Press release:

Budding scientists at Cascade Middle School and the Arts and Academic Academy (AAA), both in SeaTac, are working together to experiment on new biotech equipment.

High school students in AAA’s BioInformatics, Technology, and Ethics class are partnering with 7th grade science students from Cascade to learn together. While the older students are mentoring the younger students, both groups are learning from each other.

“Working with the students was really fun and it seemed that they responded better and were more interested in working with other teenagers rather than teachers,” said high school student Kateah Nims. “I felt they were more inspired to be more involved with what was happening.”

In class, the students are learning about the genetic basis for antibiotic resistance.

“This lab is a real world application of everything they have been learning,” said Cascade teacher Anna Kramer, “It wouldn’t be possible without the AAA students leading each small group on the specific lab skills.”

The AAA students engineered DNA plasmid to incorporate into different genes. Those same students are helping Cascade students incorporate the plasmid into E.Coli cells. The middle school students will then be able to test the E.Coli cells to see if the AAA students successfully created DNA with specific genes.

The collaboration is not only giving the students hands-on experience, but also giving the students an opportunity to use specialized biotech equipment. Thanks to a grant from the Amgen-Bruce Wallace program at Shoreline Community College, students are able to use high-tech lab equipment they wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to.