The Baxter Box Program

Borrow equipment and get up to 4 lab kits per reservation FREE for attending our workshops!

We want to make sure teachers who attend our workshops are able to do the labs they learn with us in their classroom without worrying about the cost! That’s why we developed the Baxter Box Program. As soon as you know when you want to do a lab, simply request the kits and reserve the equipment below.

If you’re interested in more online resources to support lab implementation, check out these asynchronous learning opportunities!

Questions? Contact bcse@northwestern.edu

Please Sign In/Sign Up to make a reservation
ABO-RH Blood Typing With Synthetic Blood Kit (Carolina)
Using this kit, students test 4 synthetic blood samples to identify their ABO and Rh blood types.
Antibiotic Sensitivity (Carolina)
Gather laboratory evidence of bacterial antibiotic sensitivity and construct an explanation for how antibiotic-resistant bacteria evolve.
BioBits: Central Dogma (miniPCR bio)
Cell-free technology and fluorescent outputs allow students to directly visualize the flow of genetic information, from DNA to RNA to protein, all in real-time and with minimal preparation.
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. Students learn how biological molecules are separated during electrophoresis by comparing the charge and size of dyes they extract themselves. Students observe the direction and measure the rate of migration of the dyes.
DNA Glow Lab: Exploring DNA Structure (miniPCR bio)
Move beyond paper models and investigate DNA structure directly! Investigate how DNA sequence, temperature, and pH interact with the double helix.
Dog Genetics Lab: Oodles of Labradoodles (miniPCR bio)
Molly the Labradoodle has surprised you with a litter of puppies! In this lab, students use gel electrophoresis to track the inheritance of a single trait, and use their findings to determine the most likely father of Molly’s puppies.
Electrophoresis Forensics Lab: Wrongfully convicted? (miniPCR bio)
J.M. was convicted of a crime and is currently incarcerated but has always maintained his innocence. Students will use gel electrophoresis to analyze DNA samples from J.M.’s case to see if the new DNA evidence supports the original conviction.
ELISA Immuno Explorer (Bio-Rad)
The kit utilizes a technique referred to as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the presence of an antibody or an antigen in a sample.
Food Safety Lab: Mars Colony at Risk! (miniPCR bio)
Help astronauts control an outbreak of pathogenic bacteria in space food bound for Mars! Characterize bacterial strains and protect the health of astronauts.
Genotype to Phenotype - PTC Taster Lab (miniPCR bio)
Examine how genetic variations affect our ability to perceive the world around us. Use molecular techniques to determine whether you carry taster or non-taster alleles.
GMO Detection Lab (miniPCR bio)
Fast and robust PCR-based GMO detection from your favorite foods. Engage in a real-world biotechnology application relevant to agriculture, environmental science, and the food industry.
HNPCC: Detecting Inherited Forms of Cancer (Carolina)
Cancer diagnostics and treatments are on the front line of the biotechnological revolution. Your students get into the action by taking on the roles of researcher, clinician, and genetic counselor as they attempt to diagnose a family of patients. Using pedigrees and a simulated DNA-based diagnostic, students explore the genes linked to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) in a fictitious family.
Micropipetting 101 (miniPCR bio)
Micropipettes allow scientists to measure small volumes of liquid accurately. Hone your micropipetting skills by practicing with reusable supplies.
pGLO Bacterial Transformation (Bio-Rad)
Study core genetics concepts with a three-dimensional approach to the favorite pGLO bacterial transformation activity.
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration (Bio-Rad)
Explore both photosynthesis and cellular respiration using algae beads and a simple colorimetric assay. Curriculum includes structured, guided, and open inquiry investigations that cover Big Idea 2.
Pipette by Numbers
Practice pipetting in a fun and artistic way!
Sickle Cell Genetics: Diagnosing Baby Marie (miniPCR bio)
Baby Marie Robinson needs to be tested for sickle cell disease. Work through the Robinson family’s medical histories and perform genetic testing for sickle cell disease using gel electrophoresis.
Sleep Lab - Lark or Owl? (miniPCR bio)
Participate in an authentic investigation on the genetics of sleep and circadian clocks. Use PCR and gel electrophoresis to determine your own genotype at a locus that has been associated with morning vs. evening preference.
Bluegel by MiniPCR Kit

Bluegel electrophoresis systems developed by miniPCR for DNA Analysis.

This kit contains the following components:

  • 8 BLUEGEL SYSTEMS (INCLUDES GEL BOX, POWER, AND LIGHT BOX)
  • 2 CENTRIFUGES
  • 1 DRY BATH
    Centrifuge

    A centrifuge spins materials at high speeds to push heavier materials to the bottom using centrifugal force.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 1 Centrifuge
    Dry Bath

    A dry bath is used to incubate samples at a constant temperature over a period of time.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 1 Dry Bath
    Fixed Volume Pipette Kit

    Fixed volume pipettes are used to move small volumes of liquid.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 25 five-microliter pipettes
    • 25 ten-microliter pipettes
    • Disposable pipette tips
    Horizontal Gel Box Kit

    Gel electrophoresis is used for DNA analysis.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 8 Gel Boxes and supplies
    • 2 Centrifuges
    • 1 Dry Bath
    • 2 Transilluminators
    Incubator

    Incubators provide a controlled environment in which to grow microorganisms.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 1 Incubator
    • Optional: Bacterial Cultures
    MiniPCR Thermocycler Kit

    Thermocyclers are used to amplify DNA and RNA samples by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). miniPCR systems are designed to be used at individual lab stations and can hold 8 sample tubes each.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 8 MINIPCR SYSTEMS
    Mini-Toober Kit

    Mini-Toobers are used to model proteins and protein folding.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 30 Mini-Toobers
    • Multi-Colored Thumb Tacks
    Pill Box Gel Electrophoresis Kit

    DIY Gel electrophoresis can be used for DNA analysis.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 16 Pill Boxes
    • 48 9-volt Batteries
    • 32 Connector Cables
    Pipette Kit

    Pipettes are used to move small volumes of liquid.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 8 p20 Pipettes
    • 8 p200 Pipettes
    • 8 p1000 Pipettes
    • Disposable Pipette Tips
    SDS-PAGE Kit for Protein Analysis

    SDS-PAGE is used for protein analysis.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 4 Gel Boxes and supplies
    • 2 Centrifuges
    • 1 Dry Bath
    • 2 Transilluminators
    Spectrophotometer

    Spectrophotometers are used to measure the intensity of light as it is transmitted or emitted by particular substances.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 1 Spectrophotometer
    • Cuvettes
    Stir Plate

    A stir plate is a laboratory device that uses a rotating magnetic field to cause a stir bar immersed in a liquid to spin very quickly, stirring it.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 1 Stir Plate
    • Stir Bars
    Thermocycler

    Thermocyclers are used to amplify DNA and RNA samples by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 1 Thermocycler
    UV Transilluminator

    UV Transilluminators are used to visualize DNA gels.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 1 UV Transilluminator
    Vortexer

    A vortex mixer or vortexer is used to mix small containers of liquid.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 1 Vortexer
    Water Bath

    Water baths are used to incubate samples in water at a constant temperature over a long period of time.

    This kit contains the following components:

    • 1 Water Bath