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Interdisciplinary Science Experiences at BSU

 

3 students engage in a watershed modeling activity

CASE offers exciting, hands-on, inquiry-based STEM field trips for middle and high school classes. Join us in BSU’s CityLab (CTY) or Watershed Access Lab (WAL) for a day of dynamic investigation and teamwork, with curriculum that is aligned to current MA standards. Best of all, it is FREE.

Schools provide transportation to and from the program and students/districts must bring lunch. Visits last 4.5 hours, inclusive of a 30-minute lunch.

Request Your Visit

Before requesting your visit, please review additional information about this experience in the FAQ section below.

Explore Our Modules

Crucial Concentration – CTY only

The Crucial Concentration module is appropriate for middle and high school classes. The students are "hired" by the Perfect Solution Company and challenged to investigate the protein content of sports drinks in the context of "truth in advertising.” Students perform colorimetric assays with spectrophotometers to determine the actual amount of protein in drinks from three different manufacturers. Math skills are involved in analyzing data, including graphing and determining linear relationships between variables. Language arts skills are incorporated in the assessment when students write letters back to the Perfect Solution Company describing the procedure they used and the results they obtained.

Standards: 6.MS-LS1-3, 6.MS-PS4-2, 7.MS-ETS1-2, 7.MS-ETS1-4, 8.MS-LS1-7, HS-LS1-2, HS-LS1-6, HS-PS1-4, HS-PS1-11

 

Does This Parking Lot Look “Green” to You? – WAL only

The “Green” Parking Lot module is designed for middle and high school students. In this program, students explore phosphorus contamination in parking lots through standard curves and spectrophotometric analysis (similar to Crucial Concentration). They'll also learn about impervious surfaces and the benefits of low impact design (LID) in enhancing water quality. At BSU, we have an LID parking lot that serves as a real-world example, which we'll showcase and explain to students. They will then analyze a series of standards and unknowns to investigate whether our LID parking lot effectively improves water quality.

Standards: 5.ESS3, 5.LS2-1, 5.PS1-1, 5.PS1-3, 5.PS1-4, 3-5.ETS3-1, 6.MS-PS4-2, , 7.MS-ESS2-4, 7.MS-ESS3-4, 7.MS-LS2-1, 7.MS-LS2-4, 7.MS-LS2-5, 7.MS-SL2-6, 8.MS-LS1-5, HS-LS2-7, HS-PS1-11

 

Lab Larceny - CTY only

The Lab Larceny module is most appropriate for high school biology classes. It is a forensic mystery in which high school students are hired as employees of the Forensic Institute of Bridgewater (FIB). The students perform DNA fingerprinting on samples isolated from “blood” found at the site of suspected industrial espionage at FIB headquarters. Techniques are based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and involve agarose gel electrophoresis to resolve the DNA fingerprints. Careful analysis of the data and critical thinking skills are encouraged in solving this "who done it?"

Standards: 7.MS-PS2-3, 8.MS-LS3-1, HS-LS1-1, HS-LS1-4, HS-LS3-2, HS-PS1-11

 

Mystery of the Crooked Cell - CTY only

In this module, which is most appropriate for middle school classes, students explore the molecular basis of sickle cell anemia. Acting as medical technologists, they are asked to determine what might be causing a collection of symptoms in an imaginary patient. Students are introduced to micropipettes, and they use protein gel electrophoresis as a diagnostic tool to differentiate sickle cell hemoglobin from normal hemoglobin. A language arts component is included as a form of assessment when students write a letter to the physician who "hired" them describing their diagnosis and laboratory methods used. 

Standards: 6.MS-LS1-1, 6.MS-LS1-2, 6.MS-LS1-3, 7.MS-PS2-3, 8.MS-LS3-1, 8.MS-LS3-4, 8.MS-LS4-4, 8.MS-LS4-5, HS.LS3, HS-PS1-11

 

Pea Power:  Unraveling the Mystery of Cellular Respiration

The Pea Power module is ideal for both high school and AP Biology classes. Using a respirometer in class can be challenging and prone to errors during assembly and use. In this module, innovative Vernier technology replaces the respirometer with gas pressure sensors (O2 and CO2) and LabQuest handhelds to measure respiration rates effectively. Students will engage in experiments involving predictions and inquiries throughout. They will also conduct a student-designed lab on cellular respiration, selecting an independent variable, predicting outcomes (dependent variable), and presenting their hypotheses and results to the class post-experiment.

Standards: 1. HS-LS1-2, 1. HS-LS 1-6, 1. HS-LS 1-7, 2. HS-LS 2-5, 1. HS-PS 1-6

Frequently Asked Questions

Accordion Content

Two students working on a lab experiment with pipettes

CityLab at Bridgewater State University is a dynamic biotechnology outreach program inspired by Boston University's CityLab, dedicated to inspiring both teachers and students. Our mission is to spark a passion for science through immersive, hands-on laboratory activities that utilize advanced equipment not commonly found in schools.

Students delve into biology, chemistry, health sciences or forensics, engaging in simulated scenarios filled with compelling storylines. This environment encourages creativity and cultivates critical thinking skills essential for scientific exploration and discovery.

Students running an experiment in the lab

"Environmental Sustainability is not just about saving the planet, but ensuring a future where both nature and humanity can thrive together."

Bridgewater State University's Watershed Access Lab empowers educators and students to tackle local water and environmental issues. We raise awareness about critical concerns like water pollution, resource scarcity, sustainable energy and responsible land use. Our mission is to equip the future generation of environmental stewards with teh knowledge and tools needed to make informed, sustainable decisions for our watersheds and communities.

Contact Us

Center for Advancement of STEM Education (CASE)

Bridgewater State University
Dana Mohler-Faria Science and Mathematics Center, Rm 220
24 Park Avenue
Bridgewater, MA 02325
United States