Community ‘Maker’ Lab Launches First Public Program

This past weekend, area kids had the opportunity to harvest and amplify their own DNA—and put it on a T-shirt.

The program was the first public weekend event at The Citizen Science Lab in the Hill District’s former Connelly Trade School. Pittsburgh’s first community biomedical lab is a collaboration started with foundation funding by Duquesne University and Urban Innovation 21

“The Citizen Science Lab is one of the very few community biomedical labs in the country,” said Dr. Alan Seadler, associate academic vice president for research and technology, who was critical in obtaining grant funding for the lab. “Not only does it promote science among children but, very importantly, it reaches into the entire community. Duquesne and Urban Innovation 21 are partnering to meet the national goals of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, and Duquesne continues its mission of service to its neighbors, particularly underserved communities.”

The programs at The Citizen Science Lab are designed to spark the interest of young people in the life sciences. “It is crucial that we address the lack of science opportunities in our communities by providing fun and engaging experiments that keep the students interested in life sciences as an attainable career option,” said Dr. Andre Samuel, director of the lab and a doctoral graduate of Duquesne’s biological sciences program.

The next weekend program at The Citizen Science Lab, slated for Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25, will focus on genetic modification of plant cells. A limited number of scholarships are available.