Students get a taste of science
Fifth grade students at Larson Heights Elementary invert test tubes containing their DNA during a visit from Seattle Children's Research Institute's Science Adventure Lab Tuesday. From left to right: Michael Goulenko, Lelu Freeman, Natalie Richards, Denise Caudillo, Jeremy Piaz, Hailey Parsons, Donald Braack, Alyssa Lease, Devyne Francis, Daniel Gil and Jesse Pinkney
MOSES LAKE - It's no magic school bus, but it's pretty close.
The Science Adventure Lab, a program offered by the Seattle Children's Research Institute, stopped at Larson Heights Elementary Tuesday to give students hands-on exposure to science.
Five fourth- and fifth-grade classes participated in activities inside the mobile lab.
In one exercise, students collected cells from their cheeks and isolated their own DNA in test tubes. In the other scenario, students helped develop a new soft drink with less sugar than typical soft drinks.
Betsy Pecka's fifth-grade class participated in the lab's DNA exercise. Students worked under the instruction of Manager and Lead Instructor Dr. Mark Ruffo and Mobile Lab Scientist Jeremy Kim.
After isolating the DNA, students spooled the DNA out of the tube with a wooden stick and placed it on a cardboard card they could take home.
"(The students) were really excited," said Pecka. "They had a lot to say about it and they really enjoyed putting their DNA on those cards. That was really exciting for them."
"One of the things we've realized is it's important to reach kids when they're young," Ruffo said. "By high school, they've made up their minds how they feel about science."
The program was founded in 2009 and serves Washington state students in grades four through eight. Last year the program served almost 12,000 students. They had eight times more applicants than they could accommodate this year, Ruffo said.
The Science Adventure Lab is usually taken to schools that have less resources in communities and without many scientific role models, he said. There is no cost for participating schools. Most of the program's costs are funded through the Seattle Children's Research Institute. The rest is funded through grants from the U.S. Department of Education and contributions. Purchase a Miracle, a partnership of grocery and drug stores, is the largest contributor.
Ultimately, Ruffo said the research institute would like to expand the program, maybe even purchase another mobile lab. They aren't able to drive to Eastern Washington in the winter. Ruffo said they'd like to have a lab to keep stationed there so they can serve more schools.
"We're always looking for ways to grow the program," he said.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/adventurelab.