We’re Fostering the Future of Science...on the Road!

The Southern Research campus in Birmingham, AL is undergoing major renovations and construction to better champion Birmingham's biotech ecosystem and better serve the greater Alabama community. While our STEM Education Outreach Center is closed, our staff will be out on the road to engage your students in hands-on experiments and STEM experiences with real-world applications from the comfort of their own classrooms.

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In-School Experiences

Provide your students with an opportunity to engage in critical thinking and problem-solving while exploring the cutting-edge work conducted by Southern Research scientists, all from your very own classroom. Our STEM Education Outreach team will bring everything you need for your students to take a 90 minute, hands-on scientific journey into a topic that aligns with the Alabama Course of Study and exposes them to careers in STEM.

Requests for spring 2025 are now open. Please click the link below to submit a request.

Request an In-School Field Trip

In-School Field Trip Experiences

High School Field Trips

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Not Just a Phage!
(9th Grade Biology; AP & Dual Enrollment Biology)

Have you ever imagined a world where a mere sneeze could become a showdown? Where common infections gear up like superheroes? Welcome to the Antibiotic Apocalypse – a world in which antibiotics can no longer defeat common infections. A world where strep throat could again be fatal. Students will break down this doomsday scenario with a little game of chance. They will explore how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and illustrate how misuse can generate selection pressures for some bacteria to flourish. Trust us, it's not just a phage! *Full experience is 45 minutes.

Class size is limited to 32 students; can be repeated for multiple classes.
Disease Diagnostics: Using PCR to Diagnose Cystic Fibrosis
(AP & Dual Enrollment Biology)

Students will be introduced to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and how it can be used to diagnose disease. Students will participate in a hands-on activity to model the steps of PCR and how it can be used to detect and amplify specific genetic sequences, including genetic mutations. Students will be given ready-to-load DNA samples from patients interested in finding out their disease status for Cystic Fibrosis. After analyzing the gel, students will be tasked with building a family pedigree to illustrate their findings and to also predict the disease state of other family members. *Full experience is 90 minutes but can be split into two 45-minute sessions across two days for those on 50-minute period schedules.

Class size is limited to 32 students; can be repeated for multiple classes.
Intro to Catalyst: Using Precision Medicine to Treat Cancer
(AP & Honors Biology)

In this immersive experience, students step into the role of genetic researchers, first calculating polygenic risk scores (PRS) and assessing environmental factors to estimate lung cancer risk in fictional patients. They then apply PCR and gel electrophoresis techniques to identify biomarkers, using these findings to determine the most effective, personalized treatment for each case. This hands-on journey gives students a powerful look into how modern medicine combines genetics and diagnostics to tailor treatments. *Full experience is 90 minutes but can be split into two 45-minute sessions across two days for those on 50 minute period schedules.

Class size is limited to 32 students; can be repeated for multiple classes.
Using DNA to Diagnose & Understand Disease
(9th Grade Biology)

Students will be introduced to a family interested in finding out whether their child has the disease, Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Students will use gel electrophoresis to detect a mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene and determine if the individuals do or do not have the disease or if they are a carrier for CF. Following the diagnosis, students will learn about the Central Dogma of biology and its role in individuals who have Cystic Fibrosis. Through a hands-on activity, students will transcribe, translate, and synthesize the CFTR protein – a critical chloride protein channel. They will then use the 3D protein models to discuss how a mutation in the CFTR gene can result in improper protein function, which results in the key symptoms seen in those with CF. *Full experience is 90 minutes but can be split into two 45-minute sessions across two days for those on 50-minute period schedules.

Class size is limited to 32 students; can be repeated for multiple classes.

Middle School Field Trips

Doggone Tasty Genetics
(7th Grade Life Sciences)

Students will learn about the inheritance of traits through a hands-on activity where they will use information from alleles to “build” their very own science lab(rador retriever). They will then use Punnett squares to illustrate how traits are passed from parents to offspring and determine if the traits are dominant, recessive, etc. Students will then engage in an experiment to determine if they can taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC). Students will use data analysis to determine the phenotypic and genotypic ratios of their class and participate in a discussion about genetic mutations. *Full experience is 90 minutes but can be split into two 45-minute sessions across two days for those on 50-minute period schedules.

Class size is limited to 32 students; can be repeated for multiple classes.
Molecular Medicine
(8th Grade Physical Science)

Take a step into the world of pharmacology as we learn about the drug development process. Students will engage in a hands-on activity that uses molecular models to illustrate the structure, composition, and characteristics of common medicines. Students will then analyze the steps of a chemical reaction as they explore various elements of the periodic table before they are combined to make a new substance. *Full experience is 45 minutes, or a one day experience.

Class size is limited to 32 students; can be repeated for multiple classes.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND FIELD TRIPS OFFERED AT SOUTHERN RESEARCH?

We provide in-school field trip experiences for 6th – 12th grade students. For K-5 student experiences, please check out our Elementary Outreach page

HOW DO I REQUEST AN IN-SCHOOL FIELD TRIP VISIT WITH SOUTHERN RESEARCH?

Please fill out the request form and you will receive a confirmation email from our STEM team. Please note this form is a request for that date and in-school field trip experience, and it does not lock in your reservation until you receive official confirmation from our STEM team.

HOW MANY IN-SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS CAN I REQUEST IN A SINGLE SCHOOL YEAR?

Our funding enables us to serve the entire state of Alabama, thus we must limit in-school field trip requests to one request per teacher per year. You may submit additional requests for other subjects that we can put on our waitlist, and if we have availability, we will reach out to you. 

WHAT DATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR IN-SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS?

Please take a look at our calendar under In-School Field Trip Experiences. The calendar lists all open and available dates for in-school field trips.

WHAT IS THE COST OF AN IN-SCHOOL FIELD TRIP?

All Southern Research in-school field trips are free! These opportunities are made possible through support from the State of Alabama.

HOW MANY STUDENTS CAN ATTEND?

We can serve a class size of 32 students, and we can serve multiple class periods of the same subject within the same visit (e.g., we can do activities with 4 classes of biology students).

WHAT TIME DOES THE IN-SCHOOL FIELD TRIP START AND END?

We've designed these activities to fit within a 45-minute or 90-minute class period. We will use your school's class schedule to determine the start and end of each session with your students (e.g., 2nd period - 8:55-9:45 AM). 

ARE WE ALLOWED TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS?

Yes! We strongly encourage you to take photos and videos. Please tag us @SRSTEMOutreach on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?

In the event you must cancel your in-school field trip, please contact us no later than 48 hours prior to our visit. Please contact stem@southernresearch.org to cancel your in-school field trip, with the subject line: In-School Field Trip Cancellation.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER CANCELLATION POLICY?

In the event of severe weather, our top priority is the safety of you, your students, and our staff. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel due to severe weather. We will do our best to reschedule your in-school field trip, pending availability. Please contact stem@southernresearch.org to cancel your in-school field trip, with the subject line: In-School Field Trip Cancellation.

WHO LEADS THE FIELD TRIPS?

Our in-school field trips are led by the experienced members of our STEM Education Outreach team, Dr. Kathryn Lanier, Ms. Molly Langston, Mr. Shon Essex, and our pre-service educator fellows.

WHAT DO I NEED FOR YOUR VISIT?

We will provide all the necessary supplies, materials, and content for your students to successfully participate in all activities. At most, we will need something to display a PowerPoint presentation and access to electrical outlets for lab equipment.

WHAT IF I DON’T SEE AN OPTION FOR MY CLASS?

If you don't see an in-school field trip experience that fits your class, don't despair! Please check back in spring 2025 for new in-school field trip offerings. If you have any questions, please email stem@southernresearch.org.

STEM Calendar