Past Events: DNA Day 2009
April 25 was National DNA Day!
April 25 became a national holiday in 2003 to celebrate the completion of the human genome project, the discovery of DNA in 1953 and the promising future of genomic research.
This year, the Darwin 2009 celebration created a series of activities to show how the discovery of DNA has transformed our understanding of evolution – what Darwin never knew! Both kids and parents visited the Darwin 2009 institutions to participate in the hands-on, interactive DNA activities.
At the Carnegie Science Center, the Pittsburgh Zoo and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, DNA Day-goers saw that we can determine how closely related one species is to another by examining DNA sequencing, discovering where each animal fits on the phylogenetic tree of life. At the National Aviary, visitors learned how these sequences can be mutated by disruptive agents like sunlight – so don’t forget your sunscreen!
An experiment at Phipps Conservatory showed how plants pass on traits to their offspring, the same way Gregor Mendel discovered the laws of inheritance. And at the Children’s Museum, kids got the chance to make their very own personalized “DNA bracelet” made up of their own unique traits.
If you missed DNA Day this year, you can look forward to more opportunities April 25, 2010!
