Science education doesn’t get much more “real world” than a day at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
That was the experience of 33 elementary, middle and high school students from Putnam City Schools during OMRF’s annual Junior Scientist Day. Outfitted with goggles and lab coats, the science-minded students spent time Friday and Monday working with OMRF scientists in laboratories.
For 30 years, OMRF has opened its doors to Putnam City students as a small thank you for the tremendous financial support the district has shown in the pursuit of medical advances. Since the 1970s, students, parents and teachers in the Putnam City School District have worked year-round to raise more than $2.6 million for cancer research at OMRF, including a $1.5 million endowed chair.
Dr. Linda Thompson, whose work has yielded breakthroughs in predicting breast cancer, holds the Putnam City Schools Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research.
“Because it’s an endowment, it’s perpetual,” she said. “It doesn’t just go to buy a piece of equipment that might be obsolete in a few years—it keeps giving forever.”
The principal amount is never touched, but the dividends go to fund Thompson’s research and give her lab a stable source of money that’s not affected by the ups and downs in the economy, she said. That stability and continuity are vital to the work she’s done and the discoveries she continues to make.
“It’s so great to have these kids come in, so excited, and get a bird’s eye view of what laboratory work is really like,” she said. “Science classes are important, obviously, but the chance to ask questions, one-on-one with a researcher or scientist, is really unique.”
Students were able to take and examine blood samples, sort DNA and work with C. elegans—tiny worms used by many scientists to examine differences in genes.
Putnam City West High School student Jordan Jones prepared a restriction digestion alongside lab technician Michelle Joachims and said the experience gave him a better understanding of what real research is all about.
“The first thing I learned is how quickly scientists have to move to get things done,” he said.
Aditi Jalla, who attends Putnam City North High School, said it was a real change from lab classes in school.
“In classes, we just did lab work to look at it,” she said. “Here, it’s real. This is looking for ways to stop cancer.”
Overholser Elementary student Cassidy Guinn was so excited she brought her camera to take pictures of the lab equipment she used.
Putnam City Schools communications director Steve Lindley said the district values the unique partnership with OMRF.
“For 33 years Putnam City has been working with OMRF to battle cancer, and we’re proud to have raised more than $2.6 million since our efforts began,” he said. “Our cancer fund drive has been a chance for students to share in fighting a disease that has almost surely touched the lives of people they know and love. Countless thousands of Putnam City students have learned how valuable their energies and resources can be in helping others. Everything about our partnership with OMRF is right. The partnership is good for our community and good for students.”
OMRF President Dr. Stephen Prescott said that while much has changed since the partnership with Putnam City began, it’s gratifying to know they continue to support the work done at OMRF and continue their commitment to find a cure for cancer.
“Hopefully, spending a day here will give these gifted students a better idea what we do and inspire them to become the next generation of researchers and scientists,” Prescott said. “We cannot thank them enough for their dedication, hard work and continued belief that a cure is out there.”
About OMRF
OMRF (omrf.org) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human disease. Chartered in 1946, its scientists focus on such critical research areas as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus and cardiovascular disease.
