All living things made up of cells have DNA. In science classes, students talk about DNA and the double helix strands that compose it. However, it's hard to imagine the DNA of a pumpkin or a strawberry when it just looks like a tasty treat. Seventh grade teacher and upper grade science teacher Claire Maser helped her classes extract and single out the DNA of the fruits during their science classes. 

The seventh grade started the DNA extraction process with a pumpkin. Joined by their first grade chapel buddies, they examined pumpkins and extracted DNA from the inside of the pumpkin. The following day, the eighth grade had their oppoortunity to look at DNA when they extracted it from a strawberry. 

First, the students smashed the strawberry inside of a plastic bag. Then, they added several mililiters of an extracting solution made from household items to the bag. Using two coffee filters they strained the strawberry liquids into a jar. The students added isopropyl alcohol to the strawberry juice and the DNA separated and rose to the top. The students were able to touch it with a toothpick and examine what the DNA looks like without a microscope in front of them. 

Fruit DNA Extraction - 2026