Joshua Castro – 12
In February, students in Biology-focused classes went to Penn State Hershey Medical Center to learn about microscopic imaging techniques. Similar to last year, Mrs. Farina organized the trip, which had been planned for January but was moved back a month due to hazardous weather conditions. Despite the delay, the overall experience was not affected and followed the original plan.
The trip began with the students organized in an auditorium to hear about the experiences that led the speakers to their roles as specialists. All of them expressed a common theme, revolving around how they got to their positions by being open to change. Following the presentation, the specialists guided the students around the facility to view advancements in imaging technology.
Students viewed Magnetic Resonance Imaging, commonly known as an MRI. It was operated by a technologist who explained how it worked and allowed volunteers to use a display with a multi-layered human brain scan from different anatomical directions. Next, a specialist showed a microscope that used extremely low temperatures on biological matter to image it and create 3-dimensional models. Another specialist described a Transmission Electron Microscope, explaining how it allowed him to view cells and detect irregularities. One thing he noted was how he does not look at dangerous cells or viruses, like COVID-19, which would have made his research area more hazardous. Lastly, an operator gave students the opportunity to put on a virtual reality headset to try a simulation showing how diseases could affect vital organs.
Emalee Burkholder was one of the students who went on the trip. Her favorite part was seeing a more diverse group of medical specialties, other than the more widely recognized doctors and nurses. In particular, she liked learning about molecular virology because it reflects the profession she wants to pursue. An imaging technology she found interesting was viewing the large cryo-microscope because the mechanics behind it interested her. Still, even though the delay made her “livid,” she enjoyed learning about the potential experiences and education that the medical field entails.
According to Mrs. Farina, the 2026 trip to Penn State Hershey’s Medical Center was fundamentally different from the one last year. While the focus this year was on different imaging techniques, students were shown animal and fish labs last year. Overall, though, whatever the facility chooses to show, Mrs. Farina wants students to get an experience of what real, hands-on science looks like, “seeing more than a doctor and nurse.”
