| What: | High schoolers taking part in the COSMOS (California State Summer School in Math and Sciences) at UC Davis pull on their lab coats and learn how scientists in a medical or veterinary lab isolate, grow and identify bacteria from a patient sample -- by doing it themselves. |
| When: | 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 24 |
| Where: | Room 1310, Surge III building, UC Davis campus |
| Visuals | Students in grades nine to 12 will be working with microbiological techniques just like those found in a medical or veterinary diagnostic lab. They will also be examining X-rays of human and animal patients, looking at anatomy specimens and using microscopes. Participating students will be available for interviews. Microbiologist Rance LeFebvre, who is organizing the class, and COSMOS director Abigail Thompson will also be available for interviews. |
| Background: | COSMOS is a four-week residential program in which talented students who have completed grades eight through 12 learn advanced science and math from leading university researchers. Students enroll in one "cluster" of three courses, plus a course in scientific communications. The clusters are: Materials Sciences; Optical Science; Rockets and Robots; Earth, Air, Fire and Water; Computers in Physics and Robotics; Mathematics; Environmental Science, Cycles and Biotechnology; and Biomedical Sciences. |
| Directions and Parking: |
From Interstate 80, take the UC Davis exit and turn left onto California Avenue. After crossing the bridge, turn left onto La Rue Road. Follow La Rue Road and turn right at the traffic lights on to Hutchison Drive. The Surge III building is on your right past the parking lot. Media can park free in any non-reserved parking space. If your vehicle is not marked, place a business card or press credential on the dashboard. |
More information: http://cosmos.ucdavis.edu
Media Resources
Andy Fell, Research news (emphasis: biological and physical sciences, and engineering), 530-752-4533, ahfell@ucdavis.edu