MBL Education Celebrates a Successful Season for High School Program

Students at a lab bench. Credit Jean Enright
Student from the Lincoln School at a lab bench. Credit: Jean Enright
By MBL Communications April 14, 2023
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From November 2022 to April 2023, 148 students from nine public and private high schools around the country came to Woods Hole to participate in the High School Science Discovery Courses at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL).

The 2022-2023 season was the largest and most successful since the program launched in 2018 with just 12 students. The students came from as far away as Texas to participate in the ǧƵ program.

"When these students come to the ǧƵ, they have access to equipment and expertise they can't get anywhere else," said Linda Hyman, Burroughs Wellcome Director of Education. "The courses in our High School Science Discovery Program aren't your typical 'cookie cutter' courses—we're training the next generation of scientists. We can't wait to welcome these students back to the ǧƵ as undergrads, grad students, postdocs, and beyond!"

Modeled after the ǧƵ’s popular Advanced Research Training Courses, the high school course lets students experience hands-on science in a way that isn’t possible for most people their age.

Students from the Lincoln School do work in the lab. Credit: Jean Enright
Students from the Lincoln School working in the lab with MBL scientist Carrie Albertin. Credit: Jean Enright
Two girls form the ǧƵ High School Science Discovery Program on a tour of the ǧƵ's Marine Resources Center. Credit: Jean Enright
Two girls from the High School Science Discovery Program on a tour of the ǧƵ's Marine Resources Center. Credit: Jean Enright

Five courses are available as part of the High School Science Discovery Program:

  • Anatomy & Physiology of Aquatic Animals, led by MBL Veterinarian Lisa Abbo, focuses on the anatomy, development, and physiology of various animals, with an emphasis on local marine species.
  • Coral Reefs in a Changing World, led by MBL Associate Scientist Loretta Roberson, explores corals and coral reef ecosystems—from the cell to reef using the latest tools being developed at the ǧƵ for exploring fundamental biological processes.
  • Exploring Hidden Biodiversity with DNA sequencing, led by MBL Senior Scientists David Mark Welch and Hilary Morrison, investigates the host-associated microbiomes of marine model animals in the ǧƵ's Marine Resources Center.
  • CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing: A Hands-on Experience, led by MBL Hibbitt Fellow Carrie Albertin and Scott Bennett, teaches students the fundamentals of CRISPR/Cas9 technology and allows them to apply the techniques in the lab to understand how it is used by research scientists to explore questions in basic biology, and the techniques implications for improving human health.
  • Adaptation and Evolution in Response to Environmental Challenges, taught by MBL Associate Scientist Kristin Gribble, explores the fundamentals of evolutionary biology, including concepts of adaptation, fitness, genetic heritability, and epigenetic transgenerational inheritance through the use of aquatic invertebrates and plankton.

“These courses are taught by some of the best scientists in the field. It's an amazing opportunity," said Scott Bennett, manager of secondary education at the ǧƵ.

Are you a high school teacher or administrator interested in bringing your science-interested students to the ǧƵ? Learn more about our High School Science Discovery Program and email Jean Enright, jeanright@mbl.edu for more information.

Learn more about the High School Science Discovery Program
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