At Princeton High School, innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. This past year, Biology teacher Steffanie Shoop and Special Education teacher Hellanna Koflowitch sought to make their DNA unit more interactive and accessible, particularly for a visually impaired student joining their class. Their goal? To move beyond traditional paper models of nucleotides and create 3D versions that all students could manipulate.

This is when Matt Halfacre, the Design and Engineering teacher at Princeton Middle School, stepped in. When Shoop and Koflowitch shared their vision, Matt immediately took action. Using his Glowforge laser cutter—gifted to the IDEAS wing by the Princeton Educational Foundation—he prototyped nucleotide pieces out of balsa wood. By the end of the day, he had crafted several usable models. However, some pieces proved too fragile, prompting a search for a sturdier material.

That’s when inspiration struck. The team saw an opportunity to upcycle unused COVID-era plexiglass dividers into durable, high-quality nucleotide models. By repurposing approximately three square feet of acrylic, he not only solved the fragility issue but also gave new life to otherwise discarded materials.

The result? Engaging, hands-on learning experiences for students. Using these plexiglass nucleotides, Shoop and Hellanna’s students created DNA replication model videos, bringing complex biological processes to life in a tangible way. Check out one of their student-created videos here.

Halfacre humbly credits the science department for their creative vision, but it’s clear this collaboration exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary teamwork and sustainability. By combining science, engineering, and a commitment to accessibility, Princeton educators are making a lasting impact—one nucleotide at a time.