The students of Mrs. Julie Bohrer’s Biology classes at Roxbury High School have been conducting a variety of impressive labs. Materials for these labs have been purchased with monies, which Mrs. Bohrer was awarded through a Roxbury Foundation for Educational Excellence grant.
The first lab the students conducted was entitled, “Size Exclusion Chromatography.” In this lab, they separated hemoglobin molecules from vitamin B12 molecules using a new, “state of the art” technique. Mrs. Bohrer commented, “Though simple in procedure, the students really enjoyed the lab and were impressed with the technology used in the Roxbury High School lab. The results were perfect!”
In the second lab, students were able to extract their own DNA from their cheek cells and then transfer it into a small, glass heart-shaped charm. The students then assembled the charms into necklaces. “Students that are not in my Biology classes actually came into my room and commented on the necklaces, which their friends had created. They had wished that they could do the lab, too!” stated Mrs. Bohrer.
The last lab purchased will be a follow up to a required advanced placement Biology lab. This lab is set to take place in late February. The students will be able to successfully transform ordinary E.coli bacteria into a bacterium, which glows green under UV light. “The students are excited about performing this lab, as well.”