Pennsbury High School Sets 2nd Guinness World Record

FALLSINGTON, PA —Not many can say that they're in the Guinness Book of World Records.

But Pennsbury High School can say they've done it twice —with the first time coming only four years ago.

Pennsbury High School recently received official notification from the Guinness Book of World Records that they beat the record for the longest synthetic double helix structure ever created.

The structure, which was built on the grounds of Pennsbury High School last May, measured 624 feet in length, or 190.350 meters.

The previous record was 246 feet.

Witnesses from Gilmore & Associates, Inc., a surveying company from New Britain, assisted in measuring and validating the completed structure.

The idea grew out of National DNA Day, which is celebrated each April.

In 10th grade, students learn about DNA, its structure, and how its chemicals arrange to make them uniquely who they are, school officials said.

Biology teachers had each student construct their own piece of DNA and decide the sequence of the chemicals on their piece, making it uniquely theirs.

This made for more than 700 segments of DNA. Then, on May 25, 2023, the students and their teachers connected the segments, shattering the old record.

"Our ultimate inspiration for breaking this record was our students," Biology teacher Amanda Pettit said.

"Our goal as teachers is to spark interest in learning within our students, a passion for science, a sense of belonging and community in their school. This past year, marked the 70th anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA, so what better way to honor that than to construct their own DNA model?" Pettit added.

The role of the witnesses from Gilmore & Associates Inc. was to ensure every aspect of the record-setting attempt was fair and truthful.

Pennsbury's video production team provided on-site video evidence and drone coverage of the event and finished product, school officials said. The photos, videos, witness statements, and evidence were submitted to Guinness following the assembly of the DNA structure.

This is the second world record set by Pennsbury High School.

On June 1, 2019, The Pennsbury High School Senior Prom shattered the Guinness World Record for the most lipstick kiss prints on a mural.

The 63-foot-long, 11-foot-high 3D mural, which used 41,692 kisses, spelled out "Rock Music" to fit the theme of "Prom to the Music."