Performing real science experiments

Imelda Gallagher’s advanced placement biology class at Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School (HAFTR) had the wonderful experience of seeing the diagrams in their textbooks come to life at the DNA Learning Center in Cold Spring Harbor on Feb. 19.

After a 40-minute bus ride, students went upstairs to the laboratory and were divided into teams of two. Each pair received the necessary materials for the two labs.

Students had the opportunity to work with professional equipment, such as micro-pipets and centrifuges. “I felt like an actual scientist!,” HAFTR junior Harlee Miller exclaimed. “When using the sophisticated equipment I had the opportunity to really understand what it’s like to do lab work.”

Students performed two experiments: one involving DNA restriction enzymes, the other analyzing bacterial transformation. The instructor explained the science behind the lab results while taking notes on the SmartBoard. “It was interesting and cool to put our knowledge to use,” said junior Rachel Gelnick.

While the DNA gel electrophoresis ran, many of the students went on a tour of the laboratory. Students’ mouths were agape after hearing the guide explain the complexity of the ninety-percent robot-run lab. Machines occupied nearly half of the room; with tubes of blood rushing in and out. Figures in blue and white lab coats rushed about, inspecting slides under microscopes and preparing cultures for analysis.

“It was so interesting how the lab was split into different sections depending on what area of the body needed to be tested,” said Miller. “I couldn’t stop asking questions! I thought it was amazing!”

The results of the electrophoresis were posted on the SmartBoard for the class to critique. Students were excited to see their efforts pay off. “It was rewarding to know that I did the work,” Gelnick said.

Although some of the results did not match the example gel entirely, students are eager to learn from their mistakes for next time. Hopefully, students will enjoy writing up the lab reports just as much as they enjoyed partaking in the experiments! And, as the laboratory guide said, “Who knows, maybe some of you students will end up working here one day.”