Paper short abstract:

A clumsy citizen scientist and erstwhile lab technician experiments with a National Geographic DNA and genetics kit for kids. In this science project, the results are secondary to the process.

Paper long abstract:

"What is behind a scientific text? Inscriptions. How are these inscriptions obtained? By setting up instruments" -From Science in Action.

In Latour's "Science in Action", the context of the lab is more important than the results being obtained. Through his own performance of his writing, he brings elements of play into his analysis of the social and messy work of scientists. Play is essential into opening up new inquiry, and this presentation and video uses the concept of play to inquire about how science experiments are done and by whom.

In this scenario, a clumsy citizen scientist and erstwhile lab technician experiments with a National Geographic DNA and genetics kit for kids. Instructions are followed, although it is clear that the instructions belie the messiness of the experiment. Her citizen science project involves a slurry of tomato, dish soap and salt, and she manages to isolate tomato DNA in between feeding her dog, going out to happy hour, and washing the dishes. The materiality of daily life and the messiness and contingent nature of the lab reveal the inner workings of the black box which in this case is certainly not empty. In this science project, the results are secondary to the process.