On March 21, Mrs. Farina and her AP Biology class took a field trip to Penn State University main campus. Mrs. Hoover and Mackenzie Hoover also attended. During the trip, the students attended several of the university’s research labs to learn more about opportunities in the science field. Mrs. Farina wants to show her students that there are more opportunities than just the medical field when it comes to science careers, particularly for women in science. 

     The first lab that the class visited was the X-ray Crystallography lab headed by Dr. Hemant Yennawar. While there, the students learned about how x-ray crystallography research is conducted, the instruments used to obtain data, and how resulting data can be applied to many areas of science. The students were able to view crystals that are used in x-ray crystallography, and they also performed a lab in which they were able to grow their own crystals. Morgan Riegel states, “My favorite part was being in the X-ray crystallography lab and attempting to grow crystals.”

     The students then traveled to the Metabolomics lab, where they met Dr. Andrew D. Patterson and two of his graduate students, Erin Reilly and Ethan Morgan. Here the students toured two areas of the lab, the area where large instruments run to collect data, and the area where labs are being conducted. Both areas were helpful in showing the students what the typical day of a college research student in the field would be like. Mackenzie Hoover notes, “I personally enjoyed the Metabolomics Lab and seeing all of the technology that they use in their lab.” 

     Several of the students expressed that they were inspired by Erin Reilly, as she was a successful student and woman in science who was passionate about her work. She served as a positive example of how women can succeed and excel in a scientific career. Shelby Dougherty states, “I want to be her. She was very inspiring.” 

     The final lab that the group visited was the Food Mycology Lab, where they met Dr. Josephine Wee, Ashley Ohstrom, Dr. Nataliia Voloshchuk, and Jacob Simmons. Here the students performed a sensory testing lab, during which they tasted different foods with associated fungi and then viewed them under a microscope. This was a very interesting and fun experience for the students. It allowed them to learn more about a less mainstream science and the opportunities such a science offers. 

     After the tours, the students were allowed time to explore on and around campus. This was a beneficial experience for them, as it allowed them to experience a bit of college life. Amelia Gassert comments, “I thought it was very helpful, because it gave me a taste of what college life would be like. It also helped me to know that I do not want to go to a college like Penn State, since it is almost too big of a school. I would rather attend a medium sized school.” The size of the school was helpful for Mackenzie Hoover as well who notes, “It allowed me to see what the atmosphere of a large college looks like to help me in my college decision making.”

     Along with experiencing college life, the trip was also beneficial in helping the students understand what career paths they are interested in and the opportunities available to them. Mackenzie Hoover comments, “This trip was helpful to me because it allowed me to see what options are out there for a career in science.” The students were able to see first hand what was available for them to pursue. Shelby Dougherty expresses, “The trip helped me realize that I would not be able to work in a research lab all day. It was helpful for me to be able to cross possibilities off my list so I can have a more narrow understanding of what I might want to do in the future.” Contrastingly, Amelia Gassert states, “The trip directed me into knowing that I would like to work in a lab. It seemed interesting, and I could see myself pursuing something similar.” 

     Overall, the trip was a fantastic experience for the students. Mrs. Farina wanted her students to be able to learn that there is more to the scientific world than medicine and that women in science have many opportunities to be successful in the field. The trip aided the students in their career search along with their college search. They all feel that they benefited from the experience and were grateful for the opportunity to be able to learn more about the future of science.