Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms

Marc Pedersen Paulding County High School

Academy of Science, Research, & Medicine

Jordan Rose Georgia BioEd Institute

Executive Director

Casey Bethel New Manchester High School

2017 Georgia Teacher of the Year

Georgia STEM Forum 2016

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity-DNA Extractions

• Is this something you do with your students?

• Materials- table salt, alcohol, dish soap, plastic bags, cups

• Crush strawberries in bag with soap and salt.

• Pour liquid into cup or test tube.

• Slowly pour alcohol into tube.

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity-DNA Extractions

• Let’s discuss the benefits of conducting this activity in the classroom.

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity-Gel Electrophoresis

• Materials- power supplies, pre-poured gels, gel chamber, buffer, pipets, dyes in tubes

• Verbal instructions for setting up apparatus with the gel and the buffer

• Pipetting the dyes • Run current at 100 volts for

30 minutes

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity-Dilution of Buffer

• Do you remember how to perform a dilution? • Although the dilution has already been done

for you, let’s briefly discuss this process.

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity-Gel Electrophoresis

• Let’s discuss how gel electrophoresis can be done on a budget. But first…

• What is already available at your school or school district?

• Have you recently looked at prices for

equipment and basic supplies?

While gels are running…

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity-Gel Electrophoresis on a Budget

• Complete MiniOne system for under $300 • Gels can be made with 10%-20% Knox

unflavored gelatin. • Chamber made in Tupperware container • Power supply made of 9-volt batteries • Buffer made with 1% solution baking soda

MiniOne-$275

http://www.instructables.com/ While gels are running…

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity- Prepare Agar Petri Dish

• Materials- agar, water, petri dishes, markers • Verbal instructions for mixing and heating agar

using microwave or hotplate • Labeling the plates correctly • Technique for pouring and storing the plates

While gels are running…

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity- Kirby-Bauer Zone of Inhibition

• Materials- Inoculated plates with discs

• Discussion on zone of inhibition

• Share results and applications in the classroom

While gels are running…

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity- Agarose Results

• Let’s view and share our electrophoresis results. • Any additional thoughts/concerns?

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity- Agarose Results

• Any attempt at real electrophoresis is better than a worksheet, right?

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity- Microbial Diversity

• Materials- Plates swabbed at various locations in school

• Discussion on morphology, cell structure/function

• Share interesting results with others

• Discuss applications in classrooms

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity- Streaking a Plate

• Materials- Plates poured earlier in session

• Inoculated conical tubes • Toothpicks and straws • Discuss importance of

isolated colonies

E. coli (HB101)

Now let’s talk about performing these last techniques on a budget.

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity- Streaking a Plate

• Materials- Plates poured earlier in session

• Inoculated conical tubes • Toothpicks and straws • Discuss importance of

isolated colonies

E. coli (HB101)

Now let’s talk about performing these last techniques on a budget.

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Activity- Agar on a Budget

• Instead of nutrient agar, use 10%-20% gelatin. • Add 3-4 crushed beef bullion cubes. • Add a spoonful of sugar. • Pour “agar” into foil muffin cups or any

suitable clean container. • Wrap toothpicks in foil and heat in oven. • Use bendable straws to make lawn bacteria

and the toothpicks to streak colonies. • Incubate at room temperature for a longer

period of time.

Simple and Easy Biotech for STEM Classrooms Closing Thoughts and Needs of Teachers

• Georgia BioEd Institute

• Finding funding and grant opportunities

• Applications beyond basic biotech

• Sharing resources- www.PedersenScience.com

• Final thoughts from participants