New Perspectives in Science Education

EDNA: An Interactive Elastic DNA Model for STEM Education and Research 

Dušan Račko^1,*, Zdenko Špitálsky¹, Silvia Podhradská¹, Katarína Račková²

¹ Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 41 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

² Technology Transfer Office SAS, Centre for Advanced Materials Application, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 41 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

([email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected])

* corresponding author

Visualizing and understanding DNA structure and dynamics is a major challenge in science education, especially when introducing students to concepts that bridge biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. To address this, we have developed EDNA, an interactive elastic DNA model designed to support STEM learning through hands-on exploration [Refs. 1,2].

Unlike traditional rigid DNA models, EDNA is constructed from flexible, elastic materials, enabling learners to physically manipulate the molecule and directly observe its responses to bending, twisting, writhe, and supercoiling. This tactile experience promotes intuitive understanding of DNA mechanics and highlights the interdisciplinary nature of molecular science, making it an ideal resource for STEM classrooms and outreach activities.

Grounded in computational modeling and produced with accessible polymer materials, EDNA serves a dual role as both an educational tool and a research demonstrator. It has been carefully designed to stimulate active learning, curiosity, and creativity in students at multiple levels, while also offering a tangible link between theoretical models and real-world applications.

At the conference, we will demonstrate the EDNA model, showcasing how it can enrich STEM education by fostering interactive learning, supporting cross-disciplinary teaching, and engaging students in the exploration of fundamental molecular principles.

Acknowledgements: This research was funded by the Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, Grant number VEGA 2/0038/24. The research was supported also by the Slovak Research and Development Agency SRDA 21-0346 and SRDA SK-AT 20-0011.