On Monday, October 21, the 5th Grade class went on an exciting field trip to the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center (DNALC). The students were eager to explore, and as they arrived, they were ready for a day filled with learning and hands-on activities.
The first stop on their journey was the Ötzi the Iceman exhibit, where the students saw a 3D replica of Ötzi, a 5,300-year-old mummy discovered in the Ötztal Alps. Ötzi’s preserved remains offered a rare window into life during the Copper Age. The students learned about his microbiome, genetic history, and some of the medical conditions he had. They also explored the mystery of his death, which remains unsolved, but scientists believe he was likely murdered.
Next, the students got to see the world’s first reconstruction of a complete Neanderthal skeleton. This exhibit gave them a chance to understand more about Neanderthals and how early humans and their ancestors lived, helping them see the connection between fossil evidence and human history.
After exploring the exhibits, the students participated in a hands-on activity where they extracted DNA from wheat germ. They compared the DNA from the wheat germ to human DNA, learning how scientists use DNA to study the relationships between living organisms.
By the end of the day, the students had explored both the history of our species and the science behind DNA. They returned to GVS with a deeper understanding of how science and history intersect, and a newfound appreciation for the mysteries of the past.