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Introducing Medicinal Chemistry Research to Middle School Students: A Multi-Faceted Approach from a GK-12 Experience Kristin Jansen Labby 1,2 and Michelle Paulsen 1 1 Reach for the Stars, CIERA and the Office for STEM Education Partnerships, Northwestern University, Evanston IL 2 Current affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI Reach for the Stars: an NSF GK-12 Program Field Trip Stations Student Response and Feedback* Teacher Partner: Pamela Sims 6 th and 7 th Grade Science Field Trip Curriculum Goals: 1. Expose students to scientific research, generate excitement. 2. Reemphasize my PhD research work, the process of medicinal chemistry research: Advice for Hosting a Student Visit Other favorite aspects of the field trip (number of student responses): • meeting scientists (2) • everything/could not decide (2) • meeting Prof. Silverman (4) • relating science to everyday life (2) Acknowledgments Organization: • plan ahead to schedule facility visits, photographers, etc. • consider time and number of students (2 days, 50 students each; five 20-minute stations) • delegate tasks to volunteers and school staff • be aware of safety considerations and release forms • make a “Master Plan” document and a detailed “day-of Timeline” to share with everyone involved • at each station have a clock clearly visible and the schedule posted • notify EVERYONE in the building of a student visit • encourage a reflection activity the next day to maximize impact and gain feedback Adapting Your Research Work: • consider the big picture of your research • simplify, simplify, simplify concepts of your research • make posters to provide additional information about the science behind activities • take advantage of exciting research facilities on your campus • get the students involved in safe lab activities and provide “souvenirs” • take photos of the day and showcase the event in a department/campus newsletter Nettelhorst Middle School East Lakeview Neighborhood, Chicago, IL Nettelhorst Field Trip to Silverman Hall After several months of working with a GK-12 fellow in their science class, 6 th and 7 th grade students visited Silverman Hall on Northwestern’s campus, home to chemistry, biochemistry, and engineering research labs, and the Center for Advanced Molecular Imaging (CAMI). CAMI 3-D Visualization Wall April 26 th and 27 th , 2012 Students arrive at Silverman Hall Design Target Molecules Synthesize Target Compounds in the Lab Purification of Target Compounds (Chromatography) Test Compounds with Drug Target and/or Cells Five Activity Stations, 20 minutes each: 1. CAMI 3-D Biomolecular Visualization Wall 2. Cancer Cell Culture and Micropipetting Practice 3. Computational Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design 4. Chemical Reaction Demonstrations 5. Chromatography Station 1 (3-D Visualization Wall) Purpose: • generate excitement • review nitric oxide synthase (NOS) protein structure and my research towards an Alzheimer’s therapeutic • gain understanding of complex structures of biomolecules and how scientists work to understand them Station 2 (Cancer Cells and Micropipetting) Purpose: • understand cells as model organisms (cancer cells under microscope) • interact with equipment that scientists use (micropipettes) • med chem: evaluate target compounds in cells This event would not have been possible without the support of the following: Nettelhorst: Ms. Pamela Sims, Nettelhorst School staff and parents, and the 6 th and 7 th grade students of Nettelhorst. NU Office for STEM Education Partnerships: Michelle Paulsen (RftS Program Director), Amy Pratt, John Bohan, Kemi Jona, and Vicky Kalogera. CAMI: Keith MacRenaris and Matt McCrory. The Silverman and Scheidt Research Labs. Station Volunteers: Dustin Hawker, James Kraus, Jose Juncosa, Mike Vagnini, Kelly Lutz, Anastasia Scangas, Becky Farmer, and Roxy Atienza. Reach for the Stars is a GK-12 program supported by the National Science Foundation under grant DGE-0948017. Travel support for KJL provided by the Younger Chemists Committee and the Spring 2013 CIBA Young Scientist Travel Award. 0 5 10 15 20 25 1. 3-D Wall 2. Cancer Cell Culture/Pipetting 3. Computational Med Chem 4. Chemical Reactions 5. Chromatography Student Responses: Favorite Field Trip Station Decent student interest in all stations, and excitement for high- impact demos. Additional comments from students: “My favorite part was participating in stuff.” “My favorite part was the laboratory…the lab coats and glasses made it all look really real.” “Now I have a different perspective of science and how it works.” “I have to say I hated standing because I like to sit.” *Feedback was in the form of Thank You cards/letters, which gave students opportunity to reflect on their favorite aspects of the day and what they learned during the field trip. Additional Activities: • visit from Prof. Richard B. Silverman (creator of Lyrica, Kristin’s PhD advisor) • stop at Kristin’s lab workspace • stop at Kristin’s poster from a scientific conference • lunch in a college classroom Station 3 (Computational Med Chem) Purpose: • tie in with 6 th grade curriculum: scientists use models to study complex systems • med chem: introduce design of target molecules and lead into chemical reactions used to synthesize molecules Station 4 (Chemical Reactions) Purpose: • generate excitement • interactive (heat packs, baking soda and vinegar, endothermic reaction) • med chem: how to set up a chemical reaction to make target compounds and demos featuring the various indications of chemical reactions Station 5 (Chromatography) Purpose: • interactive paper and markers chromatography activity (take home) • med chem: need to separate target molecule from a chemical reaction Paper Chromatography Activity Demos : 1. Color change (iodine clock reaction) 2. light produced/consumed: UV-induced/glow sticks 3. gas produced (vinegar and baking soda) 4. endothermic reaction 5. exothermic reaction (heat packs) http://gk12.ciera.northwestern.edu/
