AROUND CAMPUS
Educational Partnerships For Deeper Learning
Saint David ’ s partnerships with leading scientific , historical , and cultural institutions provide signature learning experiences that are embedded in the curriculum . Rather than being one-off field trips or workshops , these experiences occur over several weeks and involve collaboration between the institutions ’ experts - be they scientists , artists or historians - and Saint David ’ s teachers .
Eighth graders ’ spring science study included a deep dive into DNA through our collaboration with the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center . DNALC educators were on-site regularly at the school to collaborate with our science teachers as the boys extracted and analyzed DNA , and conducted barcoding . The boys used the same tools and techniques that are used by DNA scientists . This unit culminated in their investigation into the biodiversity of insects in Central Park .
DNA Learning Center
On Wednesday , January 24 , 2024 , fifth graders took a full-day field trip to Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center on Long Island to kick off their study of DNA and genetics , also done through several in-school visits by DNA Learning Center scientists .
Boys explored the museum at the learning center , observing “ Ötzi the Iceman ,” the oldest natural mummy of a “ Copper Age ” European man , discovered by hikers in the Alps in the early 1990 ’ s . Cold Spring Harbor DNA educators led the boys in labs to determine information about Ötzi using ancient DNA , and observe mutant organisms under the microscope . The boys also applied their knowledge of genetics to make forensic observations of and inferences about a woman who claimed to be Princess Anastasia , daughter of Czar Nicholas II of Russia , and heir to the Romanov riches .
56 • Saint David ’ s Magazine