24-04-2025
Strawberries and DNA spark RISE Elementary students' interest in science
NEOSHO, Mo. — At the end of their experiment, RISE Elementary students were pulling out a gooey, stringy substance from their strawberry mush.
'That's not a booger, that's DNA,' Joseph Williams told the students. 'Science is kinda yucky sometimes, but it's fun.'
Williams, an assistant professor of basic sciences and director of assessment and data analytics for Kansas City University Joplin, helped students extract the DNA from strawberries using a couple of different chemical processes.
The 45 first graders used common household items for the experiment, but Williams told them it's similar to the process they do in the lab to extract human DNA. Extracting the DNA is important for research, testing and exploring the living world, he said.
The students mashed up their individual strawberries in a plastic bag. Then using a simple coffee filter and chemical reactions with things like dish soap and salt, they were able to extract DNA from the fruits with a straw.
Students only had to follow two rules — have fun and ask lots of questions.
'The whole idea about science is about curiosity,' Williams said. 'What we see up and down the spectrum of science education is that the skill of curiosity and wonder is the same skill we want to foster here today. The earlier we can see that science is available, it's accessible, and the questions students have are valid, the hope is that it's going to continue on to create another generation of wonderful scientists and physicians.'
First grade teacher Kacie Barratt said RISE Elementary — Reaching and Inspiring through STEAM Education — focuses on hands-on activities, including bringing in special guests and field trips to spark students' curiosity in science.
While DNA is an advanced concept for her class, students were excited to learn Wednesday and were engaged the entire time, she said. Barratt has a student who can be a bit reserved, but the experiment opened his world to new things.
'His quote was, 'Now this is the science I'm talking about,' Barratt said. 'I asked him if he wanted to be a doctor, and he said no, he wanted to be a scientist. He has been on cloud nine all this afternoon, he can't quit talking about the DNA. This meets kids where they are and also ignites something in their brains.'
First grader Bregan Burch said she had fun learning what DNA stands for, what it is and where it can be found, especially in the strawberries they used Wednesday.
'We watched it when we put it in the cup, and some people were being funny and smelling it,' Burch said. 'When we were watching it, the DNA popped up quick. When I got it in my bag, it didn't really look like what I thought it would look like. It was really gooey.'
Burch isn't quite sure if she wants to be a scientist but maybe wants to work with animals such as dolphins, jellyfish and sea otters. Those animals all have DNA in them, she noted.
Williams hoped his presentation sparked students' interest in medicine and science, and that starts with the makeup of the world around them. He wanted students to understand that DNA is inside of them and makes up all the living matter.
'When they start to see that all life, whether that's human life or a bug or a tree, it all comes back to these basic biochemical structures that whenever they're out on the playground they can start to explore and stay curious about,' Williams said.
The earlier they engage students with these concepts, the better, Williams continued.
'Curiosity and love and compassion are such foundational things of the human experience,' Williams said. 'It's almost one of those things that the earlier we see students, those things haven't had the chance to be deconditioned at times. While we want to help build knowledge, we want to keep that curiosity as well.'
At the end of the afternoon, Barratt thanked Williams for giving the students an experience they'll never forget.
'It's important so they know there's all kinds of options out there for them, there are all kinds of careers,' Barratt said. 'The world is so big. It opens their eyes to new adventures they can go on. This is a memory that will last a lifetime.'
