How do you see something as microscopic as DNA? Our 8th graders became molecular engineers to find out!

In this hands-on lab, students extracted DNA from strawberries by navigating a three-step “security breach” of plant cells:

• Mechanical Breakdown: Mashing the strawberries to break through the tough cellulose cell walls.

• Chemical Lysis: Using a detergent buffer to dissolve the lipid cell membranes and nuclear envelopes—essentially popping the cells open.

• Protein Removal & Precipitation: Adding salt to help remove proteins, then ice-cold alcohol to force the DNA to clump together.

The result? The cloudy, stringy substance visible in the photos is thousands of strands of DNA bound together, making the invisible visible and bringing molecular biology to life. 

Hands-on labs like this allow our 8th graders to think, work, and learn like scientists. These experiences turn curiosity into discovery and make complex science concepts tangible and meaningful.