STEM Launch students learn about cells in a soapy way

STEM Launch students have been busy learning about all kinds of new things this school year. Check out their 7th grade scientists in action comparing their bubble structures to cell membranes! Bubbles are a great way to study the properties of cell membranes. For one thing, they're chemically alike. Both soap molecules and phospholipid molecules — which make up cell membranes — are amphipathic, meaning they have hydrophilic (water-loving) heads and hydrophobic (water-hating) tails.

Agnes Pockels made new discoveries about cell membranes and surface tension in the 1880s when she was doing dishes and noticing bubble structure and the effects of soap on water. We love to celebrate female scientists and diverse role models in STEM!

This story exemplifies our ELEVATE Focus Area: Diverse Learning. Sharing stories of how students receive engaging learning experiences and the focused-attention they need through appropriate student-to-staff ratios and varied programming.