We have developed a new DNA extraction experiment for high schools. It uses the
concept “Life possesses not only unity, but also diversity” to teach Japanese and
American students that various organisms have DNA in their bodies as a
common chemical background. In this experiment, students extract DNA from
representative organisms of the five kingdoms Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae,
and Animalia (although the system of classification into five kingdoms has been
replaced by three domains in current taxonomy, Japanese students are familiar
with this classification system from their earlier education). After practice
experiments with high school students and biology teachers were performed, the
educational effects were evaluated by questionnaires. The results suggested that
the DNA extraction experiments were effective to a certain extent and that,
although several points should be improved, this experiment is adequate for
practice in high schools.