Fifth Graders Study Genetic Mutations at DNALC Laboratory

Earlier in the week, fifth graders spent the day at the Dolan DNA Learning Center of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

The visit was conducted through our partnership with the DNALC for a several weeks' long DNA science unit. While at the Learning Center, the boys completed two rounds of investigations, met a scientist, and explored the Learning Center’s museum.

They learned about DNA mutations and their effects by examining microscopic roundworms and small fruit flies under the microscope, searching for differences in behavior or physical characteristics that could be explained by genetic mutations.

Dr. Molly Hammell, a scientist at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory who studies how melanoma spreads, and tests treatments that might help fight the cancer, spoke at length to the boys. She fielded many questions they asked about her research and how she came to be a scientist. Dr. Hammell discussed two genes that often are mutated in melanoma, which tied in nicely to the boys’ current study of genetics.

At the Learning Center's museum, the boys viewed a full-size, 3D printed replica of Otzi, the 5000-year-old ice man who was discovered by skiers in the Alps, and they learned how scientists discerned his age, health, occupation, and travel history using molecular biology.

They were fascinated by Otzi and his story. It is believed that he was shot in the back with an arrow, fell into a crevice and was quickly buried in snow. Our boys offered their own interpretations of what might have happened to him as well, including that he had accidentally stabbed himself with an arrow, or had fallen first and landed on the arrow.

The boys came home with many new ideas and great questions they will explore as they continue their study of DNA with their teachers and DNALC educators.

This unit in Fifth Grade, as well as the partnership with DNALC in Eighth Grade, which involves an original DNA research project, afford our boys the valuable opportunity to interact with and learn in a hands-on way from scientists at the forefront of exciting DNA research. Imagine how inspiring this is for our fifth graders!

Comments

OLIVER!

This morning our fifth graders continued a great year-end tradition at Saint David's, The Fifth Grade Musical. The boys performed Oliver! and they were fantastic, providing impressive performances and demonstrating great vocal ability. They have been mastering the dialogue and musical numbers for weeks, and clearly gave it their all. Congratulations to the cast on a job well done, and to their Producers/Teachers James Hubbard and Jamie MacNeille, Director Phyllis Clark, Musical Conductor Jeff Moore, and the Parent Committee of Cynthia Chapman, Susan Kissane, Tara Neumann, Joyce Restituto, and Ann Roberts. Musical theater is alive and well at Saint David's!

Sixth Graders Meet with Dr. Carter Emmart, Director of Astrovisualization at the American Museum of Natural History

Dr. Carter Emmart with Saint David's Sixth Graders This past Friday, as part of our unique partnership with the American Museum of Natural History, sixth graders had the great honor to attend a private lecture given by Carter Emmart, Director of Astrovisualization at AMNH. Dr. Emmart told the boys about his passion for science along with an overview of the history of the Hayden Planetarium. He also gave the boys advice on how to take scientific information about the universe and compile it into an interesting and captivating show for an audience. The boys were able to see Dr. Emmart's original sketches, which helped create the Uniview program they are using to develop their presentations. The session provided our boys with an opportunity to learn how art and science come together in the planetarium, and to obtain expert advice on developing their own space shows from one of the creators of Uniview . You can learn more about Dr. Emmart's work and Univie...

Tales of a Good Man

"Sometime in the midst of all this, we became friends. And his story, and all its vast world passed into mine." --From the Introduction of Blood & Oil by Roxane Farmanfarmaian. "Stories are so important; they become traditions that tell about the good that often comes out of bad experiences..." So began Roxane Farmanfarmaian's fascinating talk Monday night at Saint David's Seventh Grade Father-Son Dinner. Dr. Farmanfarmaian, Affiliated Lecturer of Modern Middle East Studies at the Political and International Studies Department at Cambridge University, was introduced by her nephew, Saint David's seventh grader Cyrus '17. She spoke to the seventh grade boys and their fathers about what makes a "Good Man" through the prism of her book Blood & Oil : A Prince's Memoir of Iran from the Shah to the Ayatollah (Random House 2005), which she co-authored with her late father, Prince Manucher Farmanfarmaian. The memoir i...

Headmaster's Blog

Search This Blog