Princeton Molecular Biology Outreach Program

 

    A cold morning greeted 900 area middle school students as they arrived on the Princeton campus and spread out to four Expo sites sharing in the exciting research of our science and engineering departments. The enthusiasm of our faculty, postdocs and grad students meeting the curiosity of the excited middle school students sparked a chain reaction of learning and exploration. The biological sciences were represented in the Carl Icahn Lab. Students explored neurobiology from fly and cockroach neuron firing to illusions and sheep brain dissections.

    Zebrafish development and C.elegans mutants were studied as models of human diseases. Cultures of glowing Vibrio harveyi and their own bacteria on their fingers were taken back to their classrooms for future observation. PEI had exploration stations on pollution and stream water quality. Rutgers Protein Data Base staff shared how proteins fold and enjoyed watching the students create virus models from marshmallows and toothpicks.

    Dr. Ken Kremer of Wyeth Labs and a NASA Ambassador took the students on an exciting visual tour of the surface of Mars through the eyes of the Mars Rover Spirit. Dr. Manuel Llinas shared the future of biology through genomic research at the huge display wall. The process of osmosis was demonstrated as students left squishing vinegar soaked eggs.

    Three other Expo sites were enjoyed throughout the day. Dillon Gym, organized by Dr. Dan Steinberg, hosted engineering, geosciences and the materials institute activities. Frick Laboratories, led by Dr. Kathryn Wagner, shared the excitement of chemistry with the students. McDonnell auditorium and Dr. Suzanne Staggs wowed the students with the power of physics. Lunch was also served in the undergraduate dining halls to finish a complete and exhilarating day.

 

(images by Gail Klein) 

 

Read all about it:
Princeton University Article: "Middle schoolers explore wonders of science and engineering"

Princeton University Article: "Fun side of science draws local students to Princeton "

 

 

Thanks to our supporters and contributors:
Conference Services,
U Store,
Dining Services,
Printing & Mailing,
Community Affairs,
Media Services, and to all our wonderful volunteers.

With Generous Support From:
HHMI & Center for Quantitative Biology with funding from NIGMS 

 

Science Expo 2005
Science Expo 2004

 

School districts that joined us are:
Community Middle School
Cranbury School
Freehold School District
Grover Middle School
John Witherspoon Middle School
Montgomery Middle School
Princeton Charter School
Timberlaine Middle School
Trenton School District
Village Charter School