Hussman Institute Brings DNA to Life for Kids at DNA Day Celebration
Hands-on activities and interactive lessons by John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics faculty introduced children to genetics and genomic science at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale.
Curiosity met science as children explored the wonders of genomics at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale. Researchers from the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine turned DNA into something they could see, touch and understand.
For the fourth consecutive year, the team brought the science of genetics to life through hands-on lessons designed to spark interest in the code that shapes who we are.
Laughter and excitement filled the space as youngsters from various age ranges rotated through six interactive DNA-focused stations, building models, solving puzzles and uncovering the basics of genetics in ways that felt more like play than science. Each station visit guaranteed a stamp on the “passport” to get a certificate and prizes at the end of the adventure.
“DNA Day lets children see and touch many things that are typically invisible to the naked eye,” said Holly Cukier, Ph.D., research assistant professor of human genetics at the Miller School, one of the event’s lead organizers. “These hands-on activities turn higher-level concepts into tangible, fun games.”
From DNA Day
Interactive Stations Introduce DNA
A stop at “The Double Helix” had children create their own strand of DNA from candy. They also decoded the science behind CRISPR genome editing in the “Codebreaker.” At the “Strawberry Patch,” participants followed a step-by-step process, using dish soap, salt, a coffee filter and rubbing alcohol to extract DNA from strawberries, then sealed their findings into a small vial necklace to take home.
Along the way, complex ideas like how traits are inherited or how DNA carries information became tangible.
“The earlier children get introduced to science and genetics, the more the underlying concepts become integrated into their language and imagination,” Dr. Cukier added.
At the “Tree of Traits” station, children created a personalized “leaf” highlighting their inherited characteristics. The children then tested their taste buds with PTC to discover whether they’re among the majority who experience its bitter flavor.
“It tastes like paper,” said one.
The goal was simple. Make science approachable early.
Why Teaching Genetics Early Matters
Farid Rajabli, Ph.D., assistant professor of human genetics at the Miller School, explained that understanding DNA is essential to understanding many aspects of life, including complex diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
“Kids try to understand. We give them an idea that’s interesting, not just knowledge,” he said, noting that new tools are helping make these concepts easier to grasp while also supporting the development of preventive approaches.
“I have an old person in my family, and I’m interested in research on how DNA in the brain deteriorates,” said Taia Mack, a sixth grader at Wellington Elementary School in Palm Beach County.
One of the most popular stations of the day was “Double Helix.” Gummy candies in hand, participants matched green and orange drops and attached them with toothpicks to two red Twizzlers ladders. As volunteer Aaron Ehrlich helped each one twist the ladder, he explained what the double helix is and how it works.
Mariam Aromashodu, who took her three girls to the event, celebrated the researchers for “bringing science to the kids.”
One of her daughters, Asiyah Ojoola, described Double Helix as the most interesting.
“I really like it because, before doing it, I got to eat the candy,” she said.
Connecting Community, Curiosity and Genomic Research
The annual celebration marked National DNA Day, established by Congress in 2003 to honor the 1953 discovery of DNA’s double-helix structure and the completion of the Human Genome Project 50 years later.
Each year, the Hussman Institute’s event doubles as an educational bridge, connecting students, educators and the broader community to the fast-moving world of genomic research. Activities are designed to show how DNA influences everyday life, from eye color and taste preferences to health and disease.
By turning abstract concepts into interactive experiences, the program helps young learners see themselves in science while highlighting how advances in genetics continue to shape the future of medicine.
More from the Hussman Institute
Miller School researchers at AD/PD 2026 highlighted why APOE is now a leading genetic target for Alzheimer’s treatment.
A University of Miami study shows how an ancestry‑specific ABCA7 gene deletion disrupts lipid metabolism, increasing Alzheimer’s disease risk.
Miller School of Medicine researchers are examining the genetic roots of inflammatory bowel disease in Hispanic populations.
A new Miller School study explores how two genes influence the age at onset of Alzheimer’s disease in individuals of African ancestry.
Tags: CRISPR gene editing, Dr. Holly Cukier, Dr. Jeffery Vance, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, genetics, genomics, John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics