Spring 2023 Programs
Descriptions of our remaining Saturday STEM programs are below.
DNA Day – In-Person @ IMSA-Aurora Campus – April 22
Grades 3-4
Happy DNA Day (which is every April 25)! DNA is the universal molecule of life – that means every living thing has DNA, from infection-causing bacteria to the very plants we eat and enjoy all around us. DNA is even inside us humans and also within our pets!! In this exciting Saturday STEM, our budding biologists will extract DNA from a living thing – a plant, such as an onion, strawberry, or banana. Applying the concepts related to the structure and function of DNA, students will harness the power of certain chemicals needed to separate DNA from the rest of the plant’s tissue in order to see the DNA come out of the solution right before their eyes! Students will also create a small model of a DNA molecule to take home as a celebration of this important biomolecule and as a memento for their experiences in the lab with us.
Grades 5-6
If genes are the storybooks of life, and DNA is the universal language of those stories, then chemicals called DNA nucleotides can be considered the alphabet of this important language. And, given the incredible diversity of life on this planet, it becomes that much more mind-boggling to realize that there are only four DNA “letters” in the alphabet of life: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Guanine (G) and Cytosine (C). In this program, we will be exploring the chemistry of DNA nucleotides which encode all the genetic material that makes us who we are. We will also investigate how misspellings in the DNA storybook of an individual can lead to unexpected twists and turns (i.e. mutations) in our genome. Students will leave this program with their own 3D models of the A, T, C, G DNA nucleotides and a newfound appreciation for the significant role that these four tiny “letters” play in the story of all living things on Earth.
| School Year: 2022-2023 | Modality | Date | Time | Cost | Registration | Scholarship Application* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 3-4 | In-person @ IMSA | 4/22/23 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM CST | $50 | Register Now | Apply Now |
| Grades 5-6 | In-person @ IMSA | 4/22/23 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM CST | $50 | Register Now | Apply Now |
*Applying and qualifying for a scholarship does not guarantee an award or registration into the program. To qualify for a scholarship, the student’s family is required to submit proof of financial eligibility: if you qualify for SNAP or Free/Reduced lunch, you qualify, but we need you to submit proof of eligibility. If you do not have a form in your possession or have difficulty getting it from your school or IDHS, you may submit a screenshot showing eligibility. Please contact us at studentenrichment@imsa.edu if you have difficulty with this requirement. Alternatively, a 2021 or 2022 federal tax return showing proof of family income may be submitted.
- Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, so it is to your benefit to submit all supplemental forms as soon as possible.
- WATCH YOUR EMAIL and CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER! Award recipients will be notified via email and must reply to the scholarship offers within the time period indicated in the email.
- NOTE: You may choose to either pay for program registration OR apply for a scholarship and await award notification. Your scholarship application will not be considered if you also complete a paid registration.
No requests for a registration cancellation/refund for virtual programs will be accommodated if they are received less than 5 days before a program begins. Requests must be made in writing via an email to: studentenrichment@imsa.edu. Please include the program name and your student’s full name.
No requests for a registration cancellation/refund will be accepted for all in-person Saturday STEM programming.
