SEP Kit Loan ProgramA typical SEP kit

On completion of the SEP program requirements, participating teachers have access to the Kit Loan Program developed and maintained by SEP.

Last year, over 12,000 students used SEP kits and supplies in their science classes.

These kits offer SEP teachers the opportunity to share hands-on laboratory experiences with students in their classroom, giving students a unique chance to experience an authentic, problem-solving approach to science using techniques and equipment used by research scientists. Kits contain all the equipment necessary for experiments in such areas as DNA gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, fruit fly genetics, column chromatography, and DNA extraction. Unless otherwise noted, the kit loan period is two weeks.

During the school year, SEP staff provide continuing advice and technical support for kit use. In addition, scientists from the Center and the community provide scientific equipment and supply donations to SEP, which are then made available to teachers.

Our most recent SEP Kit List is shown below, but you can also download a pdf version here.

SEP Kit List 2007-08 264K/4 pages

 

Kits With SEP Lesson Plans

 

DNA EXTRACTION (ONION DNA)

4 Kits

The DNA Extraction Kit offers students a chance to see DNA! Students isolate DNA from onions, and then collect the DNA by spooling it onto wooden sticks. The kit also contains procedures for isolating DNA from other tissues as well as activities for teaching students how DNA is packaged in the cell, the concept of the genetic code, and DNA sequencing.

Includes:

NOTE:  Teacher supplies onion, ethanol, and ice. Frozen thymus is available from SEP upon request.

MICROPIPET

2 Kits    M1 contains Ulster micropipets     M2 contains Oxford micropipets (special ranges)

The Micropipet Kit teaches students to become proficient measuring very small metric volumes using micropipets. These techniques are essential for preparing students who will be working with the electrophoresis kit since that requires students to measure very small volumes of DNA samples. Students work with the same micropipets and equipment that are used in research laboratories.

Includes:

 

GEL ELECTROPHORESIS

11 Kits: 5 Ulster (1-3, 6, 7), 3 Oxford (4, 8, 10), 1 Costar (5), 1 Gilson/Rainin (9, 11)

This kit offers a series of activities for learning the principles of electrophoresis. After learning the basic technique, students progress to using agarose gel electrophoresis to separate mixtures of molecules. The Dye/Indicator Lab separates various dyes/pH indicators based on charge and size. The two DNA Labs allow students to separate DNA molecules based on size. DNA Lab 1 uses precut DNA samples. DNA Lab 2 incorporates restriction enzyme digestion of lambda DNA.

Includes:

  • Measure for Measure lab
  • Light box
  • Electrophoresis Exploration lab
  • Rubber gloves
  • Dye/Indicator lab
  • Tips
  • DNA Lab 1: Precut Lambda DNA
  • Microcentrifuge tubes
  • DNA Lab 2: Enzyme Digestion of DNA
  • Mini-Microcentrifuges
  • Micropipets
  • pH paper
  • Gel boxes
  • Acetate sheets and blotting paper
  • Power supplies
  • Practice loading agarose gel materials
  • Waterbath
  • Reagents as specified for requested labs

NOTE:  Teacher supplies distilled water to dilute running buffer and a heat source to melt agarose.


ELEPHANT TRUNK

10 Trunks

The Elephant Trunk contains The Elephant Project curriculum and the supplementary resources to enrich The Elephant Project experience. This problem-based curriculum integrates Internet research, DNA analysis, and bioethical issues as students track down the origins of a piece of confiscated ivory. Students discover how modern biomolecular research tools can help conserve a species, in this case the African elephant.

Includes:

NOTES:

1) Teachers must attend a training workshop to sign up for an Elephant Trunk.

2) The Elephant Trunk does NOT contain the DNA or the gel electrophoresis equipment necessary to teach The Elephant Project. Teachers should sign up for a Gel Electrophoresis kit or supplies in addition to an Elephant Trunk.

 

EQUIPMENT-ONLY GEL ELECTROPHORESIS

2 Kits    South Sound and 509

This kit contains the equipment, but not the supply items, in a regular Gel Electrophoresis Kit. Use is restricted to teachers in specific geographical areas, and eligible teachers will be notified about use. Teachers pick up their supplies on Kit Signup Day and obtain the kit from the previous user or designated Kit Caretaker.

 

BACTERIAL TRANSFORMATION

4 Kits

Students are hired as employees of “Genes-R-Us” to work on a procedure for transforming pBLU© plasmid DNA into E. coli. A great lab for teaching students that DNA codes for instructions that give cells visible characteristics. Teachers have the option to let students work on optimizing the transformation procedure as a second component to the lab.

Includes:

NOTE: Teacher must supply heat source to melt agar, ethanol or bleach, and ice.

 

CHROMATOGRAPHY

3 Kits

An introduction to separating molecules by the techniques of paper chromatography and column chromatography. In the paper chromatography exercise, students separate ink or dye mixtures based on their chemical properties. The column chromatography lab uses a column of beads that separate mixtures of molecules based on their size and shape. These lab exercises illustrate different properties of molecules and commonly used separation techniques. Activities in this kit complement the concepts in the Gel Electrophoresis Kit.

Includes:

NOTE: Teacher supplies ring stands, clamps, and alcohol.


DO IT YOURSELF KITS

We’ve included assorted lessons and protocols, but no explicit SEP lab activities.

THE PRIVATE EYE®

2 full kits plus 2 sets of loupes only

The Private Eye® is about the drama and wonder of looking closely at the world, thinking by analogy, changing scale, and theorizing. Designed to develop higher order thinking skills, creativity, and scientific literacy, it is an excellent way to introduce the power of learning by asking questions. Using magnifying loupes, students look closely at familiar objects and use analogies to connect form and function. A great activity for all age groups! Learn more at http://www.the-private-eye.com

Includes:

 

FLY GENETICS

4 Kits   Loan period is 6 weeks

Students work with the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, one of the best model organisms for studying genetics, development, and behavior. In addition to basic information on handling the flies, the kit notebook has a number of interesting investigations that can be adapted for use with your students.  Some recommended activities are genetic crosses, polytene chromosome squashes, fly sperm observation, sexing flies, and testing fly behavior.

Includes:

NOTE: NO Flies in Kit!!!  To arrange for flies, contact:

Dr. Celeste Berg, University of Washington

or order flies on-line:

berg@gs.washington.edu

http://berglab.gs.washington.edu/hs.html

(206) 543-1622

FlyBase

http://flybase.bio.indiana.edu/stocks

Allow at least 4 weeks for the order; 2 weeks to receive the flies and 2 weeks to propagate them for class use.

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IMMUPOP IS RETIRED

The Immupop Kit has been retired from SEP. It found a retirement home with teacher Peggy Plattner. Peggy is willing to loan the kit to others.

Peggy Plattner
Kamiak High School
10801 Harbour Pointe Blvd
Mukilteo WA 98275
Plattnerpb@mukilteo.wednet.edu
work (425) 356-6620

 

LOANER EQUIPMENT

Major support for the 2007-2008 program is provided by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

 


Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
1100 Fairview Ave. N. PO Box 19024 Seattle, WA 98109
©2008 Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, a nonprofit organization.
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