In honour of National DNA day and the 70th anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA, biology teachers and students at Pennsbury High School in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, USA, wanted to celebrate with something fun and significant.
So, biology teacher Amanda Pettit and her students got to work to create the longest double helix structure, measuring 190.35 m (624 ft 6 in).
“The idea we came up with was to have all currently enrolled biology students create a small segment of DNA that could eventually be linked together to make one gigantic, unique DNA strand,” said Amanda.
After researching, we realized that we could easily beat the record if we had all students participate.
Biology teachers put their minds together to come up with a template and prototype of what the structure could look like.
Individual pieces needed to be made in order for each student to be able to make their own small piece that would eventually make up the large piece of DNA.
The structure template had to be edited several times, so teachers and students diligently problem-solved and came up with the unique, pre-approved structure.
Students used the paper templates made by the teachers, paint, popsicle sticks, and tape to construct the segments.
“We needed something to make the rungs of the ladder that would be sturdy to withstand the helixing,” said Amanda.
“Then one teacher came up with the idea for jumbo popsicle sticks.”
Science teachers then checked each of the segments for use.
Each segment needed to have the right distance of popsicle sticks, correct painting, and labeling of nitrogenous bases.
Amanda and her students did run into some setbacks such as the paper being flimsy and bending upon helixing.
The prototype also had to be edited when they realized the structure needed to have bases.
“We went into editing mode and fixed the problem,” said Amanda.
We cut out the part causing the break and added more popsicle sticks to that area so that all sticks were equal distances apart along the entire structure.
However, Amanda says working with her colleagues and collaborating on this project was enjoyable.
“We worked hard, problem-solved throughout the process, and celebrated together,” she said.
“I also enjoyed seeing the vision come together as we were creating the segments of the helix.”
On 25 May, the DNA segments were connected and helixed to make the full model.
“About 300 science students ventured outside with pieces of the structure and helped with and witnessed the overall construction,” said Amanda.
“The model was connected with tape between each segment, helixed, and then taped again to the next segment. The structure was also staked into the ground to hold the structure in place due to wind.”
Students who made pieces of DNA were able to see how they were put together to make the full double helix.
They got to see their hard work finalized and witness the official measurement, and there was a huge sense of pride in their work as they saw it coming together.
The official measurement of the double helix surpassed the previous record by 115 m (377.2 ft).
Amanda says creating the double helix took several weeks because they had to create as well as order and distribute materials.
However, once all of the pieces were made and checked over, the actual assembly of the full double helix took about an hour, with the help of many teachers and students.
“Our ultimate inspiration for breaking this record was our students,” said Amanda.
Our goal as teachers is to spark interest in learning within our students, a passion for science, a sense of belonging and community in their school.
Pennsbury High School also holds an additional record title for the largest kiss image/logo.
“Our high school, Pennsbury High School, now holds two Guinness World Records titles,” said Amanda.
“We are very proud of that!”
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