Outreach

Molecular Biology Core Facility

Contact Us

We enjoy working with our community to make science engaging and accessible. Our team can partner with you to create classroom or group activities focused on the scientific method, biological molecules, or molecular techniques. We are also available to bring these experiences to your location.

To request a science outreach session, email mbcf@etsu.edu.

Ideas to Bring Molecular Biology to your Group or Class

  • The Scientific Method

    Learn about the scientific method and statistics using a bag of multi-colored chocolate candies. Students will gather information about the average number of each color candy in a bag and then make and test hypotheses about what color they expect will be drawn from a bag of unknowns. They will then compare their data to the expected results using the same statistical methods as our scientists. Time: 1 hourAges: 6+

    Learn about the scientific method using a bag of multi-colored fruit candies. Participants will make and test hypotheses about what will happen when the colors from several candies are mixed. It's rare for a participant to expect the results, so this project is excellent for teaching about test-refine-retest nature of scientific discovery. Older participants will learn literature research methods to reveal the underlying science. Time: 1 hourAges: 6+

  • DNA Structure

    Participants will isolate DNA from produce- strawberries, bananas, onions, and more while learning about cellular and nucleic acid structure. Time: 1 hourAges: 6+

    Hear the exciting story of how the structure of DNA was discovered and make a tasty model of the famous double helix using candy (we love candy). Time: 1 hourAges: 6+

    Isolate your own DNA from cells on the inside of your cheek and show them off in a wearable momento. Time: 1 hourAges: 8+

  • Central Dogma

    Learn how the genetic information encoded in the As, Ts, C, and Gs of our DNA gets turned into the proteins that make us who we are. Choose a secret message and assemble a bracelet or key chain with a code that only a molecular biologist can crack. Time: 1 hourAges: 8+

    See how a few typos in the genetic code can make a big impact. Decode directions to make a bee from pipe cleaners and compare your new pollinator friend to others in your group. Find the mutation that led to each difference. Time: 1 hourAges: 12+

    Use advanced molecular biology techniques to make E. coli glow in the dark using a gene from the bioluminescent jellyfish Aequorea victoria. Time: Two 1 hour sessions on consecutive daysAges: 12+

  • Genetics

    Gregor Mendel recognized mathematical patterns in the characteristics of his garden peas from one generation to the next. He grew over 10,000 plants in the course of eight years as he used these patterns to formulate his three laws of heredity. Learn more about his laws of segregation, independent assortment, and dominance as you solve the puzzle of genetic inheritance. Time: 1 hourAges: 12+

    Put on your detective hat and solve a crime using DNA fingerprinting, a forensics technique that generates evidence admissable in real court cases. Our most popular case is "Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?" (Yes, we have a sweet tooth!) Time: 1 hourAges: 12+

    Use real CRISPR gene editing technology to disrupt the lacZ gene in E.coli and visualize the phenotypic results. Time: Three 90 minute sessions or five 1 hour sessions on consecutive daysAges: 14+

    Play doctor as you explore the links between opioid dependence, genetic predisposition, the neurobiology of reward pathways, and environmental factors. Time: Two to five 1 hour sessions on consecutive daysAges: 14+

  • Molecular Techniques

    Try your hand at one of the lab techniques we use daily while developing your understanding of metric conversions and decimals. Compete to see if you can pipet with greater accuracy or precision than the pros (we'll use statistics to find out!) Time: 1 hour+Ages: 8+

    Separate the colors hidden within food dyes in this assay that we use to separate DNA fragments. Time: 1 hourAges: 8+

  • Ask a Scientist

    Yes, we are real live scientists! With puppies, chocolate addictions, and a love for sharing our scientific expertise. We even love it when we don't know the answers and get to learn new things with you. Contact us to set up an in-person or virtual event in which participants can ask us anything about molecular biology, medical research, or the life of a scientist.  If we don't know the answers, we'll show you how the experts find out. Time: AnyAges: All

    Did a documentary on NetFlix leave you wanting to know more? Was something on the news confusing? Email us your questions. We'll reply with easy to understand answers and links to the real data behind them. Time: AnyAges: All

    Everyone loves to get mail, so long as its not a bill! Practice your penmanship and get handwritten responses from our personnel. Letters from us may even include special goodies depending on availability. Upon request, we can match participants with a scientist pen pal! Time: AnyAges: All