Have you ever imagined a world where a mere sneeze could become a showdown? Where common infections gear up like superheroes? Welcome to the Antibiotic Apocalypse – a world in which antibiotics can no longer defeat common infections. A world where strep throat could again be fatal.

Students will break down this doomsday scenario with a little game of chance. They will explore how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and illustrate how misuse can generate selection pressures for some bacteria to flourish. Trust us, it’s not just a phage! *Full experience is 45 minutes.

Students will be introduced to a family interested in finding out whether their child has the disease, Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Students will use gel electrophoresis to detect a mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene and determine if the individuals do or do not have the disease or if they are a carrier for CF. Following the diagnosis, students will learn about the Central Dogma of biology and its role in individuals who have Cystic Fibrosis. Through a hands-on activity, students will transcribe, translate, and synthesize the CFTR protein – a critical chloride protein channel. They will then use the 3D protein models to discuss how a mutation in the CFTR gene can result in improper protein function, which results in the key symptoms seen in those with CF.

*Full experience is 90 minutes but can be split into two 45-minute sessions across two days for those on 50-minute period schedules.

Students will be introduced to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and how it can be used to diagnose disease. Students will participate in a hands-on activity to model the steps of PCR and how it can be used to detect and amplify specific genetic sequences, including genetic mutations. Students will be given ready-to-load DNA samples from patients interested in finding out their disease status for Cystic Fibrosis. After analyzing the gel, students will be tasked with building a family pedigree to illustrate their findings and to also predict the disease state of other family members.

*Full experience is 90 minutes but can be split into two 45-minute sessions across two days for those on 50-minute period schedules.