GENE-ius Day Field Trip Information
Pre Visit
To ensure students get most of their visit to University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa, we strongly recommend an introduction to the basics of DNA prior to the GENE-ius Day event.
Schedule of GENE-ius Day Field Trip
FIELD TRIP ACTIVITY
DESCRIPTION
SCIENCE STANDARDS
Plant Cell Lab 
6th - 8th GradeStudents prepare plant cell slides and observe them under the microscope in order to identify differences between plant and animal cells. Students then get to observe DNA and chromosomes inside the nuclei of cells from onion root-tips, giving them a chance to see DNA at various stages of cell division.
MS DOE Standard
MS-LS1-1 – Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells. MS-LS1-2 – Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function.
DNA Extraction 
6th - 8th GradeStudents extract DNA from banana during an large DNA extraction experiment! Seeing the DNA in a large beaker provides the students with a visual experience of DNA.
MS DOE Standard
MS-LS1-1 – Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells. MS-LS1-2 – Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function.
Human & Plant Genetic Trait Lecture 
6th - 8th GradeThe main concepts that are covered during this lecture include 1) we inherit genetic traits from our parents, and 2) the manifestation of our genetic traits are due to our DNA. Students also compare a selection of fun traits with their classmates, and make the connection that plant traits are manifestations of plant DNA.
MS DOE Standard
MS-LS1-5 – Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
Agricultural Talk 
6th - 8th GradeStudents build and use paper DNA models to learn the process of genetic engineering (GE) and how it is used to solve agricultural challenges faced by farmers.
MS DOE Standard
MS-LS4-5 – Gather and synthesize information about the technologies that have changed the way humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms.
Cost
The cost is $400 per day for up to 40 students. Additional students are $10 each up to a maximum of 100 students per day. The payment for GENE-ius Day field trips should be made payable to "RCUH" and due on the day of each field trip. Checks may also be mailed to us in advance.
Post Visit (optional)
Students will remember more if they have an opportunity to talk about and assimilate what they have learned on the field trip. Suggested activities include making traits graphs for math class or creating a poster on family or pet traits.
