Scheduling

Logistics:

• Explorations may only be conducted between the months of September and April.
• Explorations can be scheduled between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
• There is a minimum lead time of TWO (2) months once a date has been fixed, so please reach out early!
• If you have further questions:
  • Call the CPET Office at (352) 392-2310 OR
  • Email: leyajoykutty@ufl.edu

Cost and Reservation Details

• Premade labs – Standard - Start at $30/student without lunch (lunches are an additional $12/ person).
• Custom - Start at $50/student without lunch (lunches are $12/ per person)
• Demographic Information Requirements

Premade Labs

Epidemiology and ELISA

Ebola Outbreak!! 

Length: 3 - 4  hours

This activity combines the principles of epidemiology and laboratory diagnostics to simulate the investigation of an Ebola virus outbreak. Participants take on the role of epidemiologists, tracing the spread of the disease through contact tracing and analyzing patient data to identify patterns of infection. They also perform an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), a laboratory technique used to detect the presence of antibodies or antigens in blood samples, to confirm cases of Ebola. This hands-on activity emphasizes the importance of combining fieldwork and laboratory diagnostics in managing infectious disease outbreaks, fostering a deeper understanding of public health strategies and the scientific methods used to combat epidemics.

General Chemistry

Building a Battery - Micro Voltaic Cell 

Length: 2 - 3 hours 

This activity introduces participants to the principles of electrochemistry by constructing a functioning micro voltaic cell. Over the course of 2–3 hours, participants explore how chemical reactions generate electrical energy by assembling a small battery using common materials, such as metal electrodes and an electrolyte solution. This hands-on experiment demonstrates key concepts like oxidation-reduction reactions, electron flow, and voltage generation, while encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking. By the end of the activity, participants gain a practical understanding of how batteries work and their applications in everyday life.

Genetics

Mendelian Genetics and Pedigrees

Nature's Dice - the Pompe Predicament

Length: 3 - 4 hours

This activity engages participants in exploring the principles of Mendelian genetics through the lens of Pompe disease, a rare genetic disorder. Participants simulate inheritance patterns, learning how traits are passed down through generations based on dominant and recessive alleles. They also analyze family pedigrees to identify carriers and predict the likelihood of offspring inheriting the condition. This interactive activity highlights the real-world application of genetics in understanding hereditary diseases, fostering critical thinking about genetic probabilities and the impact of genetic disorders on families.

PTC (Phenylthiocarbamide)lab 

Length: 6-7 hours

This activity explores the genetic basis of taste perception by examining the ability to taste PTC, a chemical that tastes bitter to some individuals but is tasteless to others. Participants test their own sensitivity to PTC and analyze the results to determine their phenotype, which is linked to variations in the TAS2R38 gene. This activity highlights Mendelian inheritance patterns, as the ability to taste PTC is controlled by a dominant allele. By connecting genetics to a real-world trait, the lab fosters an understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships and genetic variation within populations.

Molecular Biology

DNA Restriction Enzyme Analysis and Bacterial Transformation 

Length: 6 hours

This activity introduces participants to key molecular biology techniques used in genetic engineering. Participants begin by using restriction enzymes to cut DNA at specific sequences, simulating how scientists analyze and manipulate genetic material. They then perform a bacterial transformation, introducing foreign DNA (such as a plasmid) into bacteria to observe gene expression, such as antibiotic resistance or fluorescence. This hands-on activity demonstrates the foundational tools of biotechnology, emphasizing their applications in research, medicine, and industry, while fostering an understanding of how genetic information can be modified and expressed in living organisms.