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Dedication of the DNA Model
and
Inauguration of the Megamolecule Program

updated February 25, 2008

Megamolecule News:

On Thursday, February 21, 2008 we were visited by Mrs. Romano and twenty Padua Academy students. We worked on three basic workshop modules, including one on the use of restriction enzymes to cut DNA. We at Salesianum are always happy to work closely with one of our "sister schools."

On Monday, February 26, 2007 we were delighted that seventh grade students from Wilmington Nativity Prep visited us for an afternoon of biotechnology. The Nativity boys were the first group to participate in the Megamolecule Program. We can't wait until they return in the Spring of 2008.

On Sunday, February 11, 2007 we formally dedicated our DNA Megamolecule model and program. The event was attended by students, teachers, administrators from Salesianum and other area schools. Also in attendance were nearly all the corporate and individual benefactors who mde the construction of the Megamolecule possible.

The Model

The DNA model in the stairway of the Abessinio Science Center is three stories high, constructed of plate steel rungs and stainless steel in its backbone and spirals. It was designed, engineered and constructed at O’Rourke & Sons, Inc. in West Chester. It was installed – in one piece – by lowering it through a hole cut in the roof in August 2006.

In addition to being a beautifully engineered model of a section of DNA, the “megamolecule” holds within it a part of the genetic code needed to make a very important molecule, hemoglobin. In a sense, the DNA is a blueprint for making a protein. Salesianum students will be able to study the structure of DNA and how it is decoded.

The Age of Biotechnology

No one can deny that the science of the second half of the 20th century, and now the new millennium, will be the era of biotechnology. With the determination of the structure of DNA in the 1950's, through the work on the Human Genome Project of the 1990's, biotechnology has dominated the scientific and secular literature. It is important that all of us, the scientists and the general public, become scientifically literate in this science that is becoming more and more important to all dimensions of our lives.

Salesianum sees its role as an educational institution to prepare students for the rest of their lives. Part of this task involves giving its students the training that will make them able to fulfill their vocations as responsible citizens able to make informed decisions in all aspects of life, even in the application of biotechnology.

Salesianum plans to share the model and curriculum with area schools, including diocesan, private, and public schools. This outreach would provide the general community an opportunity to learn and become excited about biotechnology in general and life at Salesianum School in specific.

For more information...

Phil Vavala
Salesianum School
1801 N. Broom Street
Wilmington, DE 19802-3891
(302) 654-2495, ext 213
pvavala@salesianum.org

Go to the Salesianum home page.

Go to Phil Vavala's web page.

photo by Anthony Pierce '99

The Program

Because of its geographical location near major transportation routes, and because of its proximity to a number of biotechnology institutions, coupled with its modern science facilities, Salesianum is in a position to share its resources with neighboring schools, both public and private. The Megamolecule Program is designed with that in mind. Teachers and students will be invited to work with the Megamolecule curriculum, and to attend biotechnology workshops given by Salesianum teachers on site.

A book of laboratory exercises pertaining to the model, and other biotechnology investigations has been developed and will be revised on an on-going basis. Salesianum teachers have integrated the megamolecule into their respective syllabi.

Salesianum will provide individual copies of an instructional manual to teachers in our neighborhood schools, and to science supervisors and superintendents of school districts in the region.