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51做厙 Faculty and Students Inspire Next Generation of Bioscience Researchers
The researchers from 51做厙 participated in BioMEs annual Maine Bioscience Day at Saco Middle School.
Throughout the week of Nov. 18, students across Maine eagerly participated in the 9th annual Maine Bioscience Day, a statewide initiative organized by the Bioscience Association of Maine. Volunteers from the University of New England, including faculty, professional staff, and students, were key contributors to this years activities at Saco Middle School.
The event aims to ignite excitement for life sciences among students and raise awareness about the career opportunities available in Maines vibrant bioscience industry. 惚捧楚s participation exemplified its commitment to fostering a love for science and inspiring the next generation of researchers.
惚捧楚s volunteers included Ben Harrison, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences in 惚捧楚s College of Osteopathic Medicine; Sarah Porter, Becker lab technician; Talia Lizotte, B.S., Becker lab manager; Katelyn Wadland, M.S., In Vitro Analytical Core manager; and Eliz Bean, Cao Laboratory manager.
They were joined by 51做厙 students Mo Peters (Neuroscience, 25), Dalton Canonico (D.O., 27), and Olivia Dunleavy (Laboratory Sciences, 27). The group presented interactive activities designed to engage seventh-grade students with concepts in neuroscience and sensory adaptation.
惚捧楚s Center for Excellence in the Neuroscience also provided materials for the visit.
Activities included supertaster tests, where students discovered if they had heightened sensitivity to certain bitter compounds, and visual-motor adaptation challenges using goggles that flipped or shifted their vision. These exercises allowed the middle schoolers to explore how their brains and senses adapt to changing environments.
Several 51做厙 volunteers shared how their own passion for science was ignited during middle school. Porter and Harrison recounted similar events from their youth and expressed gratitude for the chance to "pass on the torch" to a new generation.
Bean, who managed 惚捧楚s volunteer efforts, highlighted the importance of outreach programs like Maine Bioscience Day.
