During their studio residency at PICA, Astro Morphs developed a series of online art-making activities where art and science converge.
Share your creations on social media with the hashtag #picaathome, and you could be featured on our socials!
Overview
Astro Morphs’ productions and art works are inspired by biology. Have fun creating colourful fridge magnets, while learning the complementary bases that make up DNA.
You will need
- coloured card
- a ruler
- a pencil
- scissors
- textas, posca paint pens, pencils (to decorate)
- self-adhesive magnets from the craft shop or recycled magnets from the fridge (We used self-adhesive. If you use recycled magnets, you will need a glue gun, craft glue or blue tack.)
Steps
- Choose four different coloured pieces of card and rule the card into squares, 5cm by 5cm.
- Cut the card into the squares you ruled.
- Choose a different coloured card to mark for each letter: A, T, C, and G.
- Stick or glue a magnet to the back of each letter.
- Put all the letter magnets into a container and make DNA sequences on a magnetic surface with your friends. Just remember the rule: ‘A’ goes with ‘T’, and ‘C’ goes with ‘G’.
Reflection
Consider the magnets you just made:
- Why do you think DNA is important?
- Who discovered the shape of the DNA helix?
- Can you think of a TV show or movie you’ve watched that talks about DNA?
- Can you draw the DNA helix? Have a go!
- What does DNA stand for and the letters ‘A’, ‘T’, ‘C’ and ‘G’? Do a search if you’re interested!
Fun Fact: Our DNA is in the shape of the helix; a bacterium has circular DNA.
Play DNA on your fridge!
