ARCHDALE — When a patient needs blood, three donors offer to give. But which of the three has the right blood type?
That’s the question seventh-grade science students at Archdale-Trinity Middle School had to answer recently when the Destiny mobile lab came to the campus. A learning tool of the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, Destiny travels all over the state with various programs that local schools would otherwise be unable to provide.
Cathy Pike and Nick Hoffmann, science education specialists with Destiny, led Dana Zoltek’s students through the process of identifying blood types. Each student had access to laboratory equipment, including $150 pipettes used to pick up and dispense liquids during experiments.
Created in 2000 for high school students, this is the first year the Destiny buses have included middle schools through an initiative called DREAMS (Destiny’s Role in Engaging and Advancing Middle School Science). Before the Destiny mobile labs can go to a school, a teacher at that school must take a workshop in the particular curriculum. Zoltek said she had taken the “Code Red” workshop last summer. Then she went over the material in class in preparation for the Destiny sessions.
Students entering the bus are given safety glasses and rubber gloves. They’re divided into teams of two and go to a work space.
The Destiny specialists are wired with microphones and use strategically-located video monitors for closeup instruction.
Prior to carrying out the blood testing (using simulated fluids), Hoffmann and Pike instructed the students in the use of pipettes, from loading the disposable tips to picking up and dispensing liquids. Working in pairs, the students labeled testing plates for four blood samples, dropped samples from the patient and donors on the plates then added two types of antibodies to the samples. Which antibodies caused the samples to clot determined the blood types.
“From what I could tell, they really loved it,” Zoltek said of her students. She said her science classes had read about blood typing but hadn’t seen the process first hand. The Destiny lab gave them that chance.
“And, they were able to see what working in a lab is really like.” she said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Larry Penkava
Discussion
What type are you?
- Local News
-
-
Music video being shot today, Saturday
CMG Records of Nashville is in town today and Saturday to film a video of local country singer William Willard.
-
NFL Play 60 Kids Day gets them moving
It was kids, kids and more kids Wednesday at the Indiana Convention Center, as 38 classrooms of fifth- and sixth-graders enjoyed a morning at the NFL Experience, courtesy of the NFL’s Play 60 Challenge.
-
Super security goes into place for Super Bowl
Law enforcement officials charged with Super Bowl security are taking extraordinary measures to prevent a terrorist attack, but they’re also working to keep the event from being a field day for common criminals.
-
Communities In Schools – your chance to make a difference
Communities In Schools of Randolph County will hold its inaugural Mystery Theatre & Masquerade Ball: A Magical Night at Pinewood Country Club on March 30. Patricia Edwards, publisher of The Randolph Guide, gives the details and explains why CISRC needs you to not only plan to attend the event but to get involved.
-
Couples chosen for 2012 RCC dancing event
The dancer pairings for the Randolph Community College Foundation’s 2012 Dancing with the Randolph Stars benefit were announced at a “Meet the Stars” event held Jan. 29 at The Exchange.
-
Belichick: Indy friendlier after failed '09 call against Colts
Coach Bill Belichick jokes about the welcome he has gotten since arriving in Indianapolis -- where Colts fans are less-than-friendly toward his New England Patriots -- for Super Bowl XLVI.
-
Super prices for NFL's super event
The price tag of a prime seat in Lucas Oil Stadium for Super Bowl XLVI is officially $1,000, but cash-rich fans will shell out multiples of that to see the NFL championship game.
-
Last public execution subject of Feb. 4 presentation
Ricky Allred, who has conducted the Walk Thru the Past tours at the Old Asheboro Cemetery, will present the story of the Thomas Bowman hanging at 10 a.m. Feb. 4 in the restored courtroom of the Old Randolph County Courthouse.
-
This year's Super Bowl stadium 'Disney friendly'
National Football League officials are taking fan-friendly lessons from Disney World to make sure they don't repeat last year's Super Bowl stadium seating fiasco.
-
Coble: 'I feel good about my health'
Putting to rest questions about his health and possible retirement, Sixth District Congressman Howard Coble told a room full of reporters in his North Carolina headquarters that he will run for re-election this year.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Romney Takes Strong Lead in Nevada GOP Victory
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
This Week in Photos: GOP Candidates Rally
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
NC Police: Mom Injects Chemical Into Baby's IV
Second Teacher Pulled From LA School Arrested
Planned Parenthood Speaks Out About Komen
Komen Reverses Planned Parenthood Cuts
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
NY Police Shoot Dead Unarmed Man
Past Complaint About LA Teacher Comes to Light
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Trump Backs Romney, Despite Gingrich Staff Claim
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
