November 2016 Blog Post - Science Week

This November, we showed both young and old Dubliners what scientists do in the laboratory and the important role of DNA and genes.  On Tuesday, 15th November, we and three researchers from Systems Biology Ireland, UCD, went to visit the Good Shepherd primary school in Churchtown, Dublin.  Students from 3rd to 6th class learned about DNA and how it stores our genetic information. Under our supervision , they then extracted DNA out of bananas by themselves.  In total, 63 students took part in the activities.

On Wednesday, 23rd November, 30 senior citizens attended a lecture entitled DNA – Introduction, Applications and Implications. The lecture was held by Dr Michael Freeley, School of Biotechnology, DCU. The participants subsequently witnessed a laboratory demonstration of a DNA profiling experiment. The event was organised by ABE Ireland in collaboration with the DCU Intergenerational Learning Programme. Both the children and senior citizens were very enthusiastic and asked many questions. For us it was very rewarding to see such a great interest in science across the generations.