Lab bench prepped for Open LabThe Open Lab experience involved extracting DNA from strawberries, and using paints to illustrate the experience.
Shanta Hinton Lab
Bright pink test-tube holderProfessor Hinton's choice of lab materials adds cheer for biologists of all ages.
Open Lab orientationOpen Lab participants first met in the conference room for orientation
Shanta Hinton Lab
New faces for Open LabAt the start students were quiet in the new setting
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab orientation cont.Dr. Hinton worked to relax the students, and their parents.
Shanta Hinton Lab
Liz Allison welcomes Open LabW&M Biology Department Chair Dr. Liz Allison spoke briefly to the Open Lab group
Shanta Hinton Lab
W&M biologists establish a fun tone
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab orientation cont.W&M students and children begin to make friends
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab orientation cont.Students learn why DNA matters to them
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab orientation cont.
Introducing DNA at Open LabQuestions were encouraged and students quickly embraced the topic.
Shanta Hinton Lab
DNA in a strawberryStudents were introduced to nucleotides using the strawberry as a model
Shanta Hinton Lab
Preparing for the laboratoryLab coats were supplied as an introduction to lab protocol and safety.
Shanta Hinton Lab
Preparing for the laboratory, cont.Enough lab coats for everyone!
Shanta Hinton Lab
Walking to the lab, cont.At first some students appeared apprehensive traveling the halls of the science building
Shanta Hinton Lab
Walking to the lab, cont.Open Lab's goal was to introduce parents to the process as well as the students
Shanta Hinton Lab
In the laboratory Young students are introduced to the lab environment while undergraduate assistants look on.
Shanta Hinton Lab
In the laboratory, cont.Dr. Hinton's multi-colored choice in lab materials enliven the workbench.
Shanta Hinton Lab
In the laboratory, cont.Soon apprenhension gave way to engagement in the lab.
Shanta Hinton Lab
Looking through the florescent microscope
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab petri dish illuminated
Shanta Hinton Lab
Student looking through microscope
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Open Lab, cont.Students wear safety glasses in keeping with good lab protocol.
Shanta Hinton Lab
Parent looking through microscopeOpen Lab introduces both students and parents to the subject and environment of science research
Shanta Hinton Lab
William and Mary undergraduatesOpen Lab provided teaching experience for current undergraduate students
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab, cont.Building relationships between young and mature students
DNA from strawberries!
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab, cont.Student begins the process to extract DNA from a strawberry
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab, cont.Strawberries undergoing DNA extraction
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab, cont.DNA extraction
Shanta Hinton Lab
Hampton University student helps at Open Lab
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab, cont.After DNA extraction, students report by painting about their experience
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab report mediumLab reports were made with colorful paints
Shanta Hinton Lab
Clean up needed in the DNA Lab
Shanta Hinton Lab
Making ice cream with scienceAfter lab, refreshments included home-made ice cream using liquid nitrogen.
Shanta Hinton Lab
Ice Cream PreparationAn Open Lab student, attired in safety gear, makes ice cream using liquid nitrogen.
Shanta Hinton Lab
Dr. Shanta HintonDr. Shanta Hinton oversees a student making ice cream with liquid nitrogen
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab refreshmentsStrawberry and peach ice cream home-made at the Open Lab
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab refreshmentsExtreme safety gear for the important work of stirring ice cream
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab refreshmentsA parent talks to Biology Dept. chair Liz Allison, next to Shanta Hinton, Open Lab director.
Shanta Hinton Lab
Open Lab participantsGroup photo of some students (from pre-school to graduate), parents, and faculty partipating in Open Lab
Shanta Hinton Lab
GoodbyesAt the end of Open Lab, new friends say goodbye.
Shanta Hinton Lab
Young students extract DNA during Open Lab
| August 17, 2012
This summer Assistant Professor of Biology Shantá Hinton organized an outreach program entitled Open Lab that brought students of all ages into the world of DNA extraction. Young children and their parents were introduced to the world of biological science using fun yet advanced laboratory techniques.
The project aimed to help students realize that anyone can be a scientist if they understand the concepts, follow protocols, and bring their curiosity and creativity into the laboratory. Undergraduate students enjoyed the teaching experience, and the students enjoyed everything from the extraction process, viewing cells in the microscope, and of course eating ice-cream made on the spot using liquid nitrogen.
View the photos above to see Dr. Hinton's Open Lab in action.