Club STEAM Powered students study bacteria, genetics

Club STEAM Powered, a program that introduces students to various subjects in science, technology, engineering, art and math, used art and games to learn about bacteria and genetics during its last two meetings.

During its meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 17, students studied the smallest of creatures: single-cell organisms. They also learned about bacteria and how bacteria can cause the spread of infectious diseases.

Students first created a sample of bacteria from a variety of surfaces. The bacteria grew for a week for the students to see what kinds of bacteria live on different surfaces.

These students also took part in an experiment where pieces of paper, one of which was "infected" by being soaked in baking soda, to show how diseases can spread. Out of the 11 participants in the experiment, five were infected.

The students also witnessed how a single-cell organism, yeast, interacts with other substances. The students mixed yeast with warm water and sugar to create carbon dioxide, which was used to fill a balloon.

Finally, the students used their art skills to show what a single-cell organism looked like.

During its Oct. 24 meeting, students learned about genetics and DNA and how different genetic traits can be seen in everyone, such as having a widow's peak or a hitchhiker’s thumb.

Genetics is the study of heredity or the variation of inherited characteristics.

Students played a card game between recessive and dominant genes, and they played BINGO with genetic traits.

Club STEAM Powered was created by the DPL to further expose students to STEM and art.

According to a release from the DPL, the program, which is fully funded by the Wiregrass Foundation, is designed to "spur participants to use constructive investigative techniques and scientific reasoning that can be applied to everyday life. Participants will also be encouraged to use the common sense approaches necessary for navigating an increasingly complex world."

The program will place "an emphasis on group discussion, team building and individual concept exploration," the release said.

The library also purchased circuit kits, chain reaction kits, architectural kits and other necessary supplies to provide students with the tools needed for science experiments and art projects.

For more information about Club STEAM Powered, visit the library, located behind Daleville High School, at 308 Donnell Blvd.