DNA Learning Center Hosts SEARCH
An all-day visit to the DNA Learning Center in Cold Spring Harbor provided four dozen sixth graders in the Huntington School District’s SEARCH program with a multitude of experiences in forensic science.
The labs were customized to relate to a forensics unit that has captivated the students for several months. The group from Woodhull Intermediate School (and district residents from St. Patrick’s School who are eligible for the SEARCH program) participated in a lab session dubbed the “Mystery of Anastasia” and studied DNA fingerprinting, as well as taking a tour of the museum and watching a short movie on DNA.
Sixth graders from Jack Abrams Intermediate School engaged in a hands-on session centered on forensic anthropology and a two-hour DNA fingerprinting lab.
“I felt it was an important experience for every student to have,” said Maryann Daly, SEARCH teacher and program chairperson. “We are so close to a wonderful place where science and the accomplishments of geneticists have been recognized worldwide. The instructors were well prepared and interesting.”
During the DNA fingerprinting lab, the youngsters had to carefully listen to specific instructions on the correct use of pipettes containing dye. “They then slowly inserted their dye into six wells formed in trays made out of solidified gel,” Mrs. Daly explained. “The culmination of this lab indicated which, if any, of the three suspects’ DNA matched the evidence found at the scene of a crime.”
During a forensic anthropology lab, students had to reconstruct a human skeleton according to precise guidelines. It wasn’t an easy task as students discovered during the interesting and fun session. A related video detailing how the face of a missing person can be reconstructed through the use of new technology also grabbed everyone’s attention.
The “Mystery of Anastasia” was another thought-provoking lab. During this hour, students discovered the key role played by forensics in determining if a woman calling herself Anna Anderson was actually the missing Anastasia Romanov, who was presumed murdered along with other members of Russia’s imperial family by the Bolshevik secret police on July 17, 1918.
“Prior to the trip, we spent several SEARCH classes discussing the Romanov dynasty and the Russian Revolution, including Lenin and Rasputin,” Mrs. Daly said. “Using a SMART Board presentation I had created, students viewed newsreel clips describing each member of the Romanov family and how the controversy over whether or not Anna Anderson was actually the missing Anastasia held the interest of the world and certainly the media for a very long period of time. Without forensic investigations being involved in this mystery, people would have never known what actually happened to the missing Anastasia until a few years ago.”
The day breezed by for students. Mrs. Daly said she is hopeful students will remember some of the important information they learned, which will help make the year’s remaining SEARCH classes more meaningful.
A culminating experience is set for June 18 when a Manhattan assistant district attorney will present authentic slides and information relating to a crime scene and how forensic science played a vital role in capturing the guilty party. Students are already looking forward to the visit.
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