SciTech is UMBI's dedicated student learning lab. Located in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, SciTech engages middle and high school students in intensive hands-on laboratory-based activities that stimulate thought and excite participants.
During a visit to the SciTech Learning Lab, students are challenged to develop hypotheses and delve into the world of scientific experimentation. Interactions with researchers, scientists and graduate students from UMBI (upon request) provide a vital link that helps participants understand the role of the research scientist and breaks down the misconceptions about the scientific research community.
With six different activities to choose from, educators are able to complement and enhance scientific concepts that are already being taught in the classroom. Each of our laboratory activities are based on real-world problems and issues, allowing students to apply the content knowledge they already possess in new and challenging ways.
Each laboratory activity takes approximately 3 hours to complete and are offered every week day throughout the year. To schedule a visit for your middle or high school class, please review the lab activities listed below and then complete the reservation form. If you have any questions about the visit or would like to talk with one of UMBI's education and outreach staff to help in selecting the perfect activity for your class, please contact Monique Doyle at (410) 576-5746 or email scitech@umbi.umd.edu.
The cost is $10/student and chaparones and teachers attend free of charge.
To make a reservation:
1. Review and choose from among the lab activities below.
2. Click here to print out a reservation form.
3. Fill in the form, including all information and dates (we will do our best to accomodate your first choice of dates) and save to your desktop.
4. Email the completed for to scitech@umbi.umd.edu or mail to:
SciTech, Suite 200
701 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
LAB ACTIVITIES
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DNA Exploration
In this lab, students will explore the role and function of DNA in living organisms. Following an introduction to DNA, students will have an opportunity to extract DNA from several different samples. They will be challenged to develop a testable hypothesis about whether a particular sample will or will not contain DNA. They will then conduct an experiment to test their hypothesis and interpret their results. Students will conclude their experience by creating a DNA necklace using their own DNA. For a list of the VSC's covered in this lab, click here.For a list of the CLG's covered in this lab, click here.
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Crucial Concentration
In this lab, students will use the Lowry Assay to determine the concentration of protein in different sports drinks. A spectrophotometer will be used to generate a standard curve that students will then compare to their unknown sport drinks' protein concentration. This is a great activity to incorporate graphing skills into real world science. For a list of the CLG's covered in this lab, click here. For middle school VSC standardsclick here.Grades 8 - 12.
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Mystery of the Crooked Cell
In this lab, students will investigate the ways in which biotechnology is used to diagnose disease, specifically sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease that affects the hemoglobin molecule in red blood cells. Using gel electrophoresis, students will determine whether a fictitious patient carries the gene that causes sickle cell anemia. Students will learn how sickle cell anemia is inherited as well as explore the evolution of this disease and its connection to the parasite that causes malaria. For a list of the CLG's covered in this lab, click here. For middle school VSC standards click here. Grades 6 - 12.
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Enzyme Function Lab
Students will explore and investigate the specificity of enzymes. They will act as technicians in a biotechnology industry lab that is developing a product for lactose intolerance. They will perform tests on the newly developed lactase enzyme for effectiveness on its substrate while changing the pH and temperature of its environment. Discover what you know about enzymes used in everyday products and how enzymes are used in biotechnology research. For a list of the CLG's covered in this lab, click here. For middle school VSC standardsclick here. Grades 7 -12.
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Natural Products
In this lab, students are introduced to biotechnology through the use of natural products. Natural products, produced from animal or plant extracts, have been used by humans for thousand of years. Students will investigate anti-microbial properties of different plants on bioluminescent bacteria. With the guidance of the SciTech staff, students will experience the process of identifying a problem, scientifically testing a hypothesis and interpreting the results of that experiment. For a list of high school CLG's, click here. For middle school VSC standards click here. Grades 6 - 12.
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Wildlife Forensics
In this lab, students will use act as wildlife forensic scientists, testing whether tissue confiscated by U.S. Customs officials comes from a protected species, the great white shark or another species of shark which is legal to possess. Using DNA gel electrophoresis, students will visualize and analyze the resulting banding pattern on an agarose gel. They will be challenged to interpret their results and provide a report to the Customs officials on the identity of the confiscated samples. This activity introduces students to one of the most powerful tools in DNA analysis, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and challenges them to identify similarities or differences among DNA molecules. For a list of the CLG's covered in this lab, click here. For middle school VSC standardsclick here.Grades 9 - 12.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Where is the SciTech Learning Lab located?
- SciTech is located in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore at 701 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Buses may drop students off in front of the building. There is no free parking available. There are various public parking garages in the area.
How do I make a reservation for my class?
1. Review and choose from among the lab activities above.
2. Click here to print out a reservation form.
3. Fill in the form, including all information and your top 3 preferred dates (we will do our best to accomodate your first choice of dates)
4. Email the completed form to scitech@umbi.umd.edu or mail to:
SciTech, Suite 200
701 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
What is the cost of the program?
What is the minimum and maximum number of students allowed?
How do I know what the best activity is for my students?
- Please review the descriptions of the laboratory activities listed above. All of our activities are aligned with the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum and relevant CLG's and VSC's are listed for each activity. You may also contact one of the Education and Outreach staff members to discuss your options at (410) 576-5746 or email scitech@umbi.umd.edu.
Who do I contact if I have any questions?
- You can contact one of our Education and Outreach staff by calling (410) 576-5746 or by emailing scitech@umbi.umd.edu.
Education& Outreach | SciTech | Maryland Loaner Lab | Professional Development
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