STEM Immersion: Boston 2019
From July 13-17, 2019 a group of NSHSS members explored how Boston’s abundance of universities and tech startups has paved its way to becoming a leader in the worlds of science and technology. They gained hands-on experience in MIT’s research centers and met the ground-breaking scientists of MIT’s laboratories. From robotic workshops with FIRST Robotics to learning genetic coding and green-tech initiatives, they experienced a magnitude of science innovation!
Participants had the opportunity to:
- Attend a STEM Workshop at MIT and explore the museum
- Experience a famous Boston Duck Boat tour
- Attend a Synthetic Biology Workshop
- In this workshop, participants measured the output from an E. coli that had been engineered with DNA parts. Students learned about gene expression and how genetic parts had been assembled to produce an enzyme. They also learned how to measure the enzyme's function and analyze the data they collected, allowing them to compare predictions about the designs to the reality of the data. The lab ended with an exercise in design, using the lab’s tools and concepts to address challenges impacting our world.
- Visit the Edward Kennedy Institute and attend a guided STEM program
- Venture around the city in a Historic Boston Ghost Tour
- Travel to Manchester, NH for a FIRST Robotics Coding Workshop
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- FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. FIRST is More Than Robots. FIRST participation is proven to encourage students to pursue education and careers in STEM-related fields, inspire them to become leaders and innovators, and enhance their 21st century work-life skills.
- Visit the Museum of Science
- Enjoy an evening at Boda Borg Boston
- Students were transported into a real-world gaming environment; an experience called Questing. Teams of 3-5 guests literally moved through Quests tackling a variety of mental and physical challenges. Success in the first challenge meant entry into the next challenge and so on.
- Take part in a Life Sciences Lab at Beyond Benign
- The lab featured an introduction to Green Chemistry, a hands-on lab activity, and a meet-a-scientist tour at the Warner Babcock Institute.
- Take a tour of Greentown Labs
- The 90-minute tour provided students with an introductory presentation about Greentown Labs and their members, a guided tour
through their Global Center for Cleantech Innovation 40,000 sq. ft. lab, and meetings with 2-3 startup companies.
- The 90-minute tour provided students with an introductory presentation about Greentown Labs and their members, a guided tour
- Enjoy dinner at the Boston classic, Joe's on Newbury
- Experience a Boston Red Sox Game at Fenway Park
Wish you were there?
