Y10 Science Taster at CCCU
Posted on: 12/12/201830 of the finest minds in Year 10 decided to test their mettle in the science laboratories of Canterbury Christ Church University.
In the morning they performed a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of Bacterial DNA – which effectively allowed them to isolate a section of the bacterial DNA and produce millions of copies of it. This, without any exaggeration, is the absolutely vital foundation on which all of our modern cloning, medical diagnostic and forensic DNA technologies are now based.
The Year 10’s were then faced with the challenge of removing and extracting DNA from the cells of Strawberries. This involved a lot of squishing, squashing, smooshing and smashing. Needless to say, due to the vigour with which they set to the task, many of the bags split, and emergency cleaning materials had to be hastily collected!
Overall, it was a fantastic day, and students were an absolute credit to themselves and to the School. Just be careful not to leave any strawberries out within easy reach!
Written by: Mr Butterworth (Head of Physics)
