Life Science Explorers

About the program

A hands-on research experience for middle school students over the age of 12. Over 12 sessions students will complete an original research workflow, using DNA as a tool to identify moss species. Alongside this work participants will complete a curriculum covering molecular biology, ecology and exploration of life science careers.

Participants will be supported by a team of volunteer instructors including multiple professional biologists, keen to share their knowledge and skills to support young scientists.

We are recruiting for our fall cohort (see below) - please apply.

We will run more cohorts next year if you cannot join us this Fall. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram to keep up to date.

Fall cohort Info Session - Sept 14th 4 - 5 PM

Held over zoom. Further details and sign up Link - https://www.meetup.com/soundbio/events/303344764/

Questions?

Email lifescienceexplorers@sound.bio

Program dates - Fall 2024

All sessions will be at SoundBio Lab in Seattle’s University District. Sessions all connect to make one cohesive experience so it is best for students to attend all sessions.

The lab sessions will be for students only. The Jamboree will be open to parents, guardians, friends and supporters. Students will share what they learned and the results of their research.

  • Mon Oct 14 4:30PM - 6:30 PM

  • Wed Oct 16 4:30PM - 6:30 PM

  • Mon Oct 21 4:30PM - 6:30 PM

  • Wed Oct 23 4:30PM - 6:30 PM

  • Mon Oct 28 4:30PM - 6:30 PM

  • Wed Oct 30 4:30PM - 6:30 PM

  • Mon Nov 4 4:30PM - 6:30 PM

  • Wed Nov 6 4:30PM - 6:30 PM

  • Tues Nov 12 4:30PM - 6:30 PM (Pushed to Tuesday for Veterans Day)

  • Wed Nov 13 4:30PM - 6:30 PM

  • Mon Nov 18 4:30PM - 6:30 PM

  • Wed Nov 20 4:30PM - 6:30 PM - Including Jamboree (parents invited)

Application process and form

The maximum cohort size is 8 students, because our lab is small. Applications will be screened to ensure that students meet the eligibility criteria (aged 12 - 14), and priority will be given to:

  • Students those who can attend all sessions of the program.

  • Students from groups marginalized in STEM

  • Then places will be offered in the order that applications were received.

Applications will be reviewed and then awarded in the order that they were received.

—> LINK TO APPLICATION FORM

COST

This program will be offered completely free in 2024 thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, including the Society for Science STEM Action Grant. We are still preparing the application process and will update this page as we do so.

We ask everyone who is able to set up a recurring donation of any amount. We are a community powered organization, with only 1 staff member. Our volunteers donate almost $200, 000 of their time per year to deliver cutting edge science education and research experiences. All donations are put to immediate effect to ensure that we can create new programs and remove barriers to participation in science. Donations are not in any way tied to application screening for this program.

PAST COHORTS - Summer 2024

Our pilot run of Life Science Explorers, SoundBio’s new day camp for middle schoolers, wrapped up last week, and we are thrilled to announce it was a smashing success! During our two week program, five students between the ages of 12 and 14 spent a cumulative 18 hours in the lab sequencing moss samples they collected from their local ecosystems. Students first gained a foundation in the basics of DNA and the Central Dogma of Biology, then gained hands-on lab experience as they learned about — and executed! — protocols including PCR and gel electrophoresis. Students also learned microscopy skills as they constructed and used their own Foldscopes to observe their specimens, and learned about the critical role mosses play in Pacific Northwest ecosystems as they made their very own moss terrariums. The program culminated in the LSE Jamboree, where the students presented to their friends and families about the work they did and what they learned. We were blown away by the enthusiasm and tenacity of the first LSE cohort, and can’t wait to run the camp again in the Fall (this time as an after-school program)!


Info session REcording

—> View the recording here

The info session for our Summer 2024 cohort was on June 1 2024

Young scientists working in our lab space in Seattle’s University District