Bryan Wilson
Nov 22, 2022
This fall, 20 intrepid young science correspondents (all in elementary school) from the Bureau of Fearless Ideas embarked on a four-week investigative project to get the scoop on all the science (and waterfalls) going on at their local Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, WA. Below you’ll see the first installation of our Fearless Times series detailing their findings — including exclusive interviews with scientists, detailed field recordings (including field illustrations), and even a few flights of science fiction found along the way.… Enjoy!
(Above: young scientists extract DNA from strawberries)
“A Tour of Fred Hutch”
By: Isabel L. (Oct. 22, 2022)
The Fred Hutch Field Trip is finally here! Today I visited Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, located in Seattle, WA. Fred Hutch Cancer Center is important because it helps find treatments for cancer.
During my visit I saw a waterfall, a library, and even a portrait of Fred Hutchinson. I extracted DNA from strawberries, and used a pipette to make water color art.
I spoke to Emily who works at Fred Hutch as a scientist who studies BRAINS! Emily told me, “I know how to box!”.
What I want other kids to know about Fred Hutch Cancer Center is that it’s really big and cool. There’s even a cafe there! There are also plenty of science labs.
“Field Trip to Fred Hutch”
By Matti D.
On October 22nd, 2022, a bunch of kids went to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. Everyone there got to visit their amazing labs and the research library. The kids got to see the DNA in strawberries and make stains with pipettes. They got to interview scientists (like Violet) and then they went on a scavenger hunt through the Thomas Building. It was awesome!
“Fred Hutch Lab!”
By Sydney L.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center helps cure the terrible disease called cancer. It is located in Seattle, WA. There, they experiment with cancer and attempt to find treatments. During my visit, I experienced extracting DNA from strawberries, using pipettes and looking at tiny worms under a microscope. I interviewed Brad Krajina who tries to stop cancer cells from communicating to each other. He works at Fred Hutch because he enjoys helping people. Fred Hutch is truly an amazing place to learn about how cancer works.
(Photo: Scientist & Science illustrator, Brad Krajina shares his digital illustrations)
(Student correspondents tour Fred Hutch Cancer Center with guide-scientist, Brad)
“Meeting a Scientist for the First Time”
By Root D. (Oct, 22, 2022)
I just met a real scientist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center! People work there to help others and find cures for diseases. During my visit, I saw 3 experiments. My favorite one was extracting DNA from strawberries.
During my trip, I spoke to Violet who works at Fred Hutch as a scientist. I learned all about how DNA is in your body. Violet also told me that as a scientist, you get to ask lots of questions.
I’d like other kids to know how cool Fred Hutch is. You get to see a lot of different stuff there!
(DNA Strand illustration by Sydney L.)
(Above: an experience map of the Beyond the Lab workshop series by Duke H., Oct. 29, 2022)
“Letter from a Cell”
translated by Jayden R., Oct. 15, 2022
Greetings from the lungs,
My name is Bob the cell. When you see me you’ll notice me running away from viruses, yelling for a macrophage to come and help. Scientists think I’m interesting because I can sense a virus in its early stages. My favorite thing to do is to work with macrophages to help human bodies fight viruses and survive.
Yours truly,
Bob (the Cell)
(Above: dramatic recreation of macrophage, by Jayden; below: scientific illustration from microscopic observation, by Jayden)
“My Visit to Fred Hutch”
by Kaleb A. (Oct. 22, 2022)
During my visit at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center I met a person named Rachel. Rachel studies protiens in the lab and learns about how cells talk to each other. Rachel spends a lot of time at work taking care of the cells in the lab and using tools like microscopes, pipettes, and freezers. Rachel really wants to understand how we get sick by looking in the microscope to study how the body works. Rachel likes working at Fred Hutch, and getting to be around other smart scientists.
(Below: illustration by Kaleb)
“Worm Fight at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center!”
By Easton C.
WORM FIGHT! During my visit to Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle I got a chance to see something amazing. I was looking in a microscope and saw a bunch of tiny worms. It appeared that the first worm went super fast and head butted the 2nd worm! It was amazing.
After that I talked to Kristen Bergsman, a science educator at Fred Hutch. She talked about how her grandpa studied plants and insects. Now she teaches science on zoom and in classes. She loves it!
Fred Hutch is an interesting place, where science meets art.
“Strawberry DNA at Fred Hutch”
By: Tyger A.
Today I squished strawberries and saw their DNA! I was at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle where the people work to find treatments for cancer.
During my visit I saw lots of things under a microscope, and strawberry DNA!
I spoke to Kristen Bergsman, a science educator at Fred Hutch. She told me that “as a kid I was curious and had lots of questions, and science helped solve those questions.” Bergsman’s grandpa studied insects and plants in Edmonds, WA. Now she studies how to teach science. She is very curious and has lots of good questions.
Fred Hutch is very fascinating and fun to explore and learn about.
(illustration by Tyger A.)
(Scientific illustration of worms moving under a microscope by Ali‘i S.)
“Greetings from Me (When I was Sick)”
by Giselle C. (a realistic fictional first-hand account)
I am sick and I don’t feel good. I can’t stand up and I can’t eat. I feel both mad and sad.
I am super sick, and scientists wonder why and how. When I’m feeling sick, all there is to do is eat soup, watch TV, and relax.
Yours sneezing,
Giselle
(Below: illustrations by Giselle)
“Greetings from the head of a tiny worm,”
(a letter from a neuron, translated by Violet the Scientist)
I am the Tiny Living Thermometer! When you see me you will notice that I am a fuzzy cell and I am green. Scientists think I’m interesting because I am a neuron that senses temperature.
My favorite thing to do is use my long fingers to help the worm I live in not get too hot or cold.
Yours truly,
The Tiny Living Thermometer
A Trip to Fred Hutch
By CJ R. (Oct. 22)
Today I got to see the DNA from a Strawberry! That’s right, today I visited Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and got to take part in the science. Fred Hutch is important because it’s a place that helps people (especially people with cancer).
During my visit, I saw the research library. I thought it was cool because of all the science research in there.
I also spoke to Kelly Heard, who works at Fred Hutch as a lung cancer scientist. I learned that she is from San Diego and likes to paddle board and paint. She studies lung cancer, uses pipettes. Every morning she has her coffee and then checks on her cells. She told me that she wants to learn more about cancer and how to help people. What I want other kids to know is that Fred Hutch has about 5 thousand people working there.
(Image: Young scientists extract DNA from Strawberries!)
“A Waterfall”
By Hollis K. (Oct. 22)
Today we did a fun scavenger hunt to find a portrait of Fred Hutchinson. We were at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, a place that helps find treatments for cancer.
During my visit, I used pipettes to create an art project with colorful water and saw strawberry DNA.
I spoke to Kelly, a lung cancer scientist from San Diego. She told me that it’s really fun to work at Fred Hutch. I want other kids to know that Fred Hutch is trying to find cures for cancer.
“Letter from the Body”
By Rivkah D. (Oct. 15, 2022)
Greetings from inside your body!
I am a macrophage. To see me, you will need a microscope because I am small. Scientists think I’m interesting because I am weird. My favorite thing to do is to eat viruses and other cells.
Yours truly,
Macrophage
(Above: young scientists use pipette)
“The worms are moving like snakes and there are eggs everywhere. Very wiggly!”
- Jack B.
(Image: worm models by Sydney)
Trip to Fred Hutch
By Hannah L.
(10/29)
Today we took a scavenger hunt at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. We looked for some art, and found the labs. I really enjoyed the library because I love books.
I learned that scientists communicate with others using their mouths. They also write a lot.
Something surprising I learned was that when you extract DNA from strawberries you have to squish the strawberries first.
Fred Huchinson Cancer Center is important because it helps fight cancer.
While I was there, I spoke to Emily, who is a scientist. Emily told me that you can kayak from work at Fred Hutch!
Fred Hutch Cancer Center is super big, so if you come by, don’t get lost!
(Below: hand-drawn map by Hannah L.)
“Interview with Mindy”
by Jack B. (Oct. 22, 2022)
During my visit to Fred Hutch Cancer Center I met Mindy. I found out that she grew up in Alaska and works now on the HIV vaccine. One of her role models in science is Dr. Tony Fauci. When she’s not at work she likes to play with friends.
In her work, she spends a lot of time working on the computer and looking at science pictures.
She chooses to study science to help global health and connect people and science.
“My Time at Fred Hutch”
By Jayden R. (Oct. 22, 2022)
Have you ever been to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle? It’s a place where the people help try and find a way to help other people survive cancer.
During my visit I saw lots of science posters and laboratories. On the posters there were lots of scientific diagrams and information. It was just how I thought it would be.
I spoke to Rachel who works at Fred Hutch as a person who studies things like proteins. Rachel has worked at Fred Hutch for 8 years! “I love my job at Fred Hutch” said Rachel.
I want other kids to know that Fred Hutch is very cool and fun to visit, and it might inspire you to become a scientist!
“Fred Hutch Field Trip”
by Ehsan N. (Oct. 22, 2022)
There is a very cool waterfall at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. Fred Hutch is a place where they help treat diseases and learn about them. During my visit I met Mindy who works at Fred Hutch, working on the HIV vaccine. I learned that Mindy has been working at Fred Hutch for 11 years, and keeps working there because she gets to help the people.
“Greetings from The Lungs!”
I am a common cold! (“okay, that actually isn’t very intimidating…”)
When you see me you will notice that I look like… well, there aren’t many mirrors in here.
Scientists often say, “I will destroy you! Ba-ha-ha! (These scientists need to work on their maniacal laughter). Anyway, my favorite thing to do is to make you sick, but it’s tough because your white blood cells are tough!
Yours truly,
Common Cold (as told by Clem B.)
PS Why do I have to be called “common”? I am rare! Majestic! Ah-ha-ha! Scary. Run in fear! Bah-hah-hah!
(creative science illustration below by Clem B.)
“Greetings from the Lungs”
I am a cell that needs help. I am cornered by viruses. Scientists like me because I can help them understand how to stop viruses. My favorite thing to do is make more cells.
Yours truly,
A cell that needs help (created by Jack B.)
(Field notes and illustration by Jack)
Greetings from The Brain! (As told by Gavin O.)
I am “The Tiny Living Thermometer” neuron! When you see me in a microscope you will notice that I look like an arrow. My favorite thing to do is look for neuron food and detect temperature in worms.
Yours,
Tiny Living Thermometer
One Wacky Month at BFI!
By Clem B. (Oct. 29th)
This month at the Bureau of Fearless Ideas, crazy things went down! I learned that scientists communicate big science ideas using art. I learned that Fred Hutch Cancer center is important because it helps stop cancer.
(Below: creative science illustration of a mucus cell by Clem B.)
(Some of our new science friends at Fred Hutch!)
Stay tuned for more science reporting and creativity from the BEYOND THE LAB science writing team!…