Where does antibody diversity come from? A million genes? Proteins molded fr antigen shape? Interchangeable parts? Ss brainstormed ideas then worked through buffet style gene/protein menus to make unique antibodies! & they picked on my tracing... @nysmtp.bsky.social @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social

Long-term investigation in Shelter Island Marine Science. Last month we collected water samples from 3 different locations. The students filtered the water & are now examining under the microscope to see if its potentially microplastic. @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Right after the Bio Breakfast, come join me to explore the Chemistry of Protein structure @ session F-17 "Folding & Molding" upstairs in the "Directors Room" -See you there! @stanys.bsky.social @nysmtp.bsky.social @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social

On my way to Syracuse for some of the best PD of the year! @stanys.bsky.social Can't wait to see old friends & make some new ones! Personally, I'll be presenting 4 workshops and running the @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social booth! Hope to see you there! @nysmtp.bsky.social

Today on Shelter Island, we completed our first ever DNA SEQUENCING experiment! @oxfordnanopore.bsky.social 16s Barcoding -culminating 2 years of student work hopefully confirming PCR results (watch this space) we had lots of mistakes so maybe wait for trial 2 @nysmtp.bsky.social @dnalc.bsky.social

When a 'good lab result' breaks your heart. My students followed the microplastics protocols from @nyseagrant.bsky.social collecting water fr around Shelter Island & today we can see that there is indeed plastic in our Estuary. Increasing student awareness. @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

I say it every yr b/c it's TRUE. This is the single best lab! Ss spent the day doing field wk @ 3 local beaches for a Day in the Life of the Peconic Estuary documenting water quality, fauna & flora. We added sampling for microplastics! @nyseagrant.bsky.social @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Just finished a planning mtg w my co-presenter for The Biology Thread @stanys.bsky.social conference. It's just over 2 wks away! We are presenting "Making Sense of the Investigations" where we will discuss strategies for before & after the new labs. Hope to see you in Syracuse! @nysmtp.bsky.social

Shelter Island weather conditions since midnight Saturday. Pretty much everything we discussed in Marine Science last wk, consistent effects of a lingering 'Nor Easter Students are studying patterns to understand & predict local weather/climate @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Shelter Island Science has entered the Genomic Age! Or @ least started a deeper dive into Microbiomes & Bioinformatics! TY to the generous support of donors students soon will be exploring entire new frontiers of DNA Sequencing questions! @dnalc.bsky.social @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Announcing the partnership between the Town of Shelter Island + our school's Science Dept to monitor Salt Water intrusion in our drinking water. Our students will test the water + report back creating a map of the island tracking any hot spots #citizenscience @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Unexpected FUN result of collaboration w the Chemistry teacher next door -students learn spectroscopy during 1st period & later the SAME day in Science Research they learn about DNA sequencing spectroscopy w florescent labeled nucleotides! Making Science Stick @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Over 280 lbs recovered oyster shells so far from restaurant dinners as students through #LISEC Long Island Seaport & Ecology Center + Avalon Nature Preserve team up w Half Shells for Habitat's oyster shell recycling program. And we are JUST GETTING STARTED! @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Want to barcode the bay? If you're in Port Jefferson at the Farmers market, ck out the #LISEC education table @ the "Quick & Dirty Boat Build" Tons of STUDENT projects! Oyster Shell Recycling, DNA Barcoding & Microplastics @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social @cshlaboratory.bsky.social

If you're in Port Jefferson, NY, ck out the #LISEC education table @ the "Quick & Dirty Boat Build" Tons of STUDENT projects! Oyster Shell Recycling, DNA Barcoding w/ DNALC & Microplastics Both Today & Tomorrow! @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social @cshlaboratory.bsky.social

Thank you NYS Seagrant for this INCREDIBLE workshop. So many cool projects to do w students both in school & at LISEC. We examined water samples from the lake -we got fibers, but probably biological. At least we have the concept down! So excited to share! @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

What a cool experience working w teachers from across NYS on creating a programable water ROV using Arduino hardware & code to collect microplastics! TY @nyseagrant for this amazing WS! So many incredible student projects can come from this! #LISEC @stanys.bsky.social @nysmtp.bsky.social

Thank you @stanys.bsky.social for the EXCELLENT PD today "Making Science Stick" where downstate NY Science teachers worked & brainstormed the best ways to reach our students, get them EXCITED about Science, so much so -that the ideas, concepts and practices STICK! @nysmtp.bsky.social AWESOME DAY!

The Long Island Seaport & Ecology Center "LISEC" announces the start of our Oyster Shell Recycling in Port Jefferson! Working w Avalon Nature Preserve & Half Shells for Habitat we will be recycling shells from local restaurants to help restore our environment @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Thank You to the AMAZING teachers who joined from the Bahamas to Portland Oregon @ "Modeling the Molecular World" Our final day, we covered DNA replication, chromosome structure & cell division. I hope I get to work w you all again in the future! @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social @nysmtp.bsky.social

So many models So little time! Teachers explored multiple models of DNA & Genes plus transcription & translation @ day 4 of "Modeling the Molecular World" Plus, deeper dives into nucleotide chemistry, RNA structure & Ribosomes. @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Today, teachers examined how to transform old-fashioned memorization of cell parts/processes into exploration, discovery & modeling at Day 3 of "Modeling the Molecular World" they also got to explore the world of molecular visualization tools! @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social @nysmtp.bsky.social

What makes a good model? In part, it's ability to generate questions & we had tons of really deep biological ques today @ day 2 of "Modeling the Molecular World" @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social from Phosphorylation to Conformationional changes the teachers pushed the limits! @nysmtp.bsky.social

Such a fun/INCREDIBLE day working w HS/College teachers from across the country in "Modeling the Molecular World" Day 1! We covered a lot of chemistry, shapes & how it affects function! Water, Amino Acids, & Lipids -oh my! What an AWESOME group @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social @nysmtp.bsky.social

Gearing up for my second time helping to facilitate "Modeling the Molecular World" @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social Every model is prepared ✔️ Cool Science ✔️ Materials ✔️ Slides ✔️ Now I can't wait to meet our teacher participants!!!!

I used to do S³⁵ DNA polyacrylamide gel (dark room developed film) sequencing by hand (>30 years ago) which took WEEKS, to go from bug to a DNA seq & now thanks to the "Summer of Nanopore" @cshlaboratory.bsky.social I went from extraction to DNA seq in HOURS @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Starting the Summer off right w INCREDIBLE SCIENCE! Today was the first day of the "Summer of Nanopore DNA Sequencing" @cshlaboratory.bsky.social Can't wait to take HS Student DNA projects to the next level & beyond! So many projects -so little time! @stanys.bsky.social @nysmtp.bsky.social

Congratulations to the incredible teachers & students recognized tonight at our annual @stanys.bsky.social Awards dinner! Always inspiring to hear about such talented, intelligent & inventive people! Shout out to the teachers of the year! Ms. Hughes, Ms. Orlowski & Mr. Haldenwang @nysmtp.bsky.social

Saturday Science! Science teacher education leaders gathered from all over NYS for INCREDIBLE Professional Dev. -TY Paul Andersen and planning for our Fall State conference #STANYS25 Learned a ton today -reinvigorated & inspired! @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social @paulandersen.bsky.social

Sometimes you want the whole class to examine a model at the same time Using @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social models + a document camera, my students figured out protein synthesis by THEMSELVES! Shape = function No worksheets -just models + AWESOME OBSERVATIONS @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Fully funded!!!! TY to Plant Biology Exploratory Research Microgrant & the donors for supporting our project to get HS students to use Nanopore Sequencing in the classroom to study plant microbiomes! Watch this space for INCREDIBLE HS SCIENCE! @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Only a few days left to help fund our project -To get Nanopore Sequencing in the High School classroom to study plant microbiomes and comparative ecology across our Island. @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social For more information and to Donate use this link: THANK YOU! shorturl.at/8i4tG

TY to the close to 70 teachers who attended my 2 workshops today. I took very few photos... but they were tons of fun & hopefully informative! I presented "The Story in Your Genes" & "Skulls Bones & Molecules -A NYSSLS way to Explore Evolution" @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social @nysmtp.bsky.social

Over 200 Science teachers from across Long Island gathering at the STANYS Spring Conference "Brace for Impact" starting a day of incredible professional development, sharing best practices, and resources! It's going to be a fantastic day! @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

Found out how to complete a PCA analysis on hominid fossil data. Students measured multiple aspects of 3D printed skulls & mandibles you can CLEARLY see which data is better! There are lots of cool questions now @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social @johnhawks.bsky.social @evoexplorer.bsky.social

2 wks left for our funding goal! TY again to Plant Biology Exploratory Research Microgrant for supporting our project to get HS students to use Nanopore Sequencing in the classroom to study plant microbiomes! If you would like to donate: shorturl.at/8i4tG

It's #RareDiseaseDay HS students in my research class have started to study the Zinc Finger pdb file 2LAZ @rcsbpdb.bsky.social trying to understand the molecular basis for Scleroderma & potential treatments, Ss hoping to make a positive difference @nysmtp.bsky.social @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social

Early bird pricing has been extended through this weekend for Modeling the Molecular World @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social this summer at Stony Brook University! Join me August 4th - 8th for this fun, transformational week! Apply here shorturl.at/h5ONg @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

HS student Research. Using Pioreactors for a yeast project. Blue lines represent an experiment done in December, red February. Student tells me it's the same conditions both times....somethings up -this is where it gets FUN/INTERESTING! #Science @nysmtp.bsky.social @stanys.bsky.social

LI teachers! Just a few more days until early bird pricing ends on March 1st for Modeling the Molecular World @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social this summer at Stony Brook University! Join me August 4th - 8th for this transformational week! Apply here shorturl.at/h5ONg @nysmtp.bsky.social

3 wks left for our funding goal! TY again to Plant Biology Exploratory Research Microgrant for supporting our project to get HS students to use Nanopore Sequencing in the classroom to study plant microbiomes! If you would like to donate: shorturl.at/8i4tG

Thank you to Plant Biology Exploratory Research Microgrant www.experiment.com for supporting our project to get HS students to use Nanopore Sequencing in the classroom to study plant microbiomes! If you would like to help us reach our funding goal, go to shorturl.at/8i4tG

Long Island Biology teachers, it's FINALLY HERE -we have our own Modeling the Molecular World this summer at Stony Brook University! Join me August 4th - 8th for this transformational week! Early bird pricing ends March 1st! Apply here shorturl.at/h5ONg @nysmtp.bsky.social

Proud to announce - tonight I was named to the Long Island Seaport and Ecology Center's (LISEC) board of Directors! I will be in charge of Educational outreach & Environmental Programs. Inspiring Environmental Stewards! @nysmtp.bsky.social oh & we are building a cool boat too!

Thank you @hhmi.bsky.social for an AMAZING workshop! Such a great way to spend a Saturday with awesome teachers @nysmtp.bsky.social exploring data analysis tools for the HS classroom through the lens of evolution! Also fun to see old friends & colleagues!

Student CURIOSITY persevered over FAILURE! She wanted an unusual DNA mystery. She ex books from the 1790's to determine what the covers were made of. PCR neg for plant & animal. She looked for contamination & found tons of informative chemistry! @nysmtp.bsky.social

Celebrating the 60th annual Shelter Island Science Fair, which was held today! All students grades 7-9 participate, doing original controlled experiments based on what interests THEM! #NYSSLS @nysmtp.bsky.social

LI Science Teachers -Do you have some fun/fantastic ways that NYSSLS is working in your classroom? Want to share? Sign up to do a WS for the STANYS Spring Conference -March 6 2025 @ BNL I plan on doing at least 2-3 WS's @nysmtp.bsky.social Submissions due 1/7 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

More Beta testing of models we dev last summer. Ss 'discovered' the Endosymbiotic theory on their own. Finding similarities between models ss asked "could they be related?" Not pictured are the microscope images used & DNA/Ribosome discussion @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social @nysmtp.bsky.social

SS Beta tested an mRNA vaccine design challenge by @3dmoleculardesigns.bsky.social w/ my own twist. SS modeled mRNA from SarsCOV2 Spike protein & published vaccine seq. Noting sim & diff. Using a structural RNA simulator, we ex the SHAPES of the unmodified mRNA & w pseudouridine! @nysmtp.bsky.social