Students gain hands-on experience with actual laboratory techniques used by researchers worldwide, taught by a PhD-level instructor in Penn's undergraduate teaching labs.
The Future Scientists: Biology Edition program offers middle school students a hands-on immersion into a molecular biology lab environment. Participants will engage in supervised experiments to gain practical experience with common tools and experimental techniques used in molecular biology research. Key techniques covered include DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, light microscopy, ELISA, and sterile cell culture. Students will be taught in undergraduate teaching labs by a PhD-level instructor and will have the opportunity to meet Penn researchers and tour Penn laboratories. The program aims to develop scientific techniques such as pipetting, preparing cell cultures, and working with reagents, providing a foundational understanding of laboratory practices.
Beyond the lab work, students will participate in follow-up Q&A sessions with Penn researchers, offering insights into scientific careers and current research. Daily lunch in a University dining hall provides a taste of university life. Upon completion, students receive a lab coat to keep and a Certificate of Completion, recognizing their engagement and acquired skills. This program is ideal for current 7th or 8th-grade students with a strong interest in science and a desire to explore molecular biology through experiential learning.
A typical day involves hands-on lab experiments in an undergraduate teaching lab, learning and practicing scientific techniques, and eating lunch in a University dining hall.
This program is best for current 7th or 8th-grade students in the 2025-2026 academic year who are interested in science and want to experience a molecular biology lab firsthand.
Leidy Labs, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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