Nantucket High School Students Dive into Real-World Science at Marine Biological Laboratory

The Egan Maritime Institute recently sponsored a group of Nantucket High School (NHS) students to participate in the Marine Biological Laboratory’s (MBL) High School Science Discovery Program in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The immersive three-day experience introduced students to hands-on, real-world scientific research alongside leading marine scientists.

Under the guidance of Dr. Karen Echeverri, Associate Scientist at MBL, the group of island students explored advanced laboratory techniques including fluorescence microscopy, zebrafish development, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Participants successfully knocked out three genes in zebrafish embryos and observed the resulting developmental effects, gaining firsthand insight into modern genetic research.

“I’ve never seen them before. They look unworldly,” said student Edward Holland while examining a translucent sea anemone under the microscope, capturing the sense of wonder sparked by hands-on discovery.

Nantucket High School marine science teacher Heather Ring and Egan Maritime educator Sonia Scherr emphasized the value of participating alongside students.

“Heather and I enjoyed doing the labs alongside the students; our participation provided a model for them while allowing us to learn too,” said Scherr. “We’re thrilled that Nantucket High School students were able to take part in MBL’s High School Science Discovery Program, and we hope to continue this partnership on an annual basis. The program encourages curiosity and critical thinking and gives students a firsthand understanding of what scientific inquiry entails and why it matters.”

Beyond laboratory work, students toured MBL’s facilities, including the Marine Resources Center, axolotl room, and Automated Aquatics Facility. They also participated in a career panel with MBL postdoctoral researchers and research assistants and engaged in thoughtful discussions on the ethics of gene editing.

“The partnership with Egan Maritime has provided many opportunities for our students to engage in applied learning in the field of marine science,” said Mandy Hilemn, Principal of Nantucket High School. “We are extremely fortunate to have Egan Maritime’s generous support, which greatly enriches our students’ educational experiences.”

The program is open to Nantucket High School sophomores through seniors who have completed introductory biology. Through its partnership with MBL, Egan Maritime Institute continues to expand hands-on STEM opportunities for local students and hopes to offer the program annually.

“At Egan Maritime, our educational programs provide diverse, hands-on learning opportunities for Nantucket students at every stage of their academic journey,” said Carlisle Jensen, executive director of Egan Maritime Institute. “This program exemplifies the work we do beyond the classroom to help cultivate the next generation of maritime and science professionals.”