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Elementary students get close up look at science lab

Dudley Elementary Young Astronaut, Zeke Jackson, has a mischievous look on his face as UHV students explain the process of gathering and processing tissue samples to the budding class of young scientist on Monday.
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  • BY JULIAN CAVAZOS - JCAVAZOS@VICAD.COM
  • Originally published November 17, 2009 at 8:12 p.m., updated November 18, 2009 at 8:36 a.m.

  • A histology lab lets doctors detect a patient's disease that will need to be treated.

Kids turned into scientists this week as they examined different kids of tissue under a microscope.

The Young Astronauts Club from Dudley Magnet School visited the University of Houston-Victoria to see first-hand how rat tissues, such as from the heart, stomach, and lungs, are prepared to be placed in slides to study their structure.

Gabriel Cavazos, 8, had never seen rat's tissues before.

"It was disgusting, kind of," Gabriel said.

Doctors use the same procedure on humans to study what kinds of health problems or diseases a patient has.

"My goal is for them to start at this early age to start to appreciate how their bodies work," said Jesica McCue, an adjunct immunohistochemistry professor. "It helps them to learn about their body and how to maintain their health."

The lab was divided into six stations, each with a UHV lab student to teach the elementary students what is done.

"This was good," said Bria Rosas, 6. "You get to learn about wax, and tissues."

In the first station, the Astronauts viewed the different types of tissue and saw them placed into little cassettes.

The tissues are then placed in chemicals that keep them in their original state, and then are embedded in wax to be made impermeable.

The tissue and wax are sliced with a razor machine and then placed on a slide.

Each part of the tissue is then stained with color to examine them and identify the tissue's structure under a microscope.

The DNA is stained in purple, the protein is stained in pink, said Kamal Godiwala, a senior biology major.

The tissue can then be viewed and studied with a microscope.

Teaching the Dudley students helps the UHV lab students remember what they learn.

"I get my little piece of advice going over this over and over, so it's a good thing for me," said Jennifer Haschke, a biology major.

Some parents attended the lab tour and watched as their children participated.

Dannie Ladet said his daughter, LaBrisha Ladet, has been curious about science.

"She's been asking so many questions about it. I'm so happy to see that she's learning and she's beginning to express herself more," Ladet said of his 7-year-old.


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Comments

  • newearth newearth Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    As our society grows, our world will need more scientist and inventors to help fight new diseases, new solar energy saving devices, being able to produce more crops, and many other items. What a clever, and wonderful idea to let these children live a real moment like this, because you never know when the idea of becoming a scientist or inventor will be born. I cringe when I think about the importance and money that are placed on the many sports activities while the science world is neglected through our schools.

    November 19, 2009 at 11:57 a.m.