Life Science - COVID-19: How to test for a virus

In this MEL Academy lesson your children will:

  • learn about cells and viruses
  • understand the COVID-19 testing
  • extract DNA from fruit

Lesson time

5:00am   PST (San Francisco, Seattle, ...)
6:00am   MST (Phoenix, Denver, ...)
7:00am   CST (Chicago, Houston, ...)
8:00am   EST (New York, Toronto, ...)
1:00pm   GMT (London, ...)

Lesson duration: 45-55 minutes.

Prepare in advance

In this lesson, we will conduct several DIY experiments. Prepare in advance household materials shown below.

DIY Materials

  2 х Spoons
  Access to hot and cold tap water
  gelatine (agar-agar) or any clear paste
  Kinder-surprise or an equivalent
  5 X Pipe Cleaners
  6 x different colour beads
  Dried beans (e.g lima beans)
  5 or more different shape liquorice sweets
  banana or strawberry or kiwi fruit
  Dish soap
  strong alcohol (40% or more) or surgical spirit
  Salt
  3 x tall glasses
  Ice (from a fridge)
  Tweezers or skewer
  Access to a blender (optional)


Tutor

This lesson is presented by Daniel Sullivan:

Daniel Sullivan

Daniel Sullivan is a hugely enthusiastic and experienced ex-head of science with over 20 years of teaching experience. He is now running a science teacher training company and is looking forward to engaging with students once again.