Cora J. Belden Library: Environmental DNA- There Must Be Something In The Water: An Online Program Through Zoom For Kids

Press release from Cora J. Belden Library:

October 23, 2021

All living things shed small amounts of DNA - their personal genetic "blueprint" - into their environment. This means that scientists can collect samples of water, soil, or air to capture this shed environmental DNA, or eDNA, to learn about the animals living in that environment. Join Alyssa Wetterau Kaganer, PhD, a Postdoctoral Associate from the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab, to find out how she uses water samples to look for eDNA from frogs and a frog virus that can kill frogs in the wild. Ask her questions about environmental DNA or about being a scientist. Recommended for children from 2nd -5th grade.

Please view the World Wildlife Fund Video and/or the Frontiers for Young Minds Article article prior to registering and submit one question you would like to ask Alyssa Wetterau Kaganer. When you register you will get the zoom code to participate in this program.

Special thanks to the Skype-a-Scientist for matching us with Alyssa Wetterau Kaganer. She is a graduate student of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation in the Cornell-Smithsonian Joint Graduate Training Program.

This press release was produced by Cora J. Belden Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.