HutchLab: Students Working as Scientists—An Educational Review

Authors

Samantha Broun, Jamie Bell, Inverness Research Inc.

Purpose

The HutchLab summer program in Seattle, Washington, provides a unique learning experience in biomedical research for high school juniors and seniors. Based at the world-renowned Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the program consists of two one-week sessions with twenty students in each session. The sessions begin on Sunday afternoon with an orientation, and then run Monday through Friday for five eight-hour days. Students in the program spend the week exploring current trends in the research and future treatment of sickle cell anemia through lab work, lectures, readings, group discussions, journal writing and more. In addition to creating a hands-on learning environment for students, HutchLab also affords those who work with the students—the full-time staff, as well as the summer staff of teachers and research scientists—with professionally and personally enriching opportunities.

HutchLab stands out to us as an especially engaging program for students. We have prepared this review in order to provide feedback to the staff, and so that those interested in science education can learn about the program’s design as well as the flavor of the students’ experiences working as scientists.

Intended Audience

Science Educators, Teachers, Reform Leaders, and general public.

Disclaimer

Any and all errors are claimed by the authors of this document, Inverness Research

Date published

June 2001

Distribution Policy

Inverness Research Inc. grants permission to print and distribute copies.

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