MURFREESBORO, Tenn. —
Six of Blackman High School’s
top science students are experiencing far-reaching insights into Middle
Tennessee State University research and laboratory facilities during a weeklong
immersion project.
Biology assistant professor David E. Nelson made the offering, which he calls “Art of Microscopy,” available to the
students from Blackman Collegiate Academy and AP chemistry classes taught by Kimberly Baumann, who recently was
named a state finalist for the Presidential
Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Nelson hopes to
provide them with cutting-edge techniques used in the field of molecular cell biology and the biomedical sciences, giving them
insight into what it might be like to not just study at MTSU but also be
a scientist.
“It is really
important to get a sense of how organisms operate at the level of individual
cells and how these cells change over time,” he said. “One of the best tools to
do that is live cell microscopy, where we use a variety of different
fluorescent dyes to observe processes occurring in real time in living cells.”
The six students — five of whom are in the Blackman Collegiate Academy and its
partnership with MTSU — include rising seniors Rija Asin, Kaeli Dorsey,
Katie Hartman, William Logan, Sara O’Brien
and Hassan Syed.
Nelson provided a 22-page booklet in advance, offering an
introduction, schedule, full details of four research activities for the week
and a campus map.
While they may have entered the MTSU Science Building in awe of the 250,000-square-foot facility and its
labs and apprehensive because of the deep research, Nelson alleviated any
nervousness with his low-key demeanor.
“At first it was overwhelming and scary, seeing and hearing
all the terminology David used and all the advanced equipment,” Syed, 17, said.
“We learned a lot about working in a lab and getting more experience with the
equipment.”
Dorsey, 17, said it felt “weird going from a high school lab
to this. … And the Science Building is really impressive.”
By Monday afternoon, they were actively working in the lab.
Tuesday, afternoon, they transitioned to the fluorescence microscopes to
“provide a good chance to interact with some of our most advanced research
tools and, hopefully, generate some really nice fluorescence images of cells,”
Nelson said.
Dorsey, who said Nelson has been great at explaining
everything, saw cervical cancer cells through a microscope, adding she “didn’t
learn how deep and complex cells were” until entering the MTSU lab.
“Cells give you a perspective of how real research is done
on a more advanced way than a high school lab,” Syed said. “Now that the
experience has started, I know there will be more to come the rest of the week.
I have been waiting to come here for a while.”
While at MTSU,
there will be opportunities for facility tours and that of the broader campus,
and to meet other biology faculty, current undergraduate and graduate students
and admissions staff.
Dorsey came on a Blackman Collegiate Academy visit to MTSU
in March, touring the University Honors College and hearing about the world of
concrete from Heather Brown, the director of the School of Concrete and
Construction Management.
“I have been thinking about attending MTSU,” she said.
“There is such a high standard for Honors College kids. And the things they do
in the concrete building are amazing.”
Syed admits MTSU was not on his college choice radar. Now it
is.
“Honestly, after I came here and he (Nelson) told me about
the Science Building, now it is one of my options.”
To learn more about the various biology programs, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/programs/biology/.
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