Citizen DNA Barcode Network (CDBN)
Events Calendar

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 BArcoding Workshop, February 8, 2024

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.

Past events:

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.

Illustration of twisted DNA molecule in blue tint.

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

South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center logo including a turtle and SOFO over image of a gel electrophoresis aparatus: a clear plastic box with blue sides, blue dashes of color and the tip of a red pipette.

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.

Citizen DNA Barcode Network logo and sketch of a DNA molecule over a hexagon pattern. Graphic overlay includes blue background with text Jones Beach Energy & Nature CEnter DNA BArcoding Wet Lab with Citizen DNA Barcode Network Thursday August 24th 10:00 - 4:00 pm

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.

Child with blond hair in pigtails holds a colorful butterfly net with a backdrop of meadow grass. Graphic overlay includes yellow background with text
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.

Summer Barcode Camp 2023 at Shelter Island
Logo with Long Island Aquarium in blue and shark graphic superimposed over outline of Long Island

LEGO® Sequencer Activity

with CSHL DNA Learning Center’s Citizen DNA Barcode Network

Model made of gray, red, green, blue, and yellow Lego building blocks on a gray counter.

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

Text repeated with CDBN logo of the US with colored bars

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
You must bring:
  • Lunch

Free Science Summer Camp!

Summer Field Science & DNA Camp

Shelter Island, New York

Summer Barcode Camp 2022 at Shelter Island

DNA Learning Center Collection Event Event Link

Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center, New York

Graphic with illustrations of mosquito, ant, and beetle on background with blue to orange horizontal color gradient with text about DNA collection event.

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

graphic with Bug Barcoding event information and institution logos

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
Register on eventbrite

or call (256) 898-6312

Cook Museum of natural science institution logo

Bug Barcoding: a citizen science project Event Link

Cook Museum of Natural Science, Decatur, Alabama

graphic with Bug Barcoding event information and institution logos

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
Register on eventbrite

or call (256) 898-6312

Cook museum of natural science institution logo