The Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) in partnership with the Sussex County Science Fair Committee, hosted its fourth annual Sussex Science Night on Wednesday, Oct. 4 in Seaford, Delaware. More than 120 students, parents, teachers, and public officials engaged in hands-on science activities at Seaford Middle School to demonstrate the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) training and jobs to the community.

The afterschool event brought together students from more than different schools from throughout Sussex County. John Koh, director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, welcomed and thanked the host, coordinators, teachers, sponsors and State Rep. Harvey Kenton for attending.

The University of Delaware is a partner in the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, which connects government, academia,and industry to help establish the First State as a center of excellence in biotechnology and the life sciences.

As a part of DBI's Science for All Delawareans program, the Sussex Science Night is designed to engage middle school students with science through fun and educational hands-on experiments. The Sussex Science Night is an effort to encourage students to study science by exposing them to exciting hands-on experiences.

Students and their parents performed three experiments that highlighted the three pillars of research at DBI: human health, agriculture, and the environment. Participants had the opportunity to learn about micro-organisms found in local water systems. They observed bacterial growth in samples of pond water and tap water to see how the water treatment process makes their water safe to drink, which is vital to human health.

Attendees viewed a living micro-organism, the Tardigade (also called Water Bear), under a microscope.  Students and their parents explored the DNA in strawberries, the study of which helps in understanding traits in plants and animals important for agriculture. Participants learned about chemical fertilizers used in agriculture and their potential effects on the environment. This exercise introduced alternative methods being developed by DBI researchers to promote symbiotic relationships between legumes, such as pea plants, with naturally-occurring bacteria.  The symbiosis helps the plant obtain the nutrients needed for growth without the use of chemical fertilizers.  

“It was great to have this type of event on the western side of the county,” said James Cameron, principal of Sussex Middle School. “What a pleasure it was to see the students working with their parents on science activities. Both the students and the parents enjoyed the educational activities throughout the evening.”

These experiments formed part of a theme used by the Science for All Delawareans initiative related to “small changes” that can have “big effects.”  Different classrooms hosted various activities led by student volunteers working toward their doctoral degree in the sciences at UD, and UD research faculty. This event was made possible by the many volunteers including Amanda Rosier, the DBI Townsend Fellow, the UD student and faculty volunteers, the support from the Sussex County Science, and the faculty and staff at Seaford Middle School.  

About Delaware Biotechnology Institute

The Delaware Biotechnology Institute is a partnership between government, academia, and industry to help establish the First State as a center of excellence in biotechnology and the life sciences. DBI promotes research, education, and technology transfer for biotechnology applications to the benefit of the environment, agriculture, and human health.