Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: A Mecca for Science Research in NY
The Education Update team recently visited Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a place where distinguished scientists work in their labs, nestled amidst the tall trees, shrubs and flowers, while swans swim placidly in the clear waters surrounding the 100-plus acres of land. A glimpse into several classrooms showed intermediate and high school students toiling diligently at lab tables, experiencing science hands-on.
Over 100 years old, boasting eight Nobelists, holding conferences for thousands of scientists from around the globe, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory near Syosset, Long Island is a Mecca for learning. Students can attend workshops during the school year as well as sessions of one or more weeks throughout the summer. Doctoral and post-doctoral study is free, supported by grants and endowments. One of the earliest women to win a Nobel Prize was Barbara McClintock, who did her research at Cold Spring Harbor Lab in corn genomes in 1944.
The first public presentation of Watson and Crick’s discovery of the structure of DNA, for which they won the Nobel Prize, happened at this lab. The Education Update team met with co-directors of the undergraduate research program, Dr. Anne Churchland and Dr. Michael Schatz, on the porch of the house originally occupied by Dr. Watson, and were privileged to interview Dr. Bruce Stillman, president of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, as well as Dr. David Micklos, director of the DNA Learning Center, and Dr. Gregory Hannon, professor at the Watson School of Biological Sciences and HHMI investigator. #
