How to Extract DNA from Strawberries and Other STEAM DIY’s

Want to learn how to break cells apart with just a few simple ingredients?

Here’s how to Extract DNA from Strawberries:

1. Smash frozen strawberries in a plastic bag!
2. Mix together salt, liquid dish detergent, and water
and add to the frozen strawberries.
3. Swirl it around without making bubbles.
4. Strain all of the liquid with a coffee filter or paper towel into a bowl.
5. Throw out the solids and only use the liquid.
6. Drizzle rubbing alcohol down the side of the bowl.
7. See the DNA congeal into white globs in between the layers of alcohol and strawberry mixture!

So cool and easy right?? You are a scientist!

What is DNA?
deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information. You can learn more about DNA here.

Why is this Cool?
DNA is a part of every cell. What you’ve done is break apart the cell structure through a couple of chemical reactions using household ingredients. First the strawberry cell wall is broken with the salt, water, and liquid detergent mixture. Then you’ve caused the DNA to separate when the rubbing alcohol touched your mixture.

Discovery Question: What other fruit could you use to extract DNA?
Can’t figure out the answer? Email us. We’re glad to help!

And here are some other cool STEM influenced DIY’s that you can try at home. In case you haven’t heard of STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM, previously SMET) is an education grouping used worldwide. The acronym refers to the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The term is typically used when addressing education policy and curriculum choices in schools to improve competitiveness in science and technology development. It has implications for workforce development, national security concerns and immigration policy. The acronym arose in common use shortly after an interagency meeting on science education held at the US National Science Foundation. Learn more about STEM here.

At Pop Shop America, we greatly prefer STEAM because the arts should always be included in education. According to DoSomething.org, researchers find that sustained learning in music and theater correlates strongly with higher achievement in both math and reading. And new brain research shows that not only does music improve skills in math and reading, but it promotes creativity, social development, personality adjustment, and self-worth.

Here’s how to make Crystal Seashells with Borax and the results are just stunning.

DIY Kaleidoscope – This is a particularly stylish version from Babble Dabble Do blog.

I absolutely adore these Tiny Dancers atop Batteries. Here’s an easy way to build a motor and to learn about circuits. This is another DIY by Babble Dabble Do Blog, a blog that I am absolutely falling in love with.

How to Make Shaving Cream Rain Clouds from the One Little Project Blog.

Let’s Stay Friends!

Insta | Pinterest | Enews | TikTok