Learning lab skills at summer science camp

Twelve graduates of Malverne’s Howard T. Herber Middle School who exhibited exceptional strength in science were chosen to participate in a special two-week Summer Science Camp at Malverne High School.

The program, which was made possible through a grant administered by Stony Brook University’s Center for Advancing Science and Math Education, exposed the students to basic lab techniques used in biotechnology and molecular biology research. Through daily lab work students learned the proper techniques to perform gel electrophoresis, micropipetting, polymerase chain reactions, bacterial transformations and forensics lab work.

All graduating eighth graders were given the opportunity to apply for the program, which was offered for the first time last year. To be considered for the program, students were required to fill out an extensive application that included teacher references and an essay explaining why they wished to participate.

Six other students, who will be entering their sophomore year at Malverne High School, attended a four-week residential research program at Stony Brook University.

“The Summer Science Camp gives our incoming freshmen a jump start in the high science research program,” said science research teacher Chuck Vessalico. “The hands-on approach that we use helps students master the laboratory skills they will need to conduct more advanced research during the course of the year.”