MOBILE SCIENCE LAB PROJECT
Creating the Connection Between Classrooms and Health Care Careers
IN THE BEGINNING
Many years ago, a group consisting of business and education representatives began
exploring solutions to the lack of access to scientific technology in the public school
system. Stakeholders included Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC), Rochester Area
Math Science Partnership (RAMSP), Mayo Clinic, Center of Integrated Health Science
Education and Practice (CIHSEP), Mankato West High School, Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), Winona State University (WSU), South Central
Service Cooperative (SCSC), Hormel Foods Corporation, Hormel Institute, Medical
Innovations International, Minnesota State University Mankato, Greater Mankato
Economic Development Corporation, Lifescience Alley, Rochester Community and
Technical College (RCTC), Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF),
Workforce Development Incorporated (WDI), and the Minnesota Department of
Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Two major themes were identified: 1) across the country there were examples of
highly successful mobile science lab initiatives that were resulting in increased
student achievement in the STEM disciplines; and 2) a local survey of over 100
educators determined that there was a desire to have access to leading-edge
technology and to partner with industry to enhance the classroom experience.
AT THE SAME TIME …
The Mayo Clinic was looking for ways to expand their Educator Academy program.
Developed in the 1990’s based on feedback from Rochester Area Math Science
Partnership members, these one-week courses for high school science teachers are
conducted on the Mayo Clinic campus and showcase the latest science
advancements, technologies, and techniques with the goal of expanding molecular
biology and genomics in high school classrooms. Topics include:
• BioRad pGLO System
• Mitochondrial DNA Purification
• Subcloning
• DNA Sequencing
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
Recently, the program has branched out to include agriculture educators as well. This
course uses modern molecular biology techniques to analyze food products and crops
to see if they use genetically modified crops. This includes
• DNA Extraction
• Gel Electrophoresis and Analysis
In addition, the class meets four times during the school year to encourage teacher-toteacher interactions and foster long-term instructional development. Mayo provides all
materials and covers all costs for the training program, including graduate credits.
A PARTNERSHIP WAS BORN
TAKING THE NEXT STEP
In order to properly support the Educator Academies, participating teachers needed
access to the equipment and supplies to replicate the experiments in their
classrooms for their students.
The best way to do this was to develop a traveling trailer with scientific equipment and
consumable supplies on-board for teachers to borrow for use in the classroom.
Thanks to a $75,000 grant from HealthForce Minnesota, we launched the program in
January of 2009.
GOALS OF THE ORIGINAL PROJECT
• Provide eligible high schools with all the science and lab equipment necessary for
classroom laboratory activities based on their Educator Academy experience.
• Support future schools that have a teacher participate in the program
(approximately, 27 additional teachers per year).
• Increase excitement for STEM education by impacting students directly with a
program designed to enhance their science education programs.
• Ensure that area educators have up-to-date knowledge related to the latest and
greatest science techniques and research.
• Create an ongoing cohort of educators that will continue to share and learn from
their participation long after formal activities are concluded.
THE MOBILE SCIENCE LAB
SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT
FIRST LAB UNVEILED AT STEM SUMMIT 09
THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
THE FIRST LAB … ITS IMPACT
2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR
• 421 students were exposed to the Mobile Science Lab.
• It visited 7 districts during that winter and spring.
2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR
• 783 students were exposed during the 2009-2010 school year.
• It visited 16 districts and was completely booked, except for Thanksgiving and
Christmas breaks.
• Teachers gave us tremendous feedback.
BUT …
It became obvious that one trailer was not going to meet demand in the region and
reach as many students as possible, so we began a funding campaign to develop and
deploy a second Mobile Science Lab.
EXPANDED GOALS OF THE PROJECT
• Provide eligible high schools with all the science and lab equipment necessary for
classroom laboratory activities based on their Educator Academy experience.
• Support future schools that have a teacher participate in the program
• Increase excitement for STEM education by impacting students directly with a
program designed to enhance their science education programs.
• Ensure that area educators have up-to-date knowledge related to the latest and
greatest science techniques and research.
• Create an ongoing cohort of educators that will continue to share and learn from
their participation long after formal activities are concluded.
• Ensure that we can provide the needed level of support for the current program
and meet district demand.
• Allow us to add equipment and supplies to support recent program expansion,
which includes delivery of newly developed agricultural curriculum.
INTRODUCING … MOBILE SCIENCE LAB II
REGIONAL OUTREACH TO DATE
110 Teachers Trained
39 District Visits
1,260 Students Impacted … PLUS …
2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR
Goodhue – 14 students
Wabasha-Kellogg – 60 students
Schaeffer Academy – 33 students
Lanesboro
Winona
Cochrane-Fountain City
Kingsland
Byron
Fillmore Central
Glenville-Emmons
Cannon Falls
Triton
Medford
Fillmore Central
Red Wing
Byron
Plus there are still rental periods available,
so many more teachers will schedule the
trailer for their classrooms before the end
of the school year!
TEACHER TESTIMONIALS
"A parent contacted me and told me how excited his student was about doing
molecular labs and using the cool equipment." – Darrin Ellsworth, Fillmore Central
“Thank you for all of your efforts in getting the trailer. Without your efforts, my
students would never have had the opportunity to use the equipment included in the
trailer.” – Kristal Brogan, Kingsland
“The technology and advanced equipment allowed students access to supplies and
knowledge not normally available at the high school level. This is a wonderful
opportunity for my students. It was a learning experience that gave my students a
taste of what is emerging in science and education. Thank you for this chance to
provide them with an experience that few students have.” – Sandy Bussian, Winona
"I can't say enough how great it is that the funding and work to put this resource
together has been done. I think this is a great model for getting new technology into
our high schools." - Tony McGee, Wabasha-Kellogg
STUDENT SURVEY RESULTS
• 77% indicated that science will play an important role in their future.
• 26% said that they are considering pursuing a health science career (higher
than any other option in any other field).
• 91% indicated that the experience personally impacted them in a positive way
(by increasing engagement in their learning, teaching them new skills, and/or
increasing awareness of scientific careers).
Students reported that using the Mobile Science Lab “changed my opinion of
science and biology,” “proved that science is relevant to my life,” “made me curious
of other applications of what we worked with,” “got me excited about science,”
“helped me learn that I'm good at science,” and “really inspired me.”
LOTS OF PUBLICITY
Wabasha County Herald
Dodge Center Star Record
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Questions About the
Educator Academies
Scheduling a Loan
About the Project and
Funding Partners
Contact Ross Aleff
aleff.ross@mayo.edu
507-266-0181
Contact Dick Riley
driley@ssc.coop
507-281-6666
Amy Grover
agrover@ssc.coop
507-281-6693