Fun with DNA
Get started with this entry-level course in DNA science!
Fun with DNA
Fun with DNA is a hands-on science summer camp for students entering grades 6 and 7—the perfect first step for any curious middle schooler ready to think like a real scientist. No prior experience required.
Offered at multiple New York locations and online, Fun with DNA is one of the most accessible genetics and biology summer camps in the New York area. Over five days at the DNA Learning Center, campers leave the textbook behind and step into a real lab. They extract DNA, peer through microscopes, and genetically engineer bacteria—building academic confidence, scientific thinking skills, and a genuine feel for modern biotechnology.
Students will:
- Extract DNA from their own cells and from plants.
- Use compound microscopes to view and compare different cell types.
- Observe genetic mutations in fruit flies using stereo microscopes.
- Build physical models of DNA and cell structures.
- Genetically engineer bacteria with a firefly gene.
This camp is a great fit for:
Students who enjoy science class and want to go deeper, families looking for an academically enriching summer program, and any middle schooler curious about how living things work.
Details:
- Entering grades 6–7
- Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Parent Participation Day Friday, 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
- $600 per student
- June 29–July 3 week (at all locations except LI) is Monday–Thursday due to the Independence Day holiday. Parent Participation Day will be Thursday 2:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m. with no class Friday.
- June 29–July 3 week at Long Island location is Monday–Thursday 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Parent Participation Day Thursday 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Available at:
Long Island
New York City
Westchester
New JerseyWomen in Science & Engineering (WiSE)
Fun with DNA
Long Island location only
WiSE Fun with DNA is an expanded STEM summer camp for students entering grades 6 and 7, offered exclusively at our Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island location. Developed in partnership with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE), this program offers everything in our standard Fun with DNA camp: real genetics labs, DNA extraction, bacterial engineering—plus a unique opportunity to meet and learn from women scientists actively working at one of the world's leading research institutions.
Campers spend mornings and afternoons in the lab and take part in special WiSE sessions featuring researchers working in fields like cancer biology, neuroscience, and plant science. The week ends with a Family Day celebration and a guided tour of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory campus.
Students will:
- Extract DNA from plant and animal cells.
- Use stereo microscopes to observe genetic mutations in fruit flies and roundworms.
- Genetically engineer bacteria with firefly genes.
- Build DNA and cell models.
- Meet scientists from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and hear about their research.
This camp is a great fit for:
Students who want to meet researchers, families looking for a meaningful alternative to traditional summer camps, and any student who loves science and wants to be inspired.
Details:
- Entering grades 6–7
- Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Parent Participation Day Friday, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Includes student presentations at the DNALC and a guided tour (Students plus ONE adult guest each are invited) of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory main campus.
- $650 per student
- Available at:
DNALC in Residence—Fun with DNA
Miss Porter’s School, CT
Live out of town? We are excited to partner with Miss Porter’s School to offer Fun with DNA on their beautiful campus in Farmington, CT. Enjoy the same curriculum, taught by a DNALC educator as part of their new Summer Explorations day camp.
Learn more and apply at Summer Explorations.
Details:
- August 3–7, 2026
- Monday–Friday 8:45 a.m –5:00 p.m.
- Girls ages 11–14
- Miss Porter’s School, Farmington, CT
On-Demand Fun with DNA
Fun with DNA is an online entry-level course in DNA science. This camp is designed especially for highly motivated students interested in expanding their knowledge of basic genetics and cell biology. Participants will conduct hands-on activities and laboratory experiments designed to increase genetic literacy, encourage critical and creative thinking, and spark interest in genetics. Campers will:
- construct cell and DNA models;
- magnify and view different cell types;
- extract DNA from animal and plant cells;
- observe fruit flies with genetic mutations; and
- use Punnett squares to explore the laws of heredity.
