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Am I related to Justin Bieber?

Am I related to Justin Bieber?

Posted on January 10, 2011

IMG_7186.jpgEdward Bleeker Students swab to participate in the Genographic Project. Photo by Lindsay Maiorana.

Spencer Wells discussed this question and many others yesterday morning at Edward Bleeker Middle School with 130 sixth grade students.  As part of Genographic's partnership with The Silk Road Project, Yo-Yo Ma's multidisciplinary education foundation, roughly 400 students at 4 different New York City Public Schools have the opportunity to swab and trace their deep ancestry with the Genographic Project this school year. 

During today's assembly, Spencer discussed the Genographic Project and showed video footage of his Genographic expeditions. The sixth graders created family trees in preparation for Spencer's visit and discussed their predictions of what they think their Genographic results could reveal about their ancient ancestry.

IMG_7113.jpg
Spencer Wells discusses the Genographic Project with Edward Bleeker Middle School sixth grade students.  Photo by Lindsay Maiorana.

IMG_7319.jpgAn Edward Bleeker sixth grade student reviews his family tree with Spencer Wells. Photo by Lindsay Maiorana.

So...back to the question.  Could we all really be related to Justin Bieber?  Edward Bleeker sixth graders say yes!

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Genographic Kit

Welcome to the Genographic Project's blog, Genographica! Genographica will feature posts from all of the Genographic team, from our scientists based around the world, our teams at National Geographic and IBM plus guest posts as well. We hope you'll check back often and follow along with us as our work carries on!

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