Middle School Field Trips
2.5 Hour Field Trip Programs
These Laboratory Investigations are designed for students accompanied by their teacher and are targeted towards students in grades 6-8, however students in grades 9-12 are welcome to sign up for these programs.
- Programs run from 9:30AM to 12:00PM
- Cost is $12.00 per student
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Bugs on Drugs
How do you test the effects of drugs on an organism? Students will conduct their own experiments by studying the effects of nicotine, alcohol, epinephrine, and caffeine on heart rate in Daphnia (water fleas). Genetic influences of drugs’ effects are also explored using a fruit fly mutant that lacks an enzyme for digesting alcohol.
Laboratory techniques include:
- Determine heart beat rates in Daphnia (water fleas)
- Manipulate fruit flies in a controlled experiment
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DNA: Hand-me-down Genes
By examining a case study on a family with an inherited bone disorder, students will learn about the role that DNA and genes play in producing traits. Students analyze pedigrees and samples of “patient DNA” in order to gain an understanding of dominant and recessive genes, to learn about techniques that scientists use to examine DNA, and to practice using methods of predicting the probability that a trait will appear in future generations.
Laboratory techniques include:
- DNA extraction
- Gel electrophoresis
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Environmental Explorations
Students will investigate what pH is and how it affects water quality and viability of aquatic organisms. They will also learn how the pH of bodies of water can change due to human intervention.
Laboratory techniques include:
- Determination of pH
- Testing the effect of pH on Daphnia
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LSLC Crime Scene Investigation
Students will play the role of CSI detectives as they investigate evidence from a mock crime. Hands-on activities will pull together a variety of laboratory standards including use of a compound light microscope and determining density. Students will also cover basic information about DNA as they use DNA Fingerprinting to solve the crime.
Laboratory techniques include:
- Use a compound light microscope
- Determine the density of materials by water displacement
- Gel electrophoresis
- Sound wave analysis
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LSLC Outbreak!
Infectious disease is the number one cause of death world-wide. What is it, and how does it spread? Students will take on the role of epidemiologists and answer these questions as they track down the mysterious source of a mock epidemic. They will investigate disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. They will also perform a hands-on experiment to learn about antibiotic resistance.
Laboratory techniques include:
- Graphing and analysis of data generated from epidemic model
- Antibiotic sensitivity testing
- Determination of efficiency of washing for microbial removal
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