Today, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation welcomed students, teachers, and parents from the Putnam City School District for the 21st annual “Putnam City Junior Scientist Day.” Students spent the day in the laboratory, learning about science firsthand from the researchers at OMRF. Teachers and parents attended lectures from Drs. Jordan Tang and Michael Dresser. A total of 26 students from 24 schools participated in Junior Scientist Day.
OMRF has had a unique relationship with the Putnam City School District for 25 years. In 1975, Lois Thomas, a teacher, began a drive to raise money for cancer research when then-Putnam City Superintendent Leo Mayfield was diagnosed with cancer. The money has always supported ongoing cancer research at OMRF. In 1995, Putnam City School District was honored for raising $1 million. Between 1997 – 1999, donations from the students helped purchase a confocal microscope.
Kaylan Lawson, a student at Putnam City North High School, called the experience an eye-opener. “I had no idea what to expect,” she said. “After spending the day at OMRF, I have been introduced to many different aspects of science – areas I didn’t even know existed!” Lawson spent the morning observing the protein crystallography laboratory with X. Cai Zhang, Ph.D.
J. Donald Capra M.D., President of OMRF, addressed the students in two different sessions. “You are an inspiration to the community,” he said. “The fact that students have worked to raise over one million dollars for cancer research is incredible. Yet you have chosen to take this even further by raising another million in just five years to establish a chair in cancer research. This would be the first type of chairmanship in Oklahoma, and likely the first of its kind in the country.”
As part of OMRF’s Combined Campaign, Putnam City School District has pledged to raise another $1 million in 5 — 6years. The money raised will establish a Chair in Cancer Research that will be named for Putnam City.
“It is a joy to see the enthusiasm the students bring to learning and to their fundraising activities. I have a pre-K grandchild in the PCSD and I feel he is very fortunate when I see the qualities of teachers who bring their students to the Junior Scientists Day,” said Vernon Cook, Associate Vice President for Development. Cook is also the liaison between OMRF and the Putnam City Cancer Drive.
Ann Blatt, an anatomy and physiology teacher from Putnam City North High School noted that today’s experience had left a lasting impression on both the students and teachers. “Today’s technology makes science more visual and helps everyone understand technical, complicated research. OMRF has made science available and interesting to these students and teachers alike.”
