(758)MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND SCIENCE VISUALIZATIONLABORATORY EXPERIENCE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - ASUMMER INTERNSHIP

摘要

During the summer of 2009, the Institute for Science Education and ScienceCommunication (Science Institute) at Columbia College Chicago (CCC) offered monthlong,intensive summer internships for Chicago area high school students. The programoffered participants research experience in molecular biology and instruction in computervisualization techniques. In this presentation, we will describe the program structure andreport the participants’ feedback regarding their experiences in the internship. Thefeedback has encouraged our group to offer an expanded version of the program in thesummer of 2010.Eighteen of 67 applicants from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgroundsattending Chicago area high schools were selected to participate in the internship.Selected applicants (15 girls and 3 boys) all expressed interest in pursuing careers in thelife and/or medical sciences.The program was designed to aid students in (1) nurturing their interest in science andtechnology by providing cancer biology research and computer visualization laboratoryexperience;;(2) increasing their communication, self-esteem, awareness, and social skillsby providing a diverse and socially stimulating environment for them to work, learn andinteract in;;and (3) experiencing the rigors of scientific research in particular and anacademic environment in general.The scientific experiments and theoretical aspects of the program content were presentedby a PhD researcher with considerable experience working with students. The laboratoryset-up and instruction on the technical aspects of the experiments were conducted by alab technician and an undergraduate teaching assistant. The computer visualizationcomponent of the course was instructed by the director of the science visualizationlaboratory at CCC, assisted by undergraduate teaching assistants.Participating students investigated the biological activity of natural phytochemicals andtheir potential use as chemopreventative agents. In conducting these experiments,participants had the opportunity to apply the scientific method;;learn the fundamentals ofcell cycle regulation;;explore cell signalling pathways and how aberrations in thesemechanisms can lead to cancer;;and engage in practical laboratory techniques includingDNA extraction, mammalian tissue culture, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry.Participants also enhanced their science communication and presentation skills bylearning computer science visualization applications. Participants presented their findingsand their science visualization products to invited guests and the public at large at finalsymposia.During the post-program survey and interview process, we asked for participants’attitudes toward science and impressions regarding changes in their interest in science,determination to pursue careers in science, confidence in their abilities to conductscientific investigations, ability to communicate science, and their ability to collaboratewith others. We also inquired as to the utility of the experience in terms of the collegeapplication process and pursuit of a college degree. The positive feedback provided bythe participants has led us to develop an expanded internship to be offered in 2010.