Experiments of the future: MINT-EC camp in Heilbronn starts today
Experiments of the future: MINT-EC camp in Heilbronn starts today
Heilbronn, October 14, 2024 - A true adventure of science begins today! here in Heilbronn, in the exciting Science Center Experimenta, 16 young researchers gather who immerse themselves in the fascinating secrets of the DNA clone for the next five days as part of the MINT EC camp "Molecular Biology". These clever heads come from schools in the renowned Excellence network MINT-EC and have opened up to experience the world of molecular biology up close!
Already at the beginning, the participants can expect an exciting entry into the media laboratory. Instead of dry theory according to the motto: "Learning by doing!" Here the DNA is put through its paces on the computer with the restriction process. After that, it goes down: Under expert guidance, the students learn how to use pipettes - devices that you absolutely have to master so as not to lose the thread in molecular research!
The exciting journey of the DNA
What would life be without exciting experiments? The young scientists use the molecular biological method plasmid to quickly reproduce genetic material in bacteria! But that's not all! You also carry out a PCR test on the funny fragment of the Lambda-DNA. Yes, that also sounds like science fiction, but it's about the future of science! In the case of agarose gel electrophoresis, analyze what has come out when the plasmid PUC18 was deleted. The excitement increases with every new discovery!
In other workshops, it is about the production of cultural media for bacteria! And yes, the laboratory becomes a playground for young discoverers when cleaning up PCR products and plasmids. The league of PCR product and vector? A noise for these talents! With the ingenious ligination approach, you unleash the transformation of the E.Coli bacteria. Everything on the way to the ultimate mission: cloning of an exciting region from the bacteriophages lambda!
A look outside the box
Not only DNA and proteins are on the program! At the intercultural science dome show "Zeit der Mondes", the students learn how astronomy plays an important role in Islam. The fascination of the moon and its connection to the fasting month Ramadan causes a completely different perspective. As is well known, education is not only important in the laboratory!
The participating schools from all over Germany:
- Graf-Münster-Gymnasium, Bayreuth-Bavaria
- Johann-Michael-Sailer-Gymnasium, Dillingen a. d. Donau - Bavaria
- Landesgymnasium for highly gifted, Schwäbisch Gmünd - Bavaria
- Ludwig-Thoma-Gymnasium, Prien-Bavaria
- Schyren-Gymnasium Pfaffenhofen, Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm-Bavaria
- Ernst-Ludwig School, Bad Nauheim-Hessen
- Kaiserin-Friedrich-Gymnasium, Bad Homburg-Hessen
- Schillerschule, Hanover - Lower Saxony
- Franziskusgymnasium Lingen, Ling - Lower Saxony
- Gymnasium of the city of Lennestadt, Lennestadt-North Rhine-Westphalia
- Heisenberg-Gymnasium Dortmund, Dortmund-North Rhine-Westphalia
- Kurfürst-Balduin-Gymnasium, Münstermaifeld-Rhineland-Palatinate
- Lise-Meitner-Gymnasium Maxdorf, Maxdorf-Rhineland-Palatinate
- Max Planck-Gymnasium Trier, Trier-Rhineland-Palatinate
- Istanbul Erkek Lisesi, Cagaloglu-Istanbul-Türkiye
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MINT-EC-The National Excellence network
MINT-EC, founded by employers, supports pupils with a strong interest in mathematics, computer science and natural sciences. The initiative ensures that the smartest heads of tomorrow are well promoted. With over 340 schools in the network and under the patronage of the Conference of Ministers (KMK), students and teachers are optimally prepared!