Not even the snow could stop them from coming to enjoy the science.
As part of the International Science Festival, the University of Otago puts on a giant Science Expo, introducing science from departments and research groups across campus to the public in the grand atrium space in the Business School.
This year's Expo found itself competing against snow, but the enthusiastic public still fought their way through the cold to come.
Otago Biochemistry again joined forces with Genetics Otago to put together activities to introduce passers-by to the science of molecules that make up our cells and some of the tools used in our labs.
Both kids and adults alike enjoyed the activities on offer, and our staff and student volunteers equally enjoyed sharing the excitement of science with them.
Our activities included:
Extracting DNA from bananas (yes, bananas have DNA!) was massively popular, and very mucky.
How to use an adjustable micropipette and have a go at pipetting into an agarose gel.
Vortexing coloured liquid with glitter (always a favourite).
Playing with plastic models of proteins and DNA.
Holding real moa bones – these were ones that had DNA extracted from them in order to learn more about the extinct species.
Learning about different ways that we look at chromosomes – through microscopes and computers.