National DNA Day is a unique day when students, teachers and the public can learn more about genetics and genomics! The day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003, and the discovery of DNA's double helix.
What Are You Doing for National DNA Day? 
Go to the 2009 National DNA Online Transcript to see all of the questions and answers fielded by genetics and genomics experts from NHGRI and around the nation.
National DNA Day 2009-2010 Resources
2010 National DNA Day Award Abstracts
2010 National DNA Day Essay Questions Now Available
The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) invites you to participate in the 5th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest! The contest is open to students in grades 9th - 12th. The winning student will receive $400 and the teacher will receive a $2000 grant for laboratory genetics equipment.
Please visit ASHG DNA Day 2010 for the essay questions, rules and more information. The submission site goes live in January 2010 and the deadline is March 15, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. International submissions are welcome.
National DNA Day 2008
- Remembering National DNA Day 2008

NHGRI Former Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. welcomed participants to the 2008 celebration of National DNA Day.
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- 2008 Online Chatroom Transcript
- The Online Chatroom was open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern on April 25, 2008, National DNA Day
- Students, teachers, everyone, chatted with leading researchers in the field of genetics.
- DNA Day Speaker Presentation
Download Powerpoint slides featuring a range of topics: From DNA to Function, How Proteins Are Made, Making SNPs Make Sense, more. - April 2008 DNA Day Previews
For more ideas on how to celebrate DNA Day in your classroom, browse our DNA Day pages using the choices at the top of this page and try out our learning activities from DNA Day celebrations in the past. All of the activiites here are aimed at inspiring the next generation of scientists who will use the human genome sequence to benefit human health.
For questions about DNA Day or DNA Day resources, please send an e-mail to: DNAday@mail.nih.gov
Last Updated: September 17 2009






