Centralia, Mossyrock and W.F. West High School students recently participated in Biotech Day.
Students from Centralia, W.F. West and Mossyrock high schools recently participated in Biotech Day.
About 180 students from Centralia, Mossyrock, and W.F. West high schools participated in a day-long event Monday where they used DNA profiling and analytical reasoning to solve a mystery.
The event was part of the annual Biotech Day, in which students learning how to use modern molecular biology techniques and explore the future of biotechnology. This year’s theme was “Stranger Genes,” based on the popular Netflix series “Stranger Things” and was held in the new STEM wing at W.F. West.
Advanced Genetics students in Wendy Neal’s class at W.F. West produced and acted in their own movie. Using genetics and lab skills taught to them by student mentors, participants worked through solving the crime using DNA evidence, fingerprints and hair samples left at the “crime scene.” Guest speakers from Washington State University and the Allen Institute of Seattle presented their research.
“I enjoyed the day,” said Mossyrock junior Edgar Alvarez. “Solving the mystery was awesome. Even though I didn’t figure out the right person, the process to it intrigued me.”
For more information, visit biotechday.org.
