Summer School

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Summer Research Courses (non-credit)

Research Area	Course Code	Cost
Introduction to Biotech Research	TJA 1600	$1,250
Introduction to Aquatics Research	TJA 1601	$1,000

Course Descriptions

Introduction to Aquatics Research

Goals/ Description

Designed for students interested in completing a research project in time to enter one of the national competitions or the school science fair, this noncredit aquatic research class will provide an opportunity to begin experimentation and data collection. Students will become familiar with aquaculture methods for algae and invertebrates such as oysters, crustaceans, and jellyfish. Experiments will be designed by the students after a brief but thorough literature search as well as lab and field experiences. Students may work in teams of 2 or 3 or as individuals.
As an integral part of the course, students will learn to use a variety of protocols and instruments as needed to conduct their studies in both the lab and the field. This may include aquarium set up, media development, cell counting, use of refractometers/hydrometers, water quality tests, a photomultiplier tube (for bioluminescence measurements) and marine biotechnology. Field methods may include trawling, seining, fishing, and plankton tows, and will require expeditions to freshwater streams as well as the Chesapeake Bay tributaries. There will be opportunities to connect with university, museum, and NASA oceanographers. Students will be required to maintain a notebook and develop a research proposal. Please note: Field studies are contingent upon FCPS approval.

Dates

Monday, July 30 – Friday, August 10 (including a possible overnight trip the week-end of Aug. 4).
There will be an additional meet and greet in late June which will be done electronically so that messages, articles, and important information can be shared and archived for all participants.

Hours

Regular summer school hours, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily (with possible overnight trip)

Transportation Costs

$110

Prerequisites

Biology
Chemistry
Priority is given to rising seniors. Juniors considered if there is availability.

Credit

This is a non-credit course. There are no tests. No grade appears on your transcript.

Tuition

$1,000

Application

Download the application here (click this text, it is a link).
Continuous enrollment until each session is full with priority based on experience.

Questions?
Please direct questions regarding this specific lab to Ms. Wu (lisa.wu@fcps.edu) or Dr. Stickler (shawn.stickler@fcps.edu)

Introduction to Biotech Research

Goals

A noncredit biotechnology research course designed for students interested in completing a research project in time to enter one of the national competitions or the school science fair, complete an IB Extended Essay, or extend the period for collection of data for a planned research project. Students may use cancer cell cultures (human, mouse, or rat), fruit flies, C. elegant, algae or bacteria as the subjects of their studies. They may apply an experimental variable to those organisms as indicated by their experimental design or may participate in the director’s ongoing research in gene regulation. Experiments will be designed by the students after a brief but thorough literature search. Other research options will be considered if students have definite experimental designs in mind. Students may work in teams of 2 or 3 or as individuals.
As an integral part of the course, students will learn to use a variety of protocols and instruments as needed to conduct their studies including the DNA sequencer, PCR and RTPCR, protein quantification and characterization, fluorescence microscope, CO2 incubator, automated cell counter, cell viability and assay techniques, the microplate reader/spectrofluorometer, laminar flow hood, and sterile technique. Students will be required to maintain a laboratory notebook, write a research proposal and a final report. If time permits, students will learn/review statistical analysis of biological data and apply those methods to the analysis of their data.
The level of research accomplished in the course will depend on the knowledge, skills, and abilities that the student brings to the course.

Supply Needs

Cell cultures, culture medium, medium additives, antibiotics, various biochemicals, pipettes, pipette tips, culture flasks and culture tubes. Assay kits, fruit flies, agar, drosophila medium, nematode medium, gel electrophoresis materials, sequencing kits and RTPCR kits.