Machines are used all over the world. Almost everything we touch in a day was made in some way with the help of machines. We have made machines big and small but making machines that are so small they can not be seen by the human eye is a much harder challenge. To make machines this small, it has been found we can use DNA. This process is called DNA origami. Because DNA is so small, it can not be folded with human hands. A method of using things called staples and polymerizing strands has been created to make these machines. We have tried to polymerize the hinge structure — one of the DNA origami machines. together to create larger functioning structures. Many problems can arise when trying to connect the hinges.
The student handout will be given to all students working on the design challenge. It gives a brief recap of the story, it helps the students identify what they are attempting to achieve, and it recaps the design process.
DNA Origami Polymerization TEK8 Facilitator’s Guide
This Instructor’s Guide provides the instructor additional information on how to run the design challenge with alternatives for materials and test setups as well as information to help make the design challenge a good educational experience.
The Telling the Story Video conveys the societal impact of the student’s research that is the basis for the design challenge and will set the problem-solving context for students.
The Design Challenge Video leads students through the design process. It indicates materials available, states what the criteria are for success and any constraints. It also gives a second ‘level’ of the design challenge that allows ‘early completers’ to move on to a slightly more difficult challenge.