Bioinformatics - Genetics Research

Tropical Field Research

During the Seeds of Change Tropical Rainforest Research Program, students are immersed in a hands-on field research program that takes advantage of the immense biodiversity of the tropical rainforest. They learn how to apply the scientific method while collaborating with team members to establish their original research question as well as the experimental design for their project. Students work together to implement their research and learn how to work as a team to overcome challenges and rebound from failures within resource and time constraints, just as in any real-world project. They use statistics to validate the results of their experiments and give presentations showing the results of their work, just like any research scientist would!

The Tropical Field Research program prepares students for university-level science. Students learn how to work as a team, handle differences, and take advantage of the ways others communicate best. Students use TypeCoach to help navigate team-member differences. They learn and apply the most appropriate experimental designs, apply key statistical analysis techniques, and present their research in Costa Rica and their community at home.

Seeds of Change seeks to train young biology students in comparative microbial bioinformatics to give them a leg up in this burgeoning field. Students study microbial bioinformatics because microbes are central to all environments on the planet, drive biogeochemical cycles, and perform functions vital to all life forms. Before students travel to Costa Rica, they are introduced to the Joint Genome Institute’s (JGI) Integrated Microbial Genomes and Microbiomes (IMG/M) platform, a gateway to sophisticated genome databases and analysis tools. The five interactive pre-trip modules present a seminal case study that applies the fundamentals of genetics (DNA structure, replication, transcription, translation and gene regulation) to an insect-bacteria symbiotic relationship. Once in Costa Rica, students work with a partner to generate their original research question and use their new-found expertise in microbial bioinformatics to develop a poster of their research.
Students engage in off-site activities that include guided hikes in the cloud forest, a zipline adventure in the cloud forest, a coffee tour, a horseback ride in the cloud forest, and a sea turtle marine research experience.

Seeds of Change Research

Sales Wolves

Seeds of Change, Inc. (SOC Research) is a non-profit organization in Minnesota dedicated to inspiring high school students to pursue careers in science. They achieve this by giving students firsthand experience in scientific research on real-world issues facing our planet. These immersive programs go beyond traditional classroom learning and aim to spark a lifelong passion for science in participants.

SOC believes that true scientific engagement comes from allowing students to actively participate in the discovery process. Their programs provide a space for students to ask questions, explore independently, and learn from both successes and failures. This fosters important skills like critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and perseverance, all crucial for success in science an...

Seeds of Change, Inc. (SOC Research) is a non-profit organization in Minnesota dedicated to inspiring high school students to pursue careers in science. They achieve this by giving students firsthand experience in scientific research on real-world issues facing our planet. These immersive programs go beyond traditional classroom learning and aim to spark a lifelong passion for science in participants.

SOC believes that true scientific engagement comes from allowing students to actively participate in the discovery process. Their programs provide a space for students to ask questions, explore independently, and learn from both successes and failures. This fosters important skills like critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and perseverance, all crucial for success in science and beyond.

Students participating in SOC's 10-day programs in Costa Rica can earn college credits for their research experiences and delve deeper into the wonders of the natural world through various activities. These include hiking, swimming, visiting waterfalls, learning about sea turtles, and even taking surfing, chocolate-making, and horseback riding lessons.

Seeds of Change, Inc. (SOC Research) is a non-profit organization in Minnesota dedicated to inspiring high school students to pursue careers in science. They achieve this by giving students firsthand experience in scientific research on real-world issues facing our planet. These immersive programs go beyond traditional classroom learning and aim to spark a lifelong passion for science in participa...

Costa Rica is beyond beautiful and the perfect landscape to partake in field research!

A wonderful experience!

My partner in research and I after qualifying for the International Science and Engineering Fair. Our research studied the effects of Schizophrenia on the oral microbiome.

The Bioinformatics Program Changed My Life!

This is the view students wake up to in the bioinformatics program in the Monteverde Research station.

These trips were the definition of Life-changing.

Costa Rica

Study Abroad

High School

I attended the Tropical Field Research program the summer after my freshman year in High School. It was an amazing experience to be able to perform research far more advanced then anything I would learn in my High School courses. Being able to create an original experiment and collect data to test our hypothesis definitely prepared me for the rigor of college courses. Additionally, it was so eye opening to learn all about Costa Rican culture and spend 10 days immersed within it. Some highlights include, a cooking class with a local woman, swimming in breathtaking waterfalls and looking for nesting turtles on the beach. Additionally, the research staff are wonderful and the food is beyond incredible. I cannot recommend this program enough, it is definitely part of the reason that I am pursuing a STEM focused career today!

I cannot recommend the Bioinformatics program enough. Under the mentorship of amazing staff, my science partner and I were able to complete actual research that qualified us for one of the most prestigious science fairs in the nation (ISEF). Additionally, I was able to advance my spanish skills and partake in so many wonderful cultural experiences. In fact, our stay with a host family in El Jobo and being able to partake in sea turtle research inspired me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. I still speak to the friends I made on this trip and the memories we made will last a lifetime. The staff are amazing and the program has prepared me for both my college studies and life beyond. It is truly a gift that keeps on giving.

I did the first and second year of this program and they were the two best trips of my life.  It almost makes me sad knowing that I won’t be able to have an experience as good as these again.  I made friends on these trips from every walk of life and state in America and I’ve kept up with them to great degrees.  The organizers of the program have every detail accounted for and when things inevitably go wrong plans seamlessly merge and go forward without a hitch.  The science performed in both years is invaluable for anyone desiring to go into the STEM field and has set me up for success in not just my high school science classes but in college as well.  The research performed with scientists from the best universities in the world will make every participant on the shortlist for doing research when they arrive in their college of choice.
Both of these 10 day trips changed who I am and why I do what I do.  Every day I woke up to the view (pictured below) and wondered if the whole thing was a dream.  I will never look at my life the same and hope that every person can have a similar experience with Seeds of Change.

Helped me grow in more ways than I ever thought possible

I want to start off by saying that this trip changed how I view my interactions with my friends, family, and teachers. 

I went with a group of 14 students which allowed everyone to have one on one time with the wonderful instructors and become close with all the other students.
Because this program is so special (compared to other research fields, bioinformatics is less mainstream), I received a scholarship to attend from a local organization and I highly recommend speaking with your community about raising money for your trip. 

Some of my information may be outdated but most of it should be similar. 

Day to day: My trip included eight days of classroom learning (broken up by activities such as day and night hiking, swimming in waterfalls, zip lining, coffee plantation tour, bat tour, horseback riding to a natural hot spring, grocery store shopping (so much fun because you get to experience everyday life in Costa Rica). We also got a considerable amount of time to explore a local town to get souvenirs and experience new food. 
For the first eight days we spent half the day in the classroom working on our original projects and the other half doing activities (first and last day were just research).
The last two days were spent by the cost and celebrating having accomplished our research goals! We went swimming both days and went on a sea turtle patrol at night. We also got to take a boat to a snorkel area and we had guides to show us the different fish. They did not have enough fins for small feet so those of us who were strong swimmers swam without fins but the water was very calm so it ended up being ok but a bit tiring. We also got to tag a sea turtle! 

Food: I would classify myself as a pickier eater than the average person, but I had something to eat every single meal. They had accommodations for all sorts of dietary restrictions so if food is something you’re worried about, don’t (I will say that I brought some high-protein energy bars just in case and I did occasionally need to rely on those. If you’re an extremely picky eater I would recommend bringing something to supplement meals with because there is a lot of physical activity on this trip). 
There was coffee and hot chocolate pretty much 24/7 and fresh cookies on occasion. 

Pro tips:
-Make mochas during your work breaks.
-Pick a room and hang out with the other students.
-Bring cards or come prepared with games like truth or dare/never have I ever.
-Journal! My roommates and I had a journaling session every night before bed (this can just be on your phone).
-Bring water shoes, rash guard/sun-shirt, and leggings to snorkel in, there were some jellyfish. They were too bad but they were sometimes annoying and I was happy to have my leggings when I was snorkeling. 
-If you can bring more than one swimsuit…I wore a soaking wet swimsuit multiple times because I made this mistake.
-Do the pre-trip work!!!
-If you don’t get along with another student, talk it out. Avoid drama.
-Be open, this trip will push you, but it’s worth it.
-Everyone on your trip is going to be super interesting and smart—including you. Don’t doubt your abilities <3. 

If you’re thinking about doing this trip, do it.

P.s. 
Thanks for reading, I know this was a long review but I had so much to say. I hope you have a great time on this trip or wherever your adventures take you :).
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
I apologize if there are any typos…

Incredible experience!

The SOC tropical research trip was a wonderful experience for me! I loved having the opportunity to work with professionals and academics, and the experience was great for my resume. The country and culture is also beautiful. I highly recommend this if you are considering it!

Student Determined Experiments

I was in a group of 4 students and we decided to test the leaf cutter ant’s reaction to a change in the pH of their fungal garden. We got to come up with our own question and create multiple experiments around the question.

Best Memory of Summer

This trip was so fun. Everything from the food, horseback riding, and the hikes into waterfalls were just perfect. The academics were challenging but fun and this trip really grew me as a person. Wish I could experience it again.

An incredible science immersion experience!

This trip was my first time out of the country, as well as my first time experiencing true science research. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone who is interested in biology-based science research and travel.

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