My students need 18 lab coats so they can conduct experiments in a safe manner and have an authentic laboratory experience dressed like they would be in a "real" lab.
I am creating a molecular biology/ biotechnology class to educate students about the incredible advances in DNA technology as well as show them how long biotechnology has been around (we can't brew beer, but we can make root beer!)
The course is an upper-level elective for high school juniors and seniors, with a few advanced sophomores.
The school population is diverse; our district covers 100 square miles and includes suburban neighborhoods, rural farms, and urban dwellings as well. The students are incredibly enthusiastic about the course because they have only received a brief overview on a few of the topics in their required biology course. They hear about all these amazing things on the news, and now they get to experience it for themselves!
Most of the students in my class plan to continue their education after high school through technical college or a 4-year university.
My Project
We will wear the lab coats during every lab. Most importantly, this protects the students from potentially hazardous materials that we are working with. For example, in order to view DNA, the best chemical to use can also mutate a students' DNA. A lab coat will help protect them from this exposure. Additionally, most "real" labs, and many college/ university labs require lab coats for the same safety reasons. I'd like to challenge my students to think like advanced scientists, so let's help them dress the part!
I'm even more in favor of recycling; if a hospital, clinic, lab, etc. has old coats to get rid of, I'd love those rather than these new ones! I'm new to donorschoose and don't have enough credit to make my request solely for recycled lab coats!
Safety is the utmost importance.
Without lab coats for protection, there are some labs I will not be able to do. Without experiencing those labs, the students will not get a true, authentic introduction to biotechnology. For some, this may be their only exposure to the topic until they or a family member receive a medical diagnosis. I want them to be able to rely on the knowledge they gained in class to make an informed decision.
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