Putnam City Students Become Junior Scientists For A Day

Oklahoma City, OK – On March 27th and 28th, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation welcomed students, teachers, and parents from the Putnam City School District for the 22nd annual “Putnam City Junior Scientist Day.” Elementary students visited OMRF on Tuesday, March 27th with the middle school and high school students participating in Junior Scientist Day on the 28th.

Students spent the day in the laboratory, learning about science firsthand from the researchers at OMRF. For example, some students observed a process called “DNA electrophoresis,” others learned about lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and another group purified chemical compounds. Teachers and parents met with different scientists and toured the laboratories at OMRF.

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.”

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, and today donations total more than $1.5 million. Between 1997-1999, donations from the students helped purchase a confocal microscope, a cutting-edge piece of equipment used for state-of-the-art imaging.

As part of OMRF’s Combined Campaign, Putnam City School District has pledged to raise another $1 million in 5-6 years. 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,” said Vernon Cook, Associate Vice President for Development. Cook is also the liaison between OMRF and the Putnam City Cancer Drive.

A complete list of schools, students, and teachers is attached.

Participants in OMRF’s Junior Scientist Day
March 27-28, 2001