LIMESTONE, Maine — Over September break, seven students from Deb McGann’s computational physics class got the unique opportunity to visit both the Jackson Laboratory (JAX) and the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL) in Mount Desert Island. The Maine School of Science and Mathametics students stayed on the Jackson Laboratory campus while attending the three-day short course.
According to McGann, this is the ninth year that she has been organizing the trip for her students.
“MDIBL is a gem of a research center. Having the opportunity for students to speak with scientists and see research in action is invaluable. Our students tend to be interested and curious about science, but trips to research facilities really help them to imagine how their interests can translate into exciting and rewarding careers,” McGann said.
MSSM senior Anas Beshir was one of the seven students who attended the field trip.
“We got to visit their library, common room, laboratories and observe their courses. One of the courses we attended was a graduate-level course with med students. During our lunch, we enjoyed talking with the scientists who worked there,” Beshir said.
Marina Mozak, a senior who also went on the trip was amazed at how well the guest speakers communicated with their audience.
“One of the teachers who spoke to us, Karl Browman, did a great job speaking. He spoke in a way that we understood everything he said. There were a lot of students from the local schools there as well. The laboratories also gave us access to all the speakers presentations. It’s nice that we are able to take them back and reference them,” Mozak said.
Having visited for nine years, McGann continues to praise both laboratories.
“Our visit to the lab each fall gives the students a chance to meet face to face with the scientist with whom they will work throughout the year in their computational biology course,” McGann said.
