BioMobile Discovery Lab Programs | UVM Cancer Center | The University of Vermont(title)

The BioMobile Discovery Lab is a mobile lab outfitted with all the equipment needed for students in rural schools to conduct a cell biology experiment using microscopy techniques.
The BioMobile Discovery Lab can be transported to High Schools, Middle Schools, Elementary Schools, and Community Events.

Program Offerings

High Schools

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Interior rendering of the mobile lab features lab equipment, microscopes, and lap tops.

Rural high school biology-related classrooms can participate in a month-long experiential research program focused on understanding the process of cell division.  

The BioMobile Research Program for high school students includes: 

  • A 2-day professional development event for educators (including hands-on research experience) 

  • A hands-on research experience for students 

  • An optional virtual mentoring program pairing high-school students with a Cancer Center trainee

Curriculum 

Our curriculum module covers the entire scientific process including background research, hypothesis generation, a capstone hands-on research experience in the mobile laboratory, data analysis, and dissemination of findings. Please email crtec@med.uvm.edu for details of the individual curriculum components. The cell biology curriculum module is deployed over a five-week period, incorporating curriculum components into existing lessons to avoid disruption of normal class requirements. 

Materials

All materials will be available via the program website and a google classroom page. Rural educators will be provided a detailed lesson plan for the cell biology curriculum module to ensure successful implementation. 

For inquiries, please email crtec@med.uvm.edu. 

Middle Schools

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Upon request, the BioMobile Discovery Lab will visit rural middle schools for students to experience research demos using the equipment in the mobile laboratory. The mobile laboratory also travels with “Foldscopes” which are origami microscopes that students can assemble themselves and compare to the samples they see in the mobile lab equipment. 

For inquiries, please email crtec@med.uvm.edu

Elementary Schools

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The BioMobile Discovery Lab will visit elementary schools upon request. Elementary students can watch demos of the laboratory equipment in use. The mobile laboratory is also equipped with “Foldscopes” which are essentially origami microscopes that students can assemble themselves and compare to the samples they see in the mobile lab equipment. 

For inquiries, please email crtec@med.uvm.edu

Community Events

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The BioMobile Discovery Lab will visit community events upon request to demo laboratory equipment and talk to community members about the importance of scientific research. 

For inquiries, please email crtec@med.uvm.edu