Young students extract DNA during Open Lab

Lab bench prepped for Open Lab The Open Lab experience involved extracting DNA from strawberries, and using paints to illustrate the experience. Shanta Hinton Lab

Bright pink test-tube holder Professor Hinton's choice of lab materials adds cheer for biologists of all ages. Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab orientation Open Lab participants first met in the conference room for orientation Shanta Hinton Lab

New faces for Open Lab At the start students were quiet in the new setting Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab orientation cont. Dr. Hinton worked to relax the students, and their parents. Shanta Hinton Lab

Liz Allison welcomes Open Lab W&M Biology Department Chair Dr. Liz Allison spoke briefly to the Open Lab group Shanta Hinton Lab

W&M biologists establish a fun tone W&M Biology Department Chair Dr. Liz Allison spoke briefly to the Open Lab group Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab orientation cont. W&M students and children begin to make friends Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab orientation cont. Students learn why DNA matters to them Shanta Hinton Lab

Introducing DNA at Open Lab Questions were encouraged and students quickly embraced the topic. Shanta Hinton Lab

DNA in a strawberry Students were introduced to nucleotides using the strawberry as a model Shanta Hinton Lab

Preparing for the laboratory Lab coats were supplied as an introduction to lab protocol and safety. Shanta Hinton Lab

Preparing for the laboratory, cont. Enough lab coats for everyone! Shanta Hinton Lab

Walking to the lab, cont. At first some students appeared apprehensive traveling the halls of the science building Shanta Hinton Lab

Walking to the lab, cont. Open Lab's goal was to introduce parents to the process as well as the students Shanta Hinton Lab

In the laboratory Young students are introduced to the lab environment while undergraduate assistants look on. Shanta Hinton Lab

In the laboratory, cont. Dr. Hinton's multi-colored choice in lab materials enliven the workbench. Shanta Hinton Lab

In the laboratory, cont. Soon apprenhension gave way to engagement in the lab. Shanta Hinton Lab

Looking through the florescent microscope Soon apprenhension gave way to engagement in the lab. Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab petri dish illuminated Soon apprenhension gave way to engagement in the lab. Shanta Hinton Lab

Student looking through microscope Soon apprenhension gave way to engagement in the lab. Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab, cont. Students wear safety glasses in keeping with good lab protocol. Shanta Hinton Lab

Parent looking through microscope Open Lab introduces both students and parents to the subject and environment of science research Shanta Hinton Lab

William and Mary undergraduates Open Lab provided teaching experience for current undergraduate students Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab, cont. Building relationships between young and mature students Shanta Hinton Lab

DNA from strawberries! Building relationships between young and mature students Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab, cont. Student begins the process to extract DNA from a strawberry Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab, cont. Strawberries undergoing DNA extraction Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab, cont. DNA extraction Shanta Hinton Lab

Hampton University student helps at Open Lab DNA extraction Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab, cont. After DNA extraction, students report by painting about their experience Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab report medium Lab reports were made with colorful paints Shanta Hinton Lab

Clean up needed in the DNA Lab Lab reports were made with colorful paints Shanta Hinton Lab

Making ice cream with science After lab, refreshments included home-made ice cream using liquid nitrogen. Shanta Hinton Lab

Ice Cream Preparation An Open Lab student, attired in safety gear, makes ice cream using liquid nitrogen. Shanta Hinton Lab

Dr. Shanta Hinton Dr. Shanta Hinton oversees a student making ice cream with liquid nitrogen Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab refreshments Strawberry and peach ice cream home-made at the Open Lab Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab refreshments Extreme safety gear for the important work of stirring ice cream Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab refreshments A parent talks to Biology Dept. chair Liz Allison, next to Shanta Hinton, Open Lab director. Shanta Hinton Lab

Open Lab participants Group photo of some students (from pre-school to graduate), parents, and faculty partipating in Open Lab Shanta Hinton Lab

Goodbyes At the end of Open Lab, new friends say goodbye. Shanta Hinton Lab

by Beth Chambers | August 17, 2012

Young participant in Open Lab This summer Assistant Professor of Biology Shantá Hinton organized an outreach program entitled Open Lab that brought students of all ages into the world of DNA extraction. Young children and their parents were introduced to the world of biological science using fun yet advanced laboratory techniques.

The project aimed to help students realize that anyone can be a scientist if they understand the concepts, follow protocols, and bring their curiosity and creativity into the laboratory. Undergraduate students enjoyed the teaching experience, and the students enjoyed everything from the extraction process, viewing cells in the microscope, and of course eating ice-cream made on the spot using liquid nitrogen.

View the photos above to see Dr. Hinton's Open Lab in action.