We're all scientists.... (driving the coast)
- Jenna Landsittel
- Jan 7, 2018
- 2 min read
Today started with waking up in Riverside yet again. I made a yummy waffle to get the day started, then we headed to UCR to process our field samples we collected from Granite Mountain yesterday.
Today's lab was an amazing experience. I learned more in today's lab than I have in all the undergrad labs I have participated in thus far in my college career. Why is this? I had to work alone and actively participate and learn the processes of the lab. I had to learn WHY certain steps were done in the lab. I did not sit and wait until someone would do all the steps for the group so we could get out of lab early. It was unlike any other experience I have ever had. In that moment, I understood the importance of exposing high school students to real science: real labs.
In all the labs I have participated in, I have not had my own work station complete with all the necessary equipment (scales, pipets, tubes). I had never put tubes into a centrifuge, only watched it be done by a TA. So going into the lab, I was sort of intimidated by the advancement of this lab because it was unfamiliar to me (even though I am in upper level biology classes at Ole Miss). But through doing the whole 3 hour lab alone, with encouragement from Erik and classmates, I gained confidence that I can complete a lab because I know how to do everything, I am just unfamiliar because of my past experiences.
After lunch, we got back on the road: headed to Monterey! First stop In-N-Out...
On the way to Monterey, we drove through the most beautiful mountains and hills. What a sight! See you tomorrow, xoxo.
תגובות