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xplore living things, the human body and genetics with these adaptable programs!

Axolotls in the Classroom

This program invites teachers to house an axolotl (an endangered aquatic Mexican salamander) in their classroom for one semester. Aquarium set-up and supplies are the responsibility of the teacher while care instructions, lesson plans that allow you to incorporate your axolotl into your curriculum, and an axolotl will be provided by the Life Science Lab.
Program length: 1 semester
Grades: 3-5
Cost: Varies

The Biology of The Giver

Several hands-on activities will connect literature to dominant biology themes in The Giver, by Lois Lowry. Participants will learn about the brain and memory, as well as understand the biological basis for individual traits and characteristics.
Program length: 1 hour
Maximum: 30
Grades: 4-12
Cost: $120 per group

Body Connections

Explore the major body systems with hands-on activities. You choose four systems.

• Circulatory - Students simulate the parts of the circulatory system and take a reading with a pulse-oximeter.
• Digestion - Compare mechanical and chemical digestion.
• Immune - Have fun matching antibodies with their specific antigen.
• Muscular - Locate antagonistic pairs of muscles in your body.
• Nervous - Experience how your brain coordinates information from multiple sensory receptors.
• Respiratory - Measure your peak air flow and find out what kind of air you breathe out.
• Skeletal - See your bones act as levers; discover the importance of joints.

DNA Gene Shorts

Introduce your group to the world of DNA! Choose four of the following:

• Adaptoids - See how traits are passed to offspring with these fun creatures (out new activity based on University of Wisconsin's Reebops).
• Cell Game - Learn the basic parts of a cell and what they do.
• Cheek Cell DNA Extraction - See your own DNA without a microscope.
• Create a Karyotype - Find out what chromosomes can tell us about a person.
• DNA Disco - Turn your group into a living model of DNA.
• DNA Sequencing - Translate a sequencer output into the genetic code for a trait.
• Electrophoresis - Use electricity to separate DNA into distinct bands.
• Inheritance Bracelets - Examine several of your own one-gene traits.
• Looking at Cells - Examine a variety of cells using microscopes.
• Paper Plasmids - Learn how a gene can be inserted into another organism.
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Dash - Make copies of DNA from a small sample.
• Predicting with Pedigrees - Construct a pedigree and learn about inherited traits.
• Spell Your Name in Genetic Code - Learn how four DNA bases code for proteins.

DNA To Go

This program includes hands-on activities and role-plays that focus on the basics of genetics and its applications in biotechnology. All activities are tailored to suit the needs and/or interests of the participants. Activities may cover: Learning the basic parts of a cell, Examining DNA, Understanding the Genetic Code, and/or Constructing a Pedigree to trace the likelihood of passing on a particular trait.
Program length: 1 hour
Maximum: 30
Cost: $200

Evolution and Adaptoids

Using fictional organisms, "Adaptoids", students will explore the major elements of evolution through examining pedigrees, stimulating natural selection and constructing evolutionary trees using morphology and genetic analysis.
Program length: 2 hours
Maximum: 30 per session
Grades: 6-12 Cost: $200 per group

Examining the Evidence

This program recreates a crime scene and analyzes the evidence left behind through hands-on, individual activities. From fingerprints to DNA, use the evidence to find out who did it!.
Program length: 2 hours
Maximum: 30
Grades: 5-12 Cost: $240 per group

Growing the Future with Agriculture

This program will help your students gain new appreciation for agriculture and a better understanding of the origin of their food. Activities include Corn Plastic, Beanie Babies, and Soil Sammy.
Program length: 1 hour
Maximum: 30
Grade: 4-6
Cost: $120 per group

Inner Body Tour

This program will help participants understand how the human body works. They will learn about their internal body parts with the help of Oganella.
Program length: 30 minutes
Maximum: 15
Grade: Pre-K (ages 3-4)
Cost: $60 per group

Inside of Me

This program introduces participants to the functions of various internal organs and body systems. Use models and hands-on activities to investigate different body systems. Topics may include circulatory, digestive, immune, muscular, nervous, respiratory or skeletal systems.
Program length: 1 hour
Maximum: 35
Cost: $200

Investigating Inheritance

This program has you working with the experts as you track down the gene for an inherited disease using biotechnology, from microscopy to PCR. Some prior genetics knowledge is recommended.
Program length: 2 hours
Maximum: 30
Grade: 6-12
Cost: $225 per group

Natural Selection: Be the Predator!

Students act as predators of a population of insects. See how natural selection acts on the insects and discover which species has the traits to survive! Each student will design a camouflaged butterfly to take home.
Program length: 1 hour
Maximum: 30 per session
Grade: 3-8
Cost: $120 per group

Customized Programming

The Science OFF Center Team will work with your Scout group, youth serving agency, or other non-formal education group to personalize our programs to meet your needs. We will come to any event! Birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, graduations, banquets, you name it! Whether you need programming to meet specific badge requirements or something that helps you address a grant related goal, let us help you meet the challenge. Our programs combine hands-on, inquiry-based learning with an appropriate amount of fun and exploration. Call (314)289-4439 to discuss your needs.

For a full listing of all our on-site and off-site programs, check out our complete program guide. Call (314)289-4439 for more information or to book a program.