and printable worksheets for this lesson live in the full toolkit.