What began as a bold idea to mark National Science Week and its 2025 theme, Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language, became an unofficial world record achievement.
The plan was ambitious: build the world’s longest DNA model and showcase it in the atrium of Perth Children’s Hospital.
The brainchild of The Kids Research Institute Australia’s CONNECT Manager, April Welsh, the project came to life with the help of hundreds of children, families, staff and volunteers.
It started in the Goldfields, where local primary school students attending The Kids’ inaugural Kalgoorlie STEM Festival got twisting – using pipe cleaners and beads to craft more than 355 mini-DNA models. These were carefully transported back to Perth to form part of the giant strand.
In Perth, momentum grew quickly. The Kids’ Board members joined in, as did WA Chief Scientist Professor, Sharath Sriram, during a visit to The Kids.
Children on the wards of Perth Children’s Hospital eagerly added their creations, supported by staff and volunteers from partnering organisations including Perth Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charities WA, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, Clown Doctors, Radio Lollipop and the School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health.
Together, the Perth contingent produced 611 more models.
By week’s end, a total of 966 mini-DNA models had been built, requiring 5,313 pipe cleaners and 23,184 beads.
Patients, parents, staff and volunteers then came together to weave the pieces into a dazzling double helix that stretched an astonishing 262 metres through the hospital atrium.
The result? A strand more than 70 metres longer than the previous record-holder – and a colourful symbol of curiosity, creativity and community.
“This was truly a team effort,” Ms Welsh said.
“From the kids in Kalgoorlie who kicked things off, to the patients, families, staff and volunteers here in Perth, every single person played a part in creating something extraordinary.”
Ms Welsh emphasised the achievement was more than a record – it was a shining example of collaboration in action.
“Seeing all the organisations across Perth Children’s Hospital come together, working side by side with patients and families, showed the power of what’s possible when we unite around a shared vision,” she said.
“I’m so proud of what we achieved together.”