DNA is the great uniter. It’s in all of us. Because genetics is so fundamental to our lives, genetics education should be available to everyone. That’s the founding principle of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s (CSHL’s) DNA Learning Center.
On April 25, DNA Day, community leaders from across New York came together in Brooklyn at DNA Learning Center NYC. There, they celebrated the great strides CSHL has made in advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and career opportunities.
DNA Learning Center NYC occupies a renovated 17,500-square-foot space at the CUNY City Tech campus in Downtown Brooklyn. The Center has six teaching labs with state-of-the-art equipment, two bioinformatics computer labs, a lunchroom, and exhibit space.
One notable Brooklyn native in attendance was U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. “To take the world-class expertise that exists at the lab and then share it with the next generation of young STEM students who want to learn more about how the world works at a basic molecular level—that’s noble and that’s applauding,” said Sen. Schumer. “And that’s what you’re doing here.”
The DNA Learning Center is renowned for its hands-on teaching method, which helps make genetics accessible for all. CSHL Board of Trustees Vice Chair Casey Cogut echoed that point in kicking off the evening’s ceremony. “We’re here to celebrate the DNA Learning Center’s ongoing commitment to delivering an exceptional scientific learning experience to every visitor—especially those students who may not otherwise have access,” said Cogut.
Check out the video above to join in on the celebration and get an inside look at DNA Learning Center NYC.
Written by: Samuel Diamond, Editorial Content Manager | diamond@cshl.edu | 516-367-5055