News

April 3, 2019

P-TECH Students Explore DNA

Students in the Capital Region BOCES Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P – TECH) program are exploring ways DNA is passed on in humans and how science can use biotechnology to better understand diseases such as cancer.

Students in P-TECH’s West Campus at the Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonasen recently conducted experiments comparing and contrasting different species to learn which species contains a (simulated) compound that could be used for treating certain types of cancers.

“The purpose of the lab”, said teacher Sarah Conway, “was for students to learn how to compare species through structural evidence, as well as molecular evidence.”

The research was part of larger project in which the ninth grade students learn how DNA is utilized for making proteins for and DNA it is inherited and passed on from one generation to another. Students also learn in the project about different biotechnologies and are ultimately going to engage in a “debate” addressing the question the law and ownership as it relates to biotechnological materials.

P-TECH is an innovative four- to six-year program (grades 9-14) offered to students throughout the region through a consortium that includes Capital Region BOCES, the Capital Region Chamber, Hudson Valley Community College and SUNY Schenectady County Community College.

The program has two campuses – East Campus is at Watervliet High School, West Campus at the Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonasen – and provides pathways for students to earn free college degrees in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems and Cybersecurity.

The P-TECH curriculum focuses on engaging students in hands-on, project-based learning – such as coding – to be successful in careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and providing students with workplace skills that will ensure success, no matter the career path they are applied to. Through the program, business partners provide students access to cutting-edge technologies and innovations that allow them to see the real-world application of the knowledge they are gaining at P-TECH.

 In the P_TECH Science2 photo, Jack Jensen records his findings.

In the P_TECH Science3 photo, students Joseph Jaster and Jacob Laustrup work with teacher Sarah Conway on the research.