New Drosophila lines described at the third Stan-X Interscholastic Conference: Going Global
The Stan-X program hosted its third interscholastic science conference this spring, with presentations by 54 students and teachers. Students presented their research findings from Stan-X based curricula established at these schools in a scintillating afternoon filled with discussion about results, interpretation and new curricular offerings from Stan-X. The conference was also a celebration of completed coursework and research for students and teachers in the face of difficulties posed by COVID, including intermittent school closings and distance teaching/learning.
Participants at this conference represented schools from around the globe including: The Lawrenceville School (NJ, USA), Commack High School (NY, USA), Lowell High School (CA, USA), Phillips Exeter Academy (NH, USA), Haileybury School (UK), Dalton School (NY, USA), American School in Japan (Tokyo, Japan), Latin School (IL, USA), Loyola Marymount University (CA, USA) and Stanford University (CA, USA).
Students presented data and interpretation of their experiments characterizing new fruit fly strains generated over the past year by our Stan-X partner schools. These included presentations about genomic insertion location of the SX-4 enhancer trap element, neighboring gene characterization, and unique patterns of LexA-dependent gene expression in multiple new fruit fly strains. Presentations included shared data from productive collaborations between schools, including molecular studies of the genomic location of enhancer trap elements. The sessions were moderated by Dr. Lutz Kockel (Stanford) and teachers and students from participating Stan-X schools. For nearly all students this was the first experience they had in publically presenting and discussing primary science data. So, like in prior years, the conference replicated important elements of a scientific meeting. This included the careful planning of data presentation and slides, practice talks, and the management of the natural nervous energy accompanying public speaking. The excitement and high spirits during the afternoon were palpable, despite the virtual setting of the conference this year.
Student Houston Kilby summarized her experience in the Research Molecular Genetics course at Lawrenceville: "RMG was a great experience because everything we learned and all the high level concepts we studied were rooted in things we were really doing in the lab. We had such a great time getting to see how our research really applied to the world of science, and got a feel for what it was like to do professional level research. I loved this class, and I recommend it to everyone who is even remotely interested in science!"
Presentation and discussion of a new LexA enhancer-trap strain at the 2021 conference, by attendees from Lawrenceville, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Hertfordshire, UK.
Dr. Kockel commented: “This interscholastic conference also helps foster the sense in students and teachers that they are truly connected to a larger community of science, through a network of experimental genetics and biology, and through the data and new fly strains they have generated.”
Students from Phillips Exeter Academy presented their findings from a new Stan-X course begun this past spring with instructors Anne Rankin, Townley Chisholm and Stanford scientist, Dr. Sangbin Park. This new course incorporates CRISPR-based gene editing in living flies to generate new LexA fly strains. Participating Exeter students described the course protocols and successful outcomes from gene editing strategies using CRISPR/Cas9 gene in flies, setting the stage for offering this exciting, new course to other Stan-X partner schools.
Exeter student Jason Wang summarized his experience with this new course: “Performing the new CRISPR-based conversion protocol was a deeply interesting, always engaging, and ultimately rewarding endeavor. Seeing genetics concepts come to life in our flies highlighted the tangibility and applicability of our project, and I am excited to see what the future holds for this course."
Ms. Rankin noted: “Through the Stan-X program I spend a portion of my time doing exactly what I ask my students to do - get far outside my comfort zone via exposure to new material, experiences and people. By becoming a learner shoulder to shoulder with my students [and colleagues], I authentically model the characteristics I hope to instill - humility, empathy, inquisitiveness, openness, adaptability and continual growth.”
The afternoon ended with discussions of further studies to be performed in summertime internships and collaborations, and a lively interactions focused on the intent to have an in-person Stan-X student conference in the future.
For information about Stan-X and the 2022 Stan-X Interscholastic Science Conference, please contact Dr. Lutz Kockel, lkockel@stanford.edu