Why Meet the Lab?
Real-world problems are being solved by scientific research every day. Make science matter to your students with Meet the Lab! You and your students can:
- Explore relevant, real-world issues, introduced through personal video stories
- Meet labs in Wisconsin by hearing from diverse scientists who are working together to seek answers to big questions
- Do science with grade-appropriate activities based on real lab content and practices
All Meet the Lab resources are developed with NGSS and Wisconsin Science Standards in mind. And, since middle school is a critical time for learners to actively construct their identities and to see themselves in science, all the resources can be used to support your learners in developing their own STEM identities, or “Who am I, who can I become, where do I belong, and how do others see me?” in the context of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
Meet the Lab
Quick Start Chart
Use this quick-start chart to see how the featured labs map to content areas, crosscutting concepts, science and engineering practices, and standards!
Meet More Resources
Explore these guides developed with and for educators to find background information, discussion questions, and activity ideas for each lab.
Antibiotic Hunters
The Tiny Earth Network searches for antibiotics 🦠 in the soil so that we will have new defenses against bacterial infections that make us sick.
Bio Builders
The Thomson Lab pioneered stem cell research, and now uses stem cells to repair damaged tissues and improve human health treatments. 🧫
Cancer Detectives
The Skala Lab uses high-powered laser microscopes ⚡️ to research cancer cells and test new treatments.
Data Decoders
The Solís-Lemus Lab uses math and computers 🖥️ to interpret huge amounts of data from biological experiments! 🌱
Nervous System Engineers
The Ashton Group makes nervous system tissue 🧠 to find treatments for nervous system diseases and injuries.
Virus Investigators
The John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Center for Research in Virology studies how viruses multiply, 🔬 in hopes of finding new ways to control them!
Visual Communicators
The Schloss Visual Reasoning Lab researches human reactions to messages made with visual elements 👁️ like color, shape, and line—with a goal of crafting better communications.
Tell us what you think!
Have a question? Inspired to share? Email Us!
education@pbswisconsin.org
Quotation
“Meet the Lab takes real-life experiences and real-life research and puts it together to educate all learners in a meaningful and approachable way. The content is made accessible to all on a fantastic platform that is engaging and inclusive."