How do scientists develop new therapies for cancer? The goal of this project is for students to brainstorm new ways to treat cancer. Students will conduct their own guided research on the biology of cancer and create a written or oral presentation about a new way to treat cancer. Along the way, students will learn the core principles of molecular and cellular biology, develop skills in critical thinking and problem solving, learn to design rigorous experiments, and be challenged to think creatively about real-world scientific problems. This project will lay strong foundations to prepare students for college-level biology/pre-med courses, as well as laboratory research in the life sciences.

Project 1: How to Cure Cancer

Did you know that there are many ways for cells to die? Why is cell death important for health and disease? The goal of this project is for students to research the fascinating biology of cell death and create their own blog, website or 'zine about cell death. This project will teach students the basic principles of cellular and molecular biology, scientific communication, and information design. Students will gain experience creating and analyzing scientific data and visuals, and will learn how to present complex scientific ideas in an accessible manner. This project will help build skills important for future studies in both the humanities and STEM fields.