High School Students Step Into Real-World Research in RWU Labs

BRISTOL, R.I. - Portsmouth High School students traded classroom theory for active research last month, stepping into Roger Williams University labs to explore how ocean science is shaping real-world environmental solutions.

Hosted by RWU's Center for Economic & Environmental Development(CEED) at the Feinstein School of Social and Natural Sciences(SSNS), the visit immersed STEM students in coral research and marine biotechnology through a blend of discussion and hands-on learning. The experience offered a closer look at how marine science intersects with pressing environmental challenges.

"This is a chance to see concepts we've learned in class actually happening in real life," said Sean Gray, a senior at Portsmouth High School.

The visit was led by RWU students alongside Koty Sharp, CEED Director and Associate Professor of Marine Biology, who opened with a lecture on coral biology and reef ecosystems. She explained that while coral reefs cover less than 0.2 percent of the ocean, they support more than a quarter of marine life and play a critical role in coastal protection, tourism, and medical research. Sharp also pointed to the growing threat of climate change, with projections that up to 70 percent of coral reefs could be lost by 2050.

Koty Sharp speaks to STEM students about Rhode Island's state coral, Astrangia poculata, which researchers use as a model organism to better understand tropical coral systems.

A central focus of the discussion was Rhode Island's state coral, Astrangia poculata, which researchers use as a model organism to better understand tropical coral systems. Unlike many tropical corals, this species can survive with or without symbiotic algae, making it especially useful for studying resilience, disease resistance, and environmental stress. Through this lens, students explored concepts such as symbiosis, coral bleaching, and the role of the microbiome in maintaining coral health.

In the lab, students worked alongside RWU student mentors to examine coral samples, observe polyp structures, and explore bacterial communities living on and within the coral. Demonstrations also highlighted coral feeding behavior and examined how climate change may be altering coral dormancy cycles.

For senior Jyoti Ram Dass, the experience reinforced both her interests and future goals.

"I'm looking forward to building lab skills for future classes and careers," she said. "My favorite part is how hands-on this class is. I'm grateful to be here."

Gray echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the value of applying classroom knowledge in a real lab setting.

"I'm just looking to try to use some of the types of skills we learn to bring into whatever career path I choose, which could be biomedical engineering or other sciences," he said. "I really enjoyed doing lab work and getting to try things I wasn't able to do anywhere else in the school. Each of the classes gave something a little bit different, and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. It's definitely something I'm looking to potentially follow in college and as a professional career."

The day also offered RWU students an opportunity to strengthen their communication skills.

"Opportunities like this are really great for learning how to communicate science in different ways," said junior Mia Sarris, a double major in Environmental Scienceand Engineeringwith a minor in Mathematics. "We're learning to adapt and change the way that we think about our work and tailoring it to a younger audience."

The partnership with RWU is part of a broader effort to connect high school students with active scientific research.

The visit reflects a broader effort to connect high school students with real-world scientific research through partnerships between schools and institutions such as Roger Williams University. Portsmouth High School science department chair Nicole Noble emphasized the importance of building skills that extend beyond the classroom.

"We really want students to gain transferable skills that they can use no matter what field they go into," Noble said. "At the high school level, they're learning how to use thermal cyclers, run PCR reactions, and perform gel electrophoresis."

She added that students often see long-term benefits from this preparation.

"Students have told me that when they got to college, they had already done many of the labs in their freshman courses," she said.

With a curriculum focused on hands-on learning and real-world application, Portsmouth High School's bioscience program continues to prepare students for future opportunities in STEM. Experiences like the visit to SSNS help bridge the gap between classroom learning and active research while introducing students to potential academic and career pathways.