Bringing Science to Life: Ronald Reagan High School Students Experience DNA Day at MCW
On April 10, the Medical College of Wisconsin welcomed approximately 40 seniors from Ronald Reagan High School AP Biology class for a hands-on DNA Day Lab Experience – an immersive opportunity to explore careers in science, genomics, and patient-centered care.
Throughout the day, students rotated through interactive stations led by faculty, staff, and learners from the Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine and the Genetic Counseling MS Program, gaining real-world exposure to the science happening across MCW.
A Day of Hands-On Discovery
At the Mellowes Center, students stepped directly into the lab to perform DNA isolation at the bench, learning how genetic material is extracted and analyzed. They explored key concepts like concentration, fragment analysis, and the importance of quality metrics in research workflows.
Students also followed the journey of a biological sample, from patient procurement to library preparation and sequencing and finally an analysis pipeline. Each step is important and ultimately allows us to understand the mechanisms behind disease. Guiding the students through these processes allows them to experience how discoveries in genomics are made and applied.
Through guided lab tours and interactive sessions, students learned directly from Mellowes Center faculty and staff, as well as MCW’s Genetic Counseling Master’s students.
In classroom sessions, students explored how laboratory findings translate into clinical reports and patient care – connecting scientific discovery to real-world impact on individuals and families.
Students
The impact of the day was clear in the reflections students shared. One student, Maia L. Maties, wrote: “Thank you so much to those who put this amazing experience together. I am extremely grateful to have been given this opportunity. I hope this program will continue for a long time. Thank you for all that you do!”
Students also made meaningful connections between classroom learning and real-world application, noting: “I can’t believe people actually use the word ‘heterozygous’ at work.” “That muscle disease graph looked just like one of our test questions.”
The experience resonated with educators as well. Ronald Reagan High School teacher and chaperone Joe Veierstahler shared: "You put in making these students feel special and smart. Big smiles all the way back on the bus… students were already telling others they missed out. Thank you a hundred times over.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Events like DNA Day highlight MCW’s strong commitment to education, community engagement, and inspiring future scientists and healthcare professionals. By opening lab doors and sharing their expertise, faculty, staff, and students created a meaningful experience with lasting impact – encouraging the next generation to explore, question, and envision themselves in the world of science. We extend a sincere thank you to everyone who contributed their time and energy to make this day possible.