NGSS-Aligned Color Dyes and Gel Electrophoresis MiniLab

NGSS-aligned Color Dyes and Gel Electrophoresis MiniLab introduces middle school students to separation science in a variety of contexts. Lab includes enough materials for 10 of students, ideal for grades 6 – 9.

Description
A comprehensive, 5E inquiry, week-long lesson plan that introduces students to separation science in a variety of contexts. Student-driven inquiry activities impart the scientific background needed to understand gel electrophoresis. The curriculum culminates in a gel electrophoresis experiment using colorful dyes. The curriculum is provided as a downloadable PDF manual which includes comprehensive background readings, student worksheets, and teacher support materials. Lab materials and a PowerPoint presentation are also included. Recommended for middle school students (grades 6-9).

Materials Included in Each MiniLab
Each MiniLab contains enough materials for 10 workstations, 2 – 3 students per workstation. Materials include:

• Ten 1% agarose gel cups
• Six color dye samples
• One set of filter papers and green food coloring for exploring paper chromatography
• One bottle of 100 mL Tris-Borate-EDTA (TBE) buffer concentrate
• One bag of 0.65 mL microcentrifuge tubes
• One bag of 1-200 µL micropipette tips
• Downloadable PDF manual which includes comprehensive background readings, student worksheets, and teacher support materials