WSKG partners with local teachers
to help kids learn about DNA
This
summer, Through a grant from SoundVision productions and The
DNA Files, WSKG Public Broadcasting partnered
with the Discovery
Center of the Southern Tier and the Roberson Museum and Science
Center to help teach students about DNA and
science.
WSKG
partnered with the Discovery Center of
the Southern Tier to design and build an interactive display
that helped to introduce children to scientific inquiry with
an investigation of genetics and the role that DNA plays in the
individuality of all living things. The display centered on a
vignette in the garden, based on ‘Charlotte’s Web.’ It featured
a gigantic spider’s web and was used to provide hands-on, interactive
resources to help children ages four to eight understand the
properties of plant and insect DNA.
KIDS
and DNA
WSKG’s Kathleen Cook visited the science camp over the summer. In this report
filed for WSKG Radio, she looks at how the Discovery Center and the University
teamed up to develop this hands-on way of teaching children about DNA and science.
Watch
Discovery Center students learning about DNA with lab experiments--in
YouTube video (requires the free flash
player):
WSKG was also able to offer ten scholarships
to children from rural school districts to attend the summer
session of DNA camp at the Roberson Museum and Science Center.
This camp is a joint project between the Roberson Museum and
Science Center and Binghamton University. This camp involved
a mock crime scene where the students collected evidence to figure
out the mystery. They collected DNA from the crime scene and
analyzed it as part of their crime-solving tools.
WSKG interviewed some of the kids attending
the camp and the teacher who supervises the program. Click to
see the YouTube video:
The
students at the Discovery Center learn about DNA with a lesson
about checken eggs. See the YouTube video:
The
Discovery Center students extract DNA from strawberries.
Watch the YouTube video:
Resources
for Teachers
and Families
Exploratorium
Workshops:
Genetic science affects many
aspects of our lives, including
our health, food, and families.
These interactive workshops,
created in conjunction with
five new episodes of the award-winning
public radio documentary series, The
DNA Files, provide
an introduction to the basics
of genetics for general audiences.
Hands-on activities explore
DNA’s structure and role in
evolutionary change, similarities
between humans and other creatures,
and the role of climate change
in genetic processes. The workshops
can be used on their own or
as an educational supplement
to The DNA Files radio
programs.
Each
hour-long workshop is designed
for 20 to 30 participants and is
geared to families and groups of
all ages. The DNA Files Workshop
Series is especially
appropriate for ages 7-12. Presenters
can download workshop scripts,
activity instructions, graphics,
and source lists of easily available
materials to create an engaging
learning experience for audiences
in a variety of settings. No prior
knowledge about DNA is required
for workshop presenters or participants.
My
First Book about DNA is a
book for parents and teachers
seeking to help young kids understand
DNA, genes, and cells. Future
scientists will be excited to
learn that the study of DNA can
be used to improve human health
and even solve crimes. For ages
9-12.
Have
a Nice DNA is part of the
Enjoy Your Cells series of children’s
books from the acclaimed creative
partnership of scientist/author
Fran Balkwill and illustrator
Mic Rolph. Once again, they use
their unique brand of simple
but scientifically accurate commentary
and exuberantly colorful graphics
to take young readers on an entertaining
exploration of the amazing, hidden
world of cells, proteins, and
DNA.
Talk of the Nation: Science
Friday airs Fridays from 2-4 p.m.
on WSQX
91.5
ATTENTION EDUCATORS in the
WSQX 91.5 lisening area! Make Science Friday a part of your middle-school
classroom every day by visiting Kids' Connection. Kids' Connection is the teacher
friendly companion of National Public Radio's award-winning radio program Talk
of the Nation: Science Friday.
Kids'
Connection offers discussion ideas,
activities, selected resources,
and related science standards.
These link programming to the classroom
curriculum and are designed to
help you freshen and energize the
required curricula in middle schools.
Discovery
Center of the Southern Tier and the Roberson Museum and Science
Center to help teach students about DNA and
science. 
Transcript
of report
Listen
now (9
minutes):
My
First Book about DNA is a
book for parents and teachers
seeking to help young kids understand
DNA, genes, and cells. Future
scientists will be excited to
learn that the study of DNA can
be used to improve human health
and even solve crimes. For ages
9-12. 
Have
a Nice DNA is part of the
Enjoy Your Cells series of children’s
books from the acclaimed creative
partnership of scientist/author
Fran Balkwill and illustrator
Mic Rolph. Once again, they use
their unique brand of simple
but scientifically accurate commentary
and exuberantly colorful graphics
to take young readers on an entertaining
exploration of the amazing, hidden
world of cells, proteins, and
DNA. 