Parents, teachers, and experts in the science field eagerly gathered in the board room on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 and watched as Pingry’s Students Modeling a Research Topic (SMART) Team presented their recent findings. The group of sophomore students used the meeting to educate their audience, including former SMART Team alumni, about their weeks spent learning about complex molecular structures.

Under the tutelage of Pingry science teacher Tommie Hata and Dr. Seth Darst of Rockefeller University, the students studied the structure and functions of prokaryotic RNA polymerase, focusing mainly on initiation of transcription (the creation of RNA from DNA). Using state-of-the-art rapid prototyping technology and visualization software, the team members created colorful physical models of RNA polymerase to assist in understanding immunology and antibiotics’ function.

A poster detailing their work was also created and displayed at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conference in San Francisco during the first week in April. Surrounded by thousands of doctorates in the field, Pingry’s team was the only high school group in attendance; yet they easily articulated the significance of their research findings and models. In addition to the models, The SMART Team created a Web tutorial, which was circulated by Dr. Darst to various (and highly impressed) scientists around world.

During their final presentation, the students used their tutorial to help identify parts of their model, while each student took turns explaining their work. When asked about their experience, the SMART team members said they were grateful for the opportunity for hands-on learning and exposure to post-graduate level work. They also felt that they had become aware of broader career choices. Moreover, the students believed that they have a better understanding of how bodies work and what scientists do. As one student said, “Real science is a different game … but science came alive in our heads. Now we can see what the scientific method is.”

The SMART Team was established by Dr. Tim Herman, who runs the Center for Biomolecular Modeling at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. The project is funded by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Each team consists of high school students and their teachers, who work with research scientists to design and construct physical models of proteins or other molecular structures that are being investigated in laboratories. This is the third year in which Pingry has run this program.

2005-2006 SMART Team Members Include:
Olivia Delia
Danika Paulo
Caroline Pinke
Taylor Sankovich
Trev Topf
Jessica Westerman
Sam Williams



© 2006 The Pingry School