Blood Typing

For the blood typing, we used the Carolina Biologicals ABO/Rh typing kit, catalog number 70-0174. This activity did not directly contribute to the case study investigation and was included to help illustrate the principals of blood type and antibody agglutination. Because we were in the unique position of being a non-school-based summer program, we had more freedom to do this activity using the students' actual blood. Additionally, written parental permission was required for any student under the age of 18. The use of human tissues in the classroom is a difficult issue that must be addressed on an institutional level. Artificial blood is available from Carolina for doing this activity in a setting in which students cannot use their own blood.