Medical Superstars Workshop
Originally Published November 30, 2018
With generous funding from Keck Medicine of USC (USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center), the USC/Joint Educational Project Young Scientists Program hosted the Medical Superstars Workshop at L. B. Weemes Elementary School on October 23, 2018.
Cancer researchers spoke with fourth- and fifth-grade students about the science behind cancer. Cancer researchers and guest speakers included: W. Martin Kast, PhD, a Professor of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and Obstetrics & Gynecology at USC; Joey Skeate, MS, a PhD student at USC; and Anupam Singh, a PhD student at USC.
Cancer survivors, Ghecemy Lopez (a four-time cancer survivor) and Sylvia Kast (a breast cancer survivor) shared their stories of overcoming their own personal battles with cancer.
“Due to the prevalence of cancer, many children have experienced cancer within their own family,” said Dieuwertje Kast, JEP STEM Program Manager, “We want the students participating in the workshop to hear from people that are on the front lines of cancer research, prevention and treatment as well as from people that are afflicted by cancer. The workshop is bringing together cancer researchers and survivors from different ethnic backgrounds so that the underrepresented minority students participating in the workshop can hear the narratives from researchers and survivors that look like them.”
Following the speaker presentations, the students dispersed into four stations:
Station #1: DNA Extraction and Genetics. This station had three activities: Strawberry DNA extraction, Gummy Bear Models of DNA structure, and a phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) activity. The PTC activity taught students that there is a single gene which codes for a protein found in our tongues, will bind with the protein if it present and a person will taste it. If the protein is not present, PTC will not bind and a person cannot taste it.
“The thing that was really interesting was how we got the DNA out of the cup (from the strawberry DNA extraction)!” – Jonathan Roman
“I learned that DNA tells you what traits you have, like your hair and eye color.” – Allisson Barrios
“I learned that T and A go together, and G and C go together too!” – Sade Session
Station #2: Biotechnology Station.
This station featured a Robotic Surgery simulation of a “body” possessing both healthy cells and tumor cells. Students were challenged to remove tumor cells with grabbers using only a webcam feed to guide them. There was also a real endoscope that students used to explore a human anatomy model.
“I learned how an ultrasound works!” – Mariano Villegas
Station #3: Pathology and Oncology
The third station was equipped with microscopes and pre-mounted slides of healthy cells and cancer cells, so students could observe the difference in the cellular morphology. There was a “Leukemia Activity” that demonstrated the distinct difference in blood components between normal healthy blood and blood from someone diagnosed with leukemia.
“I thought it was interesting and I learned that you can see really small things with a microscope.” – Halie Canas
The third component of this station was a “Ice Pack Activity”, where students practiced identifying “tumor” (frozen solid ice pack) tissue among healthy tissues (thawed ice packs).
Station #4: Pillow-making station.
Students designed and created two pillows: one for themselves to keep, and one to be given to a child with cancer. As the table of children worked on the pillows with Sylvia Kast, student Melody looked to Ms. Kast and said, “You are one of those survivors, right? How does that make you feel to have survived? I bet happy, proud and strong.” After Ms. Kast shared her feelings, Melody closed the conversation by stating, “You should feel proud…you only have one life and you have survived.”
“I enjoyed making the pillows because we could give the pillows to kids with cancer.” – Jayden Morales
“I loved making the pillows, that was the best thing I ever did.” – Cynthia Aguilar
“I want to use what I learned today to help others cure cancer.” – Nathan Alveno
“I would attend another workshop like this because I want other kids to have as much fun as we did today!” – Kelly Perez
“I enjoyed making the pillows because I want to make the kids with cancer feel loved.” – Lindsay Pleitez
“I really like when we made those pillows for the people who are sick.” – Ana Orellana
“I enjoyed making the pillows because I can donate them to kids with cancer.” – Angeles Romero
“I want to use what I learned today to raise cancer awareness.” – Fernando Orellana
Thank you to all the speakers, volunteers, staff, event preparers, school administration, and teachers that helped to facilitate this event.