Ten in-person community workshops at Deep Run Recreation Center, every other Wednesday, bringing DNA, circulation and chemistry to life through experiments students run themselves.
Every workshop combines engaging instruction with interactive experiments that encourage students to explore scientific concepts through discovery. Throughout the series, participants investigate biology, chemistry, anatomy, genetics, engineering, and biomedical science while developing critical thinking, observation, and problem-solving skills.
Whether extracting DNA from strawberries or exploring how blood moves through the body, every session is designed to make science exciting, memorable, and accessible for young learners.
Each workshop introduces students to a new scientific concept through interactive demonstrations, experiments, and hands-on activities.
Students were introduced to one of the most widely used techniques in modern biology. Through hands-on activities, participants learned how scientists separate and analyze DNA, and how the technique is used in genetics, medicine, and forensic science.
Blood flow and electrical conduction. Students explored how the heart pumps blood throughout the body, with interactive demonstrations showing how the cardiovascular system keeps every organ functioning.
Acids, bases, and chemical reactions. Through colorful experiments, students investigated how pH influences everyday life, biology, medicine, and chemistry.
Students discovered how biology and computer science work together to solve modern healthcare challenges, exploring computational biology, biological data, and DNA sequencing.
Students became geneticists for the day, extracting DNA from strawberries through a hands-on laboratory activity and learning about DNA structure and why every living organism carries genetic information.
The second half of the series is still to come. Upcoming sessions will continue introducing students to exciting topics across biology, medicine, chemistry, and biomedical science through engaging experiments and collaborative activities.
I loved getting to extract DNA from a strawberry because I'd never done a real science experiment like that before. Every workshop has something different, and it's made science one of my favorite subjects.
Workshop ParticipantThe workshops have been incredibly engaging and well organized. My child comes home excited to explain what they learned after every session, and it's been wonderful watching their interest in STEM continue to grow.
ParentWe are halfway through the ten workshop series. Five sessions are complete, covering genetics, anatomy, chemistry and computational biology, and the remaining five run over the coming weeks. This page will keep growing with photos and highlights from each session.
This series is proudly presented in partnership with 4-H Henrico, whose commitment to experiential learning and youth development helps make these hands-on science experiences possible.
