The ability to generate and hold primarily pre-med biology majors’ interest in the only plant course taught in their degree curriculum, is an ongoing challenge for any instructor.  In an effort to address this challenge, a hands-on laboratory exercise with real-world applications was incorporated into the introductory Botany course curriculum (BIO 112).  DNA barcoding provided an avenue for engaging the students with molecular techniques and Bioinformatics tools (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) and DNA Subway platforms). Students used these tools to identify plant species on campus and to determine phylogenetic relationships between them. The addition of this exercise created an opportunity for a new and exciting formal laboratory report topic. Students became so enthusiastic, as indicated in their reflections, that they prepared and presented their findings as a group at Barry’s annual STEM Symposium. The addition of this exercise increased students’ interests, expanded the scope of the laboratory techniques to which they were exposed, and provided an opportunity for them to present their findings at the local symposium. Botany is now under consideration for an upgrade to an upper-level course offering.