CUB SCOUT SCIENCE BADGE

DNA DAY


Undergraduate and graduate students in the Trakselis lab participate at local elementary schools to explain DNA as the genetic material in cells. 3rd-4th grade students will isolate cells from their own saliva and extract DNA in this hands on demonstration guided by members of the Trakselis lab. Thanks to Bio-Rad for their generous support of materials!

MICROORGANISM BATTLES


Students swab locations within the school including the science classroom, various animals (including snakes, frogs, turtles, lizards, and bats) and even Teacher’s Cell Phones! They then plate the bacteria and see what grows. We pit one sample against the other to determine who has a higher amount and diversity of microorganism growth.

ARCHAEA IN SCHOOLS

We are working with local schools (students and teachers) to expand the current biology curriculum to include the 3 DOMAIN classification of organisms in place of the outdated 5 or 6 Kingdoms of life currently emphasized in the Grade 8 STARR Science Assessment. We are developing outreach materials to ease the transition towards teaching of the 3 DOMAINS. Download our student and teacher handout for initial information. Kingdoms to Domains Handout

Please contact me at michael_trakselis@baylor.edu should your local Waco area school be interested in benefiting from these outreach programs.

STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IMPACTED TO DATE >2100