Zita Gloria INEZA TETA, Grade 12
UWCEA Moshi Campus
What I like about the IB curriculum is that it is hands on. During every class, you get to do something by yourself without always relying on the teacher. Sometimes these little experiences turn into funny experiments, IA ideas or inspiration to do more research.
This spirit is not any different when it comes to how we learn in our science classes, especially in Biology. In the first week of classes, we had already started doing some experiments. Entering the classroom, I was anxious about the new teacher and how I was going to adapt to her teaching style. But I immediately felt at ease when she didn’t go straight to theory but rather decided that we could do something practical. That way we could learn and relax at the same time. I was really surprised to see myself extract DNA from strawberries; something I would have never thought to be possible in my previous school. For me, it was just magical!
I couldn’t believe it. Even the Bio teacher from my former school could not believe it either. The process, on the other hand, was simple and easy to believe. Grinding the strawberries in a plastic bag to break them in small pieces, adding detergent and salt to destroy the plasma membrane. This was enough to expose the inside content of the cells, DNA inclusive. The DNA could then be filtered and alcohol would be added to separate DNA from the remaining solution. Thereafter, DNA is simply extracted using cotton swabs.
As I extracted DNA for the first time, it made me realize how simple Biology is. Do not get me wrong; Bio is hardcore and requires a lot of time investment. But most of the time, ground breaking discoveries are just made from very simple experiments such as this one. Going through this experiment has changed me in a lot of different ways. It has helped me view science from a different perspective. Now I know that science is all about being ambitious and courageous enough to step out of your comfort zone and use your ideas to solve world issues.
It has also helped me regain self-confidence. DNA was not known until Watson and Crick decided to have faith in their skills and come up with DNA’s structure in 1953. Prior to them, so many scientists have contributed to scientific research to salvage the human race and it is all thanks to stepping out of the comfort zone and believing in our own abilities.
From that time, I have made an active choice to believe in myself. Today, I am working with a college professor at Vassar college to determine how essential oils, such as black cumin oil, could be used in the treatment of various skin conditions. Stepping out of my comfort zone has not been easy, but thanks to the strawberry experiment, I know that great things often come from tiny beginnings. And it reminds me that my efforts are never too small to make a difference.
Now, you think that I am a science nerd. Don’t worry: this translates to other aspects of my life too. It doesn’t matter how small the impact is. I believe that this experience has made me a better friend, team player and leader in the UWC community.
Image Courtesy: https://discoverystation.org/dnaextraction/
This spirit is not any different when it comes to how we learn in our science classes, especially in Biology. In the first week of classes, we had already started doing some experiments. Entering the classroom, I was anxious about the new teacher and how I was going to adapt to her teaching style. But I immediately felt at ease when she didn’t go straight to theory but rather decided that we could do something practical. That way we could learn and relax at the same time. I was really surprised to see myself extract DNA from strawberries; something I would have never thought to be possible in my previous school. For me, it was just magical!
I couldn’t believe it. Even the Bio teacher from my former school could not believe it either. The process, on the other hand, was simple and easy to believe. Grinding the strawberries in a plastic bag to break them in small pieces, adding detergent and salt to destroy the plasma membrane. This was enough to expose the inside content of the cells, DNA inclusive. The DNA could then be filtered and alcohol would be added to separate DNA from the remaining solution. Thereafter, DNA is simply extracted using cotton swabs.
As I extracted DNA for the first time, it made me realize how simple Biology is. Do not get me wrong; Bio is hardcore and requires a lot of time investment. But most of the time, ground breaking discoveries are just made from very simple experiments such as this one. Going through this experiment has changed me in a lot of different ways. It has helped me view science from a different perspective. Now I know that science is all about being ambitious and courageous enough to step out of your comfort zone and use your ideas to solve world issues.
It has also helped me regain self-confidence. DNA was not known until Watson and Crick decided to have faith in their skills and come up with DNA’s structure in 1953. Prior to them, so many scientists have contributed to scientific research to salvage the human race and it is all thanks to stepping out of the comfort zone and believing in our own abilities.
From that time, I have made an active choice to believe in myself. Today, I am working with a college professor at Vassar college to determine how essential oils, such as black cumin oil, could be used in the treatment of various skin conditions. Stepping out of my comfort zone has not been easy, but thanks to the strawberry experiment, I know that great things often come from tiny beginnings. And it reminds me that my efforts are never too small to make a difference.
Now, you think that I am a science nerd. Don’t worry: this translates to other aspects of my life too. It doesn’t matter how small the impact is. I believe that this experience has made me a better friend, team player and leader in the UWC community.
Image Courtesy: https://discoverystation.org/dnaextraction/
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