Phoenix

NEWS OF THE SCHOOL
Smith College begins partnership with Park Tudor
Throughout the world, only
172 students have had the
opportunity to analyze a segment
of their DNA to determine
if they carry a certain “taster”
gene – and 140 of them are
Park Tudor biology students!
Thanks to a generous grant
from Park Tudor alumnus
Dob Bennett ’76 and his wife
Deborah, students in Upper
School biology and AP biology
classes had the unique
opportunity in January to participate
in sophisticated DNA
experiments led by four Smith
College professors. The professors’
visit was the first in a
planned annual collaboration
with Smith College faculty to
work with students in a variety
of disciplines.
Drs. Bob Merritt, Steve
Williams, Sandra Laney and
Lori Saunders from the Smith
College Biological Sciences
Department spent the week of
January 22-27 leading students
in two projects related to genetics
and DNA. The professors
are involved in the Smith Summer
Science and Engineering
Program and an annual Molecular
Biology “Boot Camp” for
elite scientists from corporate
and molecular research centers
around the world.
Upper School Director Jill
Kaechele coordinated the overall
project with Park Tudor
Science Department Chair
Steve Math and faculty members
Justin Dammeier, Mark
Dewart and Scott McDougall.
In one experiment, students
tasted a piece of paper infused
with phenylthiocarbamide
(PTC) to see if they could
taste the bitter, burned taste
of the chemical – a common
lab done with Middle School
science students. (Only about
70% of the population has the
ability to taste PTC – the other
30% does not carry the tasting
gene.) What made this experiment
special, however, is that
the Smith College professors
then taught the students how
to swab their cheek for a DNA
sample and analyze the results
to determine the genotype to
which they belong.
“This genetics laboratory...requires
students to use
not only their knowledge of
molecular techniques in genetics
but also their knowledge
of Mendelian genetics, population
genetics, probability,
and pedigree analysis...and in
determining their PTC phenotype
and genotype, students
are learning something themselves,”
write the professors.
Students said they found
the subject matter challenging,
adding that it gave them a
preview of what their college
studies would be like.
Rosalind Kelcourse ’10
wrote, “Not only did I discover
a great amount about the
myriad of opportunities open
to me, I also was inspired
to begin studying philosophy.
And yes, there is a connection
between little bits of DNA
resting peacefully in a well and
‘life’s big questions.’ I plan on
pursuing my newfound fascination
until my breath is taken
away. I am proud to be one of
the few people in the world
who knows their genotype.”
Students also learned more
about genetics by participating
in a mock crime scene
investigation, determining
who committed a “murder”
by conducting DNA testing of
a blood sample found at the
“crime scene.” The processes
remained confidential, with
only the individual students
having access to their personal
DNA results.
In addition to the classroom
work, the Smith College professors
met with young women
in the freshman, sophomore
and junior classes to provide
them with information about
summer course and program
Smith College professor Dr. Bob Merritt shows AP biology student Alexander
Zience ’08 how to set up an experiment to identify a segment of DNA.
offerings at Smith College,
including possible financial
aid.
Freshman Miranda Voege
said, “This [program] showed
me that not only can men be
established people in the science
world. Women can be
just as established. Men aren’t
necessarily better at math and
science.”
During the professors’
visit, the Smith College Club
of Indianapolis (of which the
treasurer is Park Tudor parent
Wendy Ponader ’78) hosted a
tea for the professors, alumni
and prospective students. Park
Tudor sponsored a reception
for the Smith faculty, Indianapolis-based
scientists from
Eli Lilly and Company and
other laboratories, participating
faculty and AP Biology
students to begin the groundwork
for possible program
linkages for our students and
faculty in the sciences such
as internships, summer programs,
equipment, grants and
independent study. Park Tudor
parents Jim Thomas and Kathy
and Dan Hasler helped coordinate
the meeting.
Tentative plans for the 2007-
08 school year call for a focus
on the arts, with visiting Smith
College fine arts professors
working with students.
The Smith College program
is a component of Park Tudor’s
strategic management plan,
“PT 2010,” which calls for
the school to host guest lecturers
and visiting scholars who
represent a variety of cultural
perspectives and interests.
SPRING 2007 PARK TUDOR PHOENIX 5