The Baxter Box Program

Teachers who attend one or more Baxter Center workshops gain access to the Baxter Box Program, a free lending library of lab materials and equipment.

Please note: The Baxter Box program has changed for the 2020-21 school year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Introducing Baxter Box demo kits! Educators who have participated in a Baxter Center workshop can borrow demo versions of Baxter Box labs to run as interactive virtual experiences for their students. We hope this can give you an opportunity to creatively bring authentic and engaging labs to your students. See some examples of how some of the Baxter Box labs can work as interactive demos [link to videos and resources page].

You can also access the Baxter Box program by joining us in one of our Baxter Box @ Home workshops this year. If you’re interested in more online resources to support lab implementation, check out these asynchronous learning opportunities!

Questions? Contact bcse@northwestern.edu

Available Demo Kits

Antibiotic Effects
The Antibiotic Sensitivity kit, based on the Bauer-Kirby test, investigates the effectiveness of three antibiotics using disks of tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and penicillin on a petri dish.
BioBits:Central Dogma (miniPCR)
With minimal equipment and a quick and straightforward protocol, students will use cell-free technology to visualize the flow of genetic information and monitor transcription and translation in real time through fluorescence.
Candy Dye Gel Electrophoresis
Introduce your students to the basic principles and operation of gel electrophoresis with this quick and easy experiment using colorful candy dyes.
Crime Scene Investigator (BioRad)
This activity serves as an introduction to PCR for students by allowing them to simulate DNA profiling as it is commonly used in forensic laboratories.
DNA Damage & Repair (Edvotek)
Design your own experiment to find out more about how UV light damages DNA and visualize the damage with gel electrophoresis.
DNA Glow Lab: Exploring DNA Structure (miniPCR)
With the use of DNA binding dye, students will see DNA fluoresce when it selectively binds to double stranded DNA.
Forensic DNA Fingerprinting (BioRad)
This activity serves as an introduction to restriction enzymes and gel electrophoresis allowing students to simulate DNA profiling as it is commonly used in forensic laboratories.
Genotype to Phenotype: PTC Taster Lab (miniPCR)
Students examine how small genetic variations called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can change our ability to perceive the world around us.
GMO Investigator (miniPCR)
In a simple 3-step experimental protocol you will amplify genetically engineered elements from foods and plant tissues.
HNPCC: Detecting Inherited Forms of Cancer (Carolina)
Using pedigrees and a simulated DNA-based diagnostic, students explore the genes linked to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) in a fictitious family.
Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration (BioRad)
Students will explore both photosynthesis and cellular respiration in a single organism (an alga) using a simple colorimetric assay to yield qualitative and/or quantitative results.
Restriction Digest and Analysis of Lambda DNA (BioRad)
By visualizing the effects of three different enzymes on identical samples of double-stranded DNA, students learn that different restriction enzymes recognize and cut different DNA sequences.
Sickle Cell Gene Detection (Edvotek)
In this experiment, your students will investigate the restriction enzyme that discriminates between HbA (normal) and HbS (disease) genes and perform a simulated test on a patient.
Simulated Blood Typing “Whodunit” (Wards)
Students attempt to solve a crime by matching the blood type of samples found at the "scene" with those of several suspects.
Space Food Safety (miniPCR)
In this lab, you will help the International Space Agency control an outbreak of pathogenic bacteria in space food bound for Mars!