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“Welcome to Clark. Let’s do science ‘- Clark now

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Spratt Lab North High Students 03 Mar 2025 8 Web Scaled.jpg
Secondary students work in the chemistry laboratory

It could be spring vacation for Clark students last week, but not for teacher Don Spratt at the Gustaf H. Carlson chemistry school and biochemistry. Spratt opened the school’s laboratories to nearly 80 advanced students in biology and biotechnology of three local secondary schools, guiding them in college experiences.

Professor Don Spratt shows a student from North High School how to grind cell material with a mortar and a pestle.
Professor Don Spratt shows a student of North High School how to grind jellyfish cells with a mortar and a pestle, releasing cell proteins, a crucial step towards isolate and purify them for a more in -depth study.
North High School students examine a liquid tube.
North High School students measure the liquid sample containing cells and their proteins before transferring it to a central fuge. Biologists and biochemists use the device to run high -speed samples, isolate and purify proteins.

“The reason we do it is to make students welcome on campus and allow students to feel that they can also do science. The whole MO is to say: “Welcome to Clark. Let’s do science, ” said Spratt at Worcester Telegram and Gazette.

Students of the North High School put laboratory experiences.
Above, the students of the North – accompanied by their teachers, including the former Clark, Rick Howarth, president of the School Department of Sciences, March 3 – work with cellular materials of the Medusa. They used a vortex mixer to quickly turn and break the tufts of cells, the “remino” like unique cells floating in liquid. “Each group had a different colored protein,” said Spratt. Students have had a taste for basic research in biochemistry laboratories, where scientists seek to understand the structure and functionality of proteins, with the aim of developing new drugs to fight cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and other human diseases.
Two North High School students use a mortar for grinding cell material.
North High School students use a mortar to grind cells with sand and break cell membranes, releasing proteins.
Professor Don Spratt speaks to students from the North High School before carrying out laboratory experiences.
Professor Don Spratt talks to the students of the North High School before carrying out experiences in the laboratory on March 3. During three additional days of the release week, he welcomed another group of students from North, as well as others from the Eagle Hill School in Hardwick and Nipmuc Régional High School in Upton. The regional students of Nipmuc were accompanied by their teacher, the former student of Clark, James Gorman.

Last fall, New England Biolabs, a life science company based in Ipswich, Massachusetts, has given Spratt its passion in science prize for the launch of the Clark STEM program, which aims to inspire high school students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Since his arrival in Clark in 2015, he has invited hundreds of students from local high schools to his laboratory for visits, workshops and research experiences. Spratt has also directed the first cycle research opportunities from Clark de Clark to Stem, who, he says, evolves towards a program of the academic year.

“The fact is that we want to improve scientific literacy, help students are interested in biotechnology and strengthen the biotechnological economy of Massachusetts,” said Spratt. “We want students to feel that science is a viable career path for them. And it is an excellent opportunity to get their hands and live what it is to be on a university campus before registering in a school. »»

In May and June, Spratt will welcome more students and their teachers from 10 other schools – University Park Campus School, Worcester Technical School, South High Community School, Doherty Memorial High School and Burncoat High School, all in Worcester; Leicester High School of Leicester; David Prouty High School in Spencer; Montachusett Régional vocational High School in Fitchburg; Grafton High School Grafton; and Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough.

Photos of Steven King, university photographer

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