Two Fun STEM Day Activities {Monday Made It}

Two fun STEM ideas to get kids thinking about DNA sequences and binary codes.
First of all, be shocked that I am writing a science post. I know that I'm shocked. In case you didn't know, I will be teaching science for the first time in sixteen years. That is also a shock, but it will be fine. I hope. Anyway...

I recently took my daughter to a STEM day at a local business. They had two really great hands-on activities that I wanted to share with you.

The first activity involved making a DNA model with licorice, colored mini marshmallows, and toothpicks. {Here is a link to the materials.}
The way that was suggested was not the way my OCD daughter chose to do it. The intended procedure was to do one side in a particular sequence. Each color of marshmallow stood for either C, T, A, or G. Then they were it identify the paired chemical and complete the other side. My daughter did the correct pairings, just did a patterned sequence.

The other activity asked my daughter to use colored beads to create her name in binary code. At least part of the materials came from {this website}.
Once she got the code for each letter, it was time to count up how many beads were needed in each color. They used Perler beads for this activity.
Then it was time to string them up! She chose pink for the Xs and purple for the blanks. The dark blue are the spacers between each letter.

Two fun STEM ideas to get kids thinking about DNA sequences and binary codes.



5 comments

  1. Thanks for sharing the STEM ideas, Diane! Science is not my favorite, but the more time I spend in 5th grade, the more it is growing on me. The kid enjoy it...I suppose that is what matters the most!
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

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  2. Neat STEM activities. Thanks for sharing! I'm always in need of Science lessons myself. We don't really have an updated Science curriculum so we have to find materials on our own.

    Have a great week!
    -Tracy

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  3. Looks like you had some fun! Last year was my first year teaching Science and I am super stoked to teach it again next year! I did a lot of STEM activities and want to do more, even better ones this year with my fifth graders! SO much fun!

    Happy Monday!
    Jamie
    Life As I Know It

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  4. I think you will like teaching science. I hate the materials prep/ management aspect but I love seeing the kids fall in love with the chance to experiment and learn about their world.

    My Bright Blue House

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  5. Adding these to my STEM activities for this year! They are awesome! How fun! Thanks for linking up:)
    4th Grade Frolics

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