The lesson plan begins with a virtual lab in which students see seven slides of the basics of DNA extraction and how it works in a laboratory. In the virtual lab, DNA is extracted from human cells for a variety of reasons. With a pure sample of DNA a newborn can be tested for a genetic disease, analyze forensic evidence, or study a gene involved in cancer. Then the virtual laboratory "performs" a cheek swab and extract DNA from human cells.

Next is an experiment that occurs in the classroom that allows students to work in small groups to extract DNA from living things such as spinach, split green peas, broccoli, or chicken liver.