Kids STEM: DNA Spiraling Suncatcher

Supplies:

  • 18 gauge jewelry wire
  • 200 or so beads (pony beads, jewelry beads, or any beads that will fit on your wire)
  • Small wire cutters
  • Small pliers or other tool for bending the wire
  • Piece of string or ribbon for hanging

Directions:

  1. With the wire cutters, cut two lengths of 18 gauge wire about 24 inches long and 6 to 8 more shorter pieces about 3 inches long.
  2. Wrap the two long pieces of wire around a round bottle or jar that has a circumference of about 7 inches, then release the wires. They should fall into a loose spiral.
  3. Using the small pliers, twist one end of each spiral into a small circle. This is so that your beads will not fall off.
  4. You’ll need 65-75 beads to fill the length of each of the two spirals. If you work with a partner, you can each choose beads for one spiral. (These will be sun catchers when you’re finished, so make them pretty!)
  5. When the spirals are full: Using the small pliers, twist the top end of each wire into another small circle to hold the beads on.
  6. Loop the piece of string or ribbon through both spirals at the top so they hang together.
  7. Now, using the small pliers, attach one end of each of the short pieces of wire along the length one of the two spirals and fill each one with beads, leaving enough wire to attach the other end to the second spiral. Space the shorter pieces out evenly. These should make what looks like a spiraling ladder with beaded rungs along the length of the ladder. It helps to have a partner to hold the spirals for you while you work.
  8. You have made a beautiful DNA Sun Catcher! Hang your DNA double helix model in the window to remind you how beautiful and unique you, and each of us, are.

THE SCIENCE: DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid. Long strands are connected by genetic material to form a double helix. Inherited traits from your ancestors are located in your DNA. DNA is found in all living organisms.

Watch this project at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuTVAt31POw&list=PLMEg2Dd0dSFctLfDQxsL5…