Guest in High School Science

Eric Tong from ‘Iolani School, ‘Aina Infomatics program, taught the High School Honors Science classes a four day lab to determine if a papaya leaf is genetically modified. These valuable skills taught students how to process plant DNA from start to finish, and can be used in further science labs, science projects, or in college classes in the future. 

On day 1, students used a pipette to extract DNA from a papaya leaf.
On day 2, students cleaned and separated the papaya leaf DNA. 

On day 3, students learned about the centrifuge and thermocycler, and learned the mechanics of how GMO is processed in plants. 

On day 4, students loaded their DNA in a gel electrophoresis machine and determine if their leaf was genetically modified or not. 

 

This lab was sponsored by the ‘Aina Infomatics grand sponsor, Hawaii Dental Service.  Thank you to ‘Iolani School, for allowing their staff  to travel to Kauaʻi in order to support this lab.  Thank you to both  Kauaʻi High School and Hawaii Technology Academy for lending the equipment needed to support this lab.