Using DNA Barcoding to Identify Sweetbriar’s Bugs!
Sweetbriar Nature Center - ECSS
62 Eckernkamp Drive, SMITHTOWN NY 11787
Monday, December 30, 2024 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
For ages 13 and older | $10 donation
Jeffry Petracca, Entomologist and Manager of Student & Public Research, CSHL DNA Learning Center
Insects can often be small and seemingly insignificant, but despite their size, they are incredibly important to living ecosystems. Because of their size and the sheer number of different species out there (even here on Long Island!), they can often be tough to identify. However, we can use an insect’s DNA to identify its species through a process called DNA barcoding.
Join us for this fun, hands-on workshop where we will learn how an insect’s DNA barcode can make identification easier and quicker, especially for citizen scientists! We will examine insects collected from Sweetbriar Nature Center, extract their DNA, and perform the steps necessary to examine their DNA barcode as part of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Citizen DNA Barcode Network program. All DNA barcodes generated from this workshop will be published to a professional scientific database with participating citizen scientists as authors! This workshop is great for high school students interested in molecular biology and life sciences, as well as lifelong naturalists who just want to learn a new approach for studying and understanding organisms and ecosystems!
Pack a lunch and something to drink.
Past events:
DNA Barcoding Workshop
Thursday, February 8, 2024 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (EST)
Twin Creeks Science Center
1316 Cherokee Orchard Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, 37738
Join us for this informative (and fun!) workshop, where we will be preparing specimens to be sent to be sequenced for DNA barcoding. This is a training opportunity for anyone who is interested in volunteering with DLiA ‘s DNA barcoding project, but is open to anyone wanting to learn about the process.
Spaces are limited so please send a request for a spot to Jaimie Matzko, DLiA Biodiversity Program Specialist: jaimie@dlia.org .
DNA Extraction Workshop: Mosquitoes of Utah
Natural History Museum of Utah
Saturday, January 27, 2024 10:00 am – 3:30 pm (EST)
Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District Facility
2215 N 2200 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Join NHMU and the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District for a unique and engaging workshop to extract mosquito DNA! During this interactive workshop we'll learn more about local mosquito species, tour the SLC Mosquito Abatement District facility, explore how DNA barcoding is used to identify and catalogue insect species in Utah, and get hands-on experience with:
- extracting and isolating insect DNA
- using lab equipment like: micropipettes, centrifuge, thermal cycler, and BlueGels
- exploring DNA barcodes as a method of insect ID and mapping
Space in this workshop is limited to 20 individuals.
Insect DNA Barcoding Workshop at the Natural History Museum of Utah
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 10:30 AM–4:00 PM
Natural History Museum of Utah
301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Join us for an in-depth workshop to extract insect DNA and learn about how DNA barcoding is used to identify and catalogue insect species in Utah. During this interactive workshop, you will get hands-on experience with:
- Extracting and isolating insect DNA
- Using lab equipment like: micropipettes, centrifuge, thermal cycler, and BlueGels
- Exploring DNA barcodes
Space in this workshop is limited to 20 individuals ages 11–17 with accompanying adult.
Visit the Natural History Museum of Utah CDBN webpage.
Citizen Science DNA Barcoding at SOFO
Saturday, September 23, 2023, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO)
377 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, NY 11932
Identifying insects can be difficult, and scientists need your help! Join Entomologist Jeffry Petracca from the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center (DNALC) for a day-long workshop where you will become Citizen Scientists as part of the DNALC's Citizen DNA Barcode Network, and learn how to identify insects using their DNA! During this workshop, you will collect insects from the grounds of the SOFO Natural History Museum, extract their DNA, and use hands-on laboratory techniques to develop a DNA barcode for identification. Your DNA barcodes will even be published to a national database that will be used by scientists worldwide!
Ages: Teens (13+) to adults
DNA Barcoding Wet Lab Event
Thursday August 24, 2023, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center
West End 2 150 Bay Parkway, Wantagh, NY 11793
Join other citizen scientists to process Long Island insects for DNA sequencing!
In this all-day event, participants will familiarize themselves with the biodiversity of Jones Beach, with a focus on local ant, beetle, and mosquito groups.
This event is a follow up event to the collection event that occurred earlier in August. During this wet lab workshop, DNALC staff will introduce participants to the hands-on DNA isolation of the collected specimens, amplification of the DNA barcode region, and gel electrophoresis.
The following will be provided:
- Lab equipment
- Computers
- DNA specimens
Participants must bring:
- Lunch
Ages 12 and up.
DNA Barcoding Collection Event
Monday August 14, 2023, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center
West End 2 150 Bay Parkway, Wantagh, NY 11793
Join other citizen scientists to collect Long Island insects for DNA sequencing!
In this three hour event, participants will familiarize themselves with the biodiversity of Jones Beach, with a focus on local ant, beetle, and mosquito groups.
Attendees will be introduced to how DNA barcoding can be used to identify species, and will obtain, document, and preserve specimens for DNA isolation at future events. Collection and identification of these insects helps improve their range maps and can show how species are responding to environmental pressures such as global climate change.
Ages 8 and up.
Free Science Summer Camp!
Summer Ecology & DNA Lab Camp
Shelter Island–Mashomack Preserve and SI High School, New York
July 24–August 4, Mon-Fri, 9 AM- 2 PM (2 weeks)
Contact Cindy Belt or Dan Williams for more info.
LEGO® Sequencer Activity
with CSHL DNA Learning Center’s Citizen DNA Barcode Network
Tuesday, December 27, 2022 and Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Stop by our booth between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM
Planning a visit the Long Island Aquarium over the holiday break? Stop by the DNA Learning Center’s booth on Tuesday, December 27th or Wednesday, December 28th between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to learn how DNA sequence can be used to identify a species! During this short activity, visitors will model a DNA barcode "sequence" using colored LEGO® blocks and identify that species with LEGO® sequencer technology.
This activity is open to visitors of all ages, but recommended for ages 8 and above.
Visit the Long Island Aquarium website for aquarium admission information.
DNA Barcoding Wetlab Workshop [Postponed]
Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center, New York
Saturday, October 15, 2022
9:30 AM 3:30 PM (Adults and Teens Ages 12+)
Join other citizen scientists to process Long Island insects for DNA sequencing!
In this all-day event, participants will familiarize themselves with the biodiversity of Jones Beach, with a focus on local ant, beetle, and mosquito groups.
This event is a follow up event to the collection event that occurred in June. During this wet lab workshop, our partners at Cold Spring Harbor Labs will introduce participants to the hands-on DNA isolation of the collected specimens, amplification of the DNA barcode region, and gel electrophoresis.
We will provide:
- Lab equipment
- Computers
- DNA Specimens
- Lunch
Free Science Summer Camp!
Summer Field Science & DNA Camp
Shelter Island, New York
DNA Learning Center Collection Event Event Link
Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center, New York
Saturday, June 18, 2022
9:00 AM 12:00 PM
with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Citizen Science DNA Barcode Network
Join other citizen scientists to collect Long Island insects for DNA sequencing!
In this three hour event, participants will familiarize themselves with the biodiversity of Jones Beach, with a focus on local ant, beetle, and mosquito groups.
Attendees will be introduced to how DNA barcoding can be used to identify species, and will obtain, document, and preserve specimens for DNA isolation at future events. Collection and identification of these insects helps improve their range maps and can show how species are responding to environmental pressures such as global climate change.
Bug Barcoding: a citizen science project Event Link
Cook Museum of Natural Science, Decatur, Alabama
Saturday, March 6, 2021
9:15 am – 2 pm
FREE with registration
For ages 19 and older
Collect an ant, mosquito, or beetle and join us for a half-day, hands-on experience.
You will extract your bug’s DNA and, through a laboratory technique called DNA barcoding, take a look into the insect’s genetic recipe to determine its specific identity. Your data will contribute to maps that inform scientists where species live as a part of a national citizen science project, “Citizen DNA Barcode Network.” Lunch and Admissions to the Exhibits is not included
Details
Each participant will have their own socially distanced table at which to work. The Cook Museum of Natural Science, as an entertainment venue, is following the state mandate requiring face coverings to be worn in public places. Please have all visitors age 7 and above wear a mask while in the Museum.
This project was developed by the DNA Learning Center of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and funded through an NIH SEPA grant. In coordination with the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and the Citizen DNA Barcode Network.
- At Cook Museum of Natural Science
- Open to adults age 19 and older
- Saturday, February 20, 2021
- 9:15 am – 2 pm, with a 45-minute break to enjoy lunch (not included)
- Admissions to the Exhibits is not included
Bug Barcoding: a citizen science project Event Link
Cook Museum of Natural Science, Decatur, Alabama
Saturday, February 20, 2021
9:15 am – 2 pm
FREE with registration
For ages 19 and older
Collect an ant, mosquito, or beetle and join us for a half-day, hands-on experience.
You will extract your bug’s DNA and, through a laboratory technique called DNA barcoding, take a look into the insect’s genetic recipe to determine its specific identity. Your data will contribute to maps that inform scientists where species live as a part of a national citizen science project, “Citizen DNA Barcode Network.” Lunch and Admissions to the Exhibits is not included
Details
Each participant will have their own socially distanced table at which to work. The Cook Museum of Natural Science, as an entertainment venue, is following the state mandate requiring face coverings to be worn in public places. Please have all visitors age 7 and above wear a mask while in the Museum.
This project was developed by the DNA Learning Center of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and funded through an NIH SEPA grant. In coordination with the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and the Citizen DNA Barcode Network.
- At Cook Museum of Natural Science
- Open to adults age 19 and older
- Saturday, February 20, 2021
- 9:15 am – 2 pm, with a 45-minute break to enjoy lunch (not included)
- Admissions to the Exhibits is not included
