Guilford Elementary

DNA Day at Guilford

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day, a day to celebrate our friends with an additional 21st chromosome. At Guilford, they took that idea and ran with it. How could they make it more??

Enter in the HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) club from PHS and the motivation of some incredible teachers… And DNA Day at Guilford was born. 

Each grade had a DNA activity tailored to their age group with help from the high school HOSA students. Kindergarten learned about Karyotypes, where they wore headbands with chromosomes. First grade learned about how DNA is created by matching up wristbands to create a DNA strand using themselves and their classmates. Second grade matched themselves with their matching chromosome–an activity that took attention to detail.

Third grade made edible DNA models with licorice and marshmallowsFourth grade extracted DNA from bananas--no easy task! Fifth grade created 3D models of DNA using nucleotide, sugar, and base pieces. Throughout each of these activities, students’ attention was brought back to DNA, what it is, and how our friends with Down Syndrome have an extra chromosome. 

Additionally, over the last month, Mrs. Bammann’s fifth grade students have been selling paper chromosomes they designed for .50 each day to make DNA strands that are hanging in the media center.

Two students also designed a t-shirt that was sold (over 200–the yellow shirts in the photos!). Bammann’s class had a goal of raising $1000 for Down Syndrome Indiana, and with a few more t-shirt payments still coming in, they’re at almost $1100 to donate! Couple that with Down Syndrome Indiana’s donation match on 3/21 and they’ll be able to donate over $2000!

Ending the day with a convocation, some fun games, and a big donation to Down Syndrome Indiana is the cherry on top of the biggest, best sundae that was DNA Day!