Upper School Science Teacher Stephanie Matteson’s Independent Research class is expanding its work beyond the classroom and laboratory. “The class had the opportunity to visit the Danforth Plant Science Center to tour the facility and speak with one of the Principal Investigators whose lab produces research related to one of our research projects,” said Matteson. “Students were able to see the laboratory and ask questions specifically related to their research projects, in addition to witnessing the inner workings of a non-profit research facility.”
Sanjana Gandhi ’25 and Arjun Puri ’25 seized the opportunity. “Our experience working with the Danforth Plant Science Center has been incredibly rewarding and challenging. We began working with the lab of Dr. R. Keith Slotkin in November, participating in a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) testing the efficacy of transposable elements in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. We submitted to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in February, and we learned many valuable lessons from the experience. We have learned how to effectively maintain sterile technique while working in a laboratory space. Although we didn’t have the results we were hoping for, we carefully documented our process, and we hope that our results will still be useful to Dr. Slotkin’s lab as he investigates heat resistance in plants.
“Last week, we visited Dr. Slotkin’s lab with Ms. Matteson and Ms. Tiffany Languish, who works closely with Dr. Slotkin. Everyone at Danforth was extremely welcoming, and we saw the interior of Dr. Slotkin’s research-grade laboratory as well as some of the work that is being conducted by other PIs and undergraduate investigators at Danforth. In particular, we enjoyed getting to see a laminar flow hood, an advanced piece of technology that allows for increased sterilization of air in the laboratory. We were also extremely impressed by the diversity of Danforth, where in the main auditorium, we saw over 30 different countries’ flags posted, each representing an individual researcher. Altogether, our experience at Danforth was very eye-opening, and we are extremely grateful to everyone who helped make it possible!”
Matteson confirmed their experience. “Overall, we had a wonderful morning at Danforth, and are grateful to have strong community partners to collaborate in science with,” she said. Meanwhile, her students remain inspired to keep working on their own projects back in the STEM building labs.
Many thanks to Danforth Plant Science Center for their continued partnership, and good luck with your continued studies, Arjun and Sanjana!