Try this cool experiment!

 Learning is so fun. My favorite kind of learning is when I can really DO something to get the knowledge, like an experiment or writing and eraser hint an essay. I do like textbooks too though, but not as much. Let’s face it, science experiments are awesome. So how about if we do one together? 

And for our experiment, we’re going to be extracting berry DNA. Sounds cool, right? 

First, this is the most important. Get some music on! 

Now, place a bottle of rubbing alcohol in the freezer for like 15 minutes while you get the rest of your materials. 

Salt

Mason Jar

Dish soap

Tall drinking glass 

Funnel

Measuring cups

Spoon

Toothpick or bamboo skewer

Cheese cloth or any kind of mesh/netted fabric or a sieve with very small holes 

Bowl of any kind

Ziplock bag

Paper towel (for any mess! 😊) 

A few berries (strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry work best!)

Now, grab your rubbing alcohol and let’s begin! 

In your bowl, mix two cups of water, 3 tablespoons of dish soap, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Set the bowl aside. (The paper towel has really come in handy btw 😂)

Lay your funnel on top of the tall glass, and line it with your cheese cloth or place the sieve on top directly. 

Put two small berries or one large one in your ziplock and add a tablespoon and a half of your liquid. Make sure no air is in the bag, and seal it tightly. Really tightly. (I mean, really tightly. I only brought one paper towel with me! 😱)

Now for the really fun part! Smash the berry with your fingers for three minutes!

I’m squeezing away, and typing with one hand! 

Still squeezing. 

Still. 

Squeezing.

Ok, finally time’s up. 

You were a good fruit, Mr. Berry. I’m sorry you bled to death. But it turns out 911 doesn’t offer services for endangered blackberries. 

Pour Mr. Berry into your tall glass, making sure the funnel and cheese cloth are all in place. 

Drain all the liquid into the glass, then squeeze the cheese cloth gently. Remove the cheesecloth and the funnel and lay them on a paper towel so you can continue your experiment. Pour your berry juice into the Mason Jar till it is about a quarter full. Tilt the jar carefully and pour a teaspoon of the chilled rubbing alcohol down the side slowly. You will start to see something forming on top of the layer of juice. Wait a minute or two to see results.

Dip your toothpick or skewer into the mixture and slowly pull it out. Do you see a strand of DNA?

Don’t worry if you can’t. This project isn’t super effective, but if it works for you please let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your tips. 

Love you all! Byeeee