DNAiTECH WORKSHOP AUCKLAND - 30th March 2021 Reflection

 

The cool thing about DNAiTECH is that you do not need a specialized laboratory environment to operate this technology. Last week, DNAiTECH ran a training workshop for teachers in a community hall in Kohimarama, Auckland. 

These were one-day workshops for teachers around the country, and each workshop consists of an introduction to the theory of isothermal DNA amplification, hands-on use of the DNAiTECH instrument, analysis of an unknown E.coli DNA sample and extraction and analysis of E. coli microorganisms from a local stream, river, or beach. 

As councils grapple with implementing the Governments new freshwater policy and targets for swim ability, we as a nation must face the reality that our waterways in Aotearoa are not as clean as we would like to think they are, and the clean green mantra is often a fantasy. This map of the country’s waterways from the Ministry for the Environment shows vividly that in the areas of most intense population and intensive farming, our waterway quality is often in the zone of fair to poor.

DNAiTECH empowers students to determine the levels of E. coli and toxic cyanobacteria in their community waterways. There is no better way to engage students with science and technology than to give them the tools to test real-world samples. Let them be part of the collective social conscience, reminding us when we care for the land, we care for its people. 

DNAiTECH combines android smartphone technology with a simple Bluetooth connected handheld instrument that uses isothermal DNA amplification chemistry. Popular isothermal methods include loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), rolling circle amplification (RPA), recombinase polymerase amplification (RCA), helicase dependent amplification (HDA). Avoiding expensive on-board optical systems and thermocycling DNA amplification, DNAiTECH makes DNA technologies affordable for secondary education so that cool experiments can be done to complement the teaching of NCEA 2/3 science, molecular biology, environmental studies, and technology. The instrument is robust and lightweight. The smartphone captures many images during the DNA amplification process and the App processes the Evergreen dye incorporation into DNA product in real-time. For more technical information on how the DNAiTECH works to measure DNA concentration go to our in-field testing page. DNAiTECH is a versatile in-field instrument for education and the science community. It is lightweight, portable, and can be battery-powered, making it perfect for that immediate rapid result in the field.  Real-time quantitative DNA amplification is yours for a fraction of the cost of current DNA reading technologies. We support teachers by running regional workshops as well as selling instrumentation and classroom science kits and easy to use tests for specific environmental assays.

Athletic day in School

 15 march 2021

Athletics Day is always a great time of competitive performances, and friendly rivalry, with our four Houses pitching themselves against each other to be the dominant House in the annual event.

Senior students go early to assist in setting up for the event, and student House Leaders do an excellent job of motivating, encouraging and organising the students in their Houses. The athletic day starts with the houses chant. Every house March and came in a group and sit in the allocated area. Every house has a theme for sports day so they were marching on the ground while representing their theme. After that, the chant starts, First turn was kowhai, then Totata, Rata and in the last Puriri came for the chant. Students were very enthusiastic and their house leaders and mentors were encouraging them all the time.

After that, sports and games started. Different house students participated in the Discus throw, shotput, Hight jump, 100-meter race boys, 100-meter race girls, 200-meter race boys. And in the last, it was a 100-meter teachers race. 

The day ends with the winner of the day. Rata was in the first position, on the second Kowhai, On the third Puriri and fourth was Totara. Students participated very well and represent their houses very enthusiastically.

Students have to participate in school sports to increase confidence, mental alertness, and self-esteem. Sports are important in schools because it helps to teach various skills to students like leadership, patience, patience, team efforts, and social skills.