I chose the topic of Rosalind Franklin and the

double helix for two reasons. The first reason is that I

have always loved science. When I initially learned
about Rosalind Franklin in seventh grade I was
fascinated by the process of the discovery of what we
now know as DNA and wanted to learn in a more in
depth way about how it was discovered and the people
who discovered it. Second, I was horrified by the
injustice of how she was treated by her colleagues in
the field of science. So when I heard that the theme for
NHD was Explore, Encounter and Exchange I knew my
subject would be Rosalind Franklin.

I began by revisiting the sources I had been

exposed to in seventh and ninth grade. Specifically I rewatched the Nova documentary that detailed Franklin's
career in crystallography and x-ray diffraction which led
to her famous Photo 51. Additionally, the Nova
documentary, which became one of my most integral
sources, led me to some crucial primary source
interviews as well as a plethora of secondary source
background information. I then went and read the two
books mentioned in the Nova documentary which where
The Double Helix by James Watson, and The Dark Lady
of DNA by Brenda Maddox. After that I went and
searched for primary resources on the internet and
came up with sites such as Welcome Library and The
Rosalind Franklin Papers. I was also able to expand my
knowledge on Franklin after reading the annotated
version of Watsons book which helped to fill in the
gaps.

I selected my presentation category because I have

always wanted to make a website and this was the
perfect opportunity. Using Weebly I took all the photos
and quotes I had found and put them into their own
sections. I then made the timeline with a useful tool
called Timeline JS. I found a couple of great sources
that discussed the history of DNA research and I
compiled the most important sections into my timeline.

My project, The Double Helix and The Double

Standard, very clearly connects with the theme of
Exploration, Encounter and Exchange. As a scientist,
Franklins life work was dedicated to exploring
scientific fields which would, in her words, contribute
directly to the improvement of mankind'". However, as
a woman, Franklin encountered fervent and unrelenting
resistance and outright sexism from her colleagues,
eventually leading her to abandon her research of DNA
without ever knowing that her work unlocked the door
to the secret of life. As for exchange, even though she
was unaware of her contribution, Franklins exchange of
information through her Photo 51 gave the world of
science, and the world of mankind, an unparalleled gift;
the gift of forwarding the field of genetics to increase
human beings understanding of themselves.