ISB News

Intern Notebook: Our First Field Trip

By Isiac Orr
ISB High School Intern

In an effort to enrich both summer internship programs at ISB and Seattle Children’s Research Institute (SCRI), high school interns from both institutes gathered recently to learn about their respective programs. The interns first met at ISB to get an introduction and take photos. The group then followed Dr. Becky Howsmon, award-winning senior scientist at SCRI, to tour SCRI’s discovery portal and lab facilities.

The interns from ISB cycled through SCRI’s discovery center, which featured activities detailing the institute’s history, their scientists, and areas of research impact. Afterward, there was time for an impromptu discussion about the discovery center experience, but most people chose to reflect quietly. A few interns, however, did end up sharing opinions on the astounding scope of SCRI’s research, the aid that it can provide, and how pleasantly the discovery portal was set up.

Next, Dr. Howsmon led the group to the lab and further explained some of the research that was being conducted at the institute. SCRI covers everything from analyzing microbiomes to regenerating zebrafish, which captivated the science-driven students. For the ISB interns, seeing SCRI labs, which resemble ISB’s labs, sparked a sense of unity because they could see themselves as equals to their young colleagues at SCRI. The group continued to the top floor, which opens to a beautiful view of the city framed by skyscrapers and the Space Needle.

Buca di Beppo generously donated food for the group to enjoy as everyone mingled with the aid of ice-breaking activities at each of the tables. Laughs and stories carried the field trip to its conclusion with a presentation from one of the SCRI interns. Her poster portrayed the research she had performed, what she had learned, and what she aspired to do with the experience she had gained. Linnea Stavney, one of the ISB high school interns, described the field trip as simply “good food, good people, good science.”

Recent Articles

  • Spotlight on ISB Education graphic

    2024-25 School Year ISB Education Highlights

    In the first installment of the 2024-25 academic year roundup, we highlight some of the top projects the ISB Education team is working on. In October, we welcomed new team members, developed a new format for our popular “Systems Are Everywhere!” workshop, and more.

  • 2024 ISB Virtual Microbiome Series

    Our multi-day microbiome-themed virtual course and symposium is back for the fifth year! ISB is hosting a two-day course on October 16 & 17, 2024, followed by a symposium on October 18, 2024 titled, “A gut feeling: Microbes and their impacts on our minds.” Both events are virtual and free.

  • Fluidized bed reactor

    How Microbes Evolve to Spatially Divide and Conquer an Environment 

    ISB researchers examined representative organisms of two classes of microbes whose interaction contributes to the conversion of more than 1 gigaton of carbon into methane every year. They found that gene mutations selected over a relatively short timeframe in the two microbes led to distinct functions.