DNA Goal Chart
Supplies*:
• Spool of galvanized
18-gauge wire
• Wire cutter
• Ruler
• Black marker
• (6) green pool noodles
• Utility knife
• Black duct tape
• Spool of thin aluminum wire
• (4) red pool noodles
Directions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Saw
(4) 1/2” diameter, 5’ long PVC pipes
Green duct tape
Drill
12”x 12” piece of 3/4” plywood
Stepladder
Computer and printer
Bright paper
Goal chart sign, labels, and arrow
printed from pages 3-6 of these
instructions
1. Unspool the galvanized wire to the length of about three and a half pool
noodles. Cut out eight pieces that same length. (For safety and comfort
purposes, we recommend wearing leather gloves when working with wire.)
2. Tie off one end of each of four wires to some kind of support (i.e., a
doorknob or cabinet handle) and braid/twist the four pieces into one thick
length of wire “rope.” Repeat with the other four pieces. This will make
the wire sturdier and easier to shape and form the two sides of the DNA
strand.
4. Mirror those markings on the two lengths of wire using tape. Ma
3. Using a ruler and marker, indicate on each green pool noodle where the
rungs will be attached, spacing them out equally and starting at the end.
Each individual noodle should have six rungs. Use a4.utility
knife
to cut
2”
Mirror
those
markings
on the two lengths of wire using ta
slits where you’ve made your marks. (For safety purposes, we recommend
wearing leather gloves when using the utility knife. Never leave the utility
knife where children can pick it up.)
4. Duplicate those measurements/markings on the
two lengths of wire rope using tape. Make sure to
leave excess wire on both ends.
5. Cut the thin aluminum wire into 3” strips. You’ll
need approximately (28) pieces.
6. Forming a loop, wrap the ends of a 3” piece of
5. at
aluminum wire around the galvanized wire rope
each spot where you’ve marked it with tape.
Cut the thin aluminum wire into three inc
Step 5
7. Cut (14) 2 1/2’ lengths of thin aluminum wire and
5.
tie one end of each piece to each loop you just
formed on one strand of wire rope.
Cut the thin aluminum wire into t
8. Slide that strand of wire rope through three green
pool noodles and pull the aluminum strings
through each 2” slit you cut in step 3.
9. Slide the other three green pool noodles onto the
remaining strand of wire rope.
6.
Permission to reproduce this item is
granted by Scholastic Book Fairs.
tape, forming a loop.
Step 6
Steps 8 and 9
Forming bunny ears wrap the
Page 1 of 6
© 2013 Scholastic Inc. 10425 • 81550
7. Cut6.2.5 ft. long pieces of thin aluminum wire
and tiebunny
them to
thew
Forming
ears
10. Cut the red pool noodles into four equal length sections.
11. Saw the PVC pipes to the same lengths as the red pool noodle sections.
12. Push the PVC pieces into the red pool noodle pieces. These will be your DNA
ladder rungs.
13. String one rung onto each piece of aluminum wire sticking out of the green pool
noodle strand.
14. Tie the end of each aluminum wire around each loop of the second green pool
noodle strand, pulling it taught.
15. Decorate the pool tubes with the green tape as seen in the bottom photo.
16. Drill two holes into the 12”x 12” piece of plywood and string the wire ends of the
green strands through it. Bend the ends and secure them with duct tape on the
14.
Tie the alumi
bottom side of the plywood. Do this to the rest of the rungs.
17. Cover the entire surface of the plywood with black duct tape and embellish the
15. Tape the gaps with green
duct tape.
Step 14
edges with strips of green duct tape.
14.
18. Stand on step ladder and twist the DNA strand around until it has the shape you
desire. Tie the top ends of wire to the ceiling rafters.
Do this to the rest of the
19. Print the goal chart sign from page 3 of these instructions onto bright colored paper
15.
and post it near your goal chart.
Tape the gaps with g
20. Print the goal chart labels from pages 4-5 of these instructions, cut out, and tape to
the rungs of your DNA goal chart.
21. Print the arrow from page 6 of these instructions onto bright colored paper and
cut it out. Move the arrow up the goal chart, securing with tape, as your school
progresses toward its goal. *Remember, these are only suggestions.
This goal chart should be fun and creative,
so use whatever supplies you have on-hand
for substitutions.
16.
Step 16
ends of the green strand and tie it.
D
17. Twist the DNA strand around until
Cost of materials:
- 10 pool noodles @ 1.00 each = 10.00
- A spool
16. of galvanized 18 gauge wire @
endsofof
greenwire
strand
- A spool
thinthe
aluminum
@ 4.00
- Qty. 4 12 in. 5ft. long pvc pipes @ 1.4
17. Twist the DNA stran
- 12"x12" wood plank @ 3.00
- Green duct tape @ 3.37
Total = 31.13
Cost of materials:
Step 21@ 1.0
- 10 pool noodles
2 of 6
- A spool Page
of galvanized
- A spool of thin alumin
Reading Is in Our DNA
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