GROW YOUR FUTURE: Launch into MCC & MSU Life Sciences

Have fun growing your future at Muskegon Community College by doing high-tech, hands-on life science labs! Get a taste of college, explore careers, and meet expert faculty from Muskegon Community College and Michigan State University!  

MCC is calling on Muskegon County high school juniors and seniors to enroll in MCC and MSU IAT Life Science Programs by engaging them in a hands-on, fun, and free science lab experience at MCC on May 9, 2024. 

Students can choose from 8 Labs: 

Atmospheric Adventures
Join us in the MCC Geography Lab for an immersive investigation into atmospheric moisture. Engage in activities such as observing dew formation and creating clouds in a micro-environment, unraveling the fascinating mysteries of water in the air.

Cellular Explorations
Journey into the microscopic realm as we study diverse organisms under the microscope. Engage with hydra, captivating creatures akin to jellyfish, observing their distinctive hunting technique as they sting and consume prey

Exploring Ecosystems
Join us for an immersive lab experience at the Kasey Hartz Natural Area. Discover sampling techniques like transect and circle-plot methods while identifying common plants in upland and lowland habitats. Practice data collection using field tools and instruments and analyze your findings with graphs. Explore how the abiotic environment influences plant communities along elevation gradients, whether in the upland oak habitat or the floodplain wetland. Get ready for an engaging outdoor adventure that fosters teamwork and hands-on learning!

Microbe Marvels
Journey into the microbiology lab to uncover the fascinating world of beneficial microbes. These unsung heroes play essential roles in our environment and bodies, and did you know we can’t survive without them? Join us to learn about the wonders of good microbes and their incredible contributions to our world.

Natures Navigator
Immerse yourself in a hands-on lab using the “Epicollect5” app to explore plant life in the Kasey Hartz Natural Area. Discover citizen science, GIS, and GPS technologies as you collect geospatial data for analysis and mapping. Gain insights into how this data is used in environmental conservation and urban planning.

Savoring Science
Come join food scientist and culinary enthusiasts from the MSU Product Center and FARM for an engaging experience in making dairy products.   We will make everything from whipped cream to ice cream including butter, mozzarella cheese, freeze dried skittles and taste chocolate from cocoa pod to chocolate for your ice cream topping.

Unearthed Secrets
Embark on a soil science adventure where high school students become agronomists in this hands-on lab! Discover the hidden world beneath our feet as you explore soil components and craft your own recipe for optimal soil health. From nutrients to texture, delve into the art of soil cultivation and learn how agronomists play a vital role in shaping our agricultural landscape. Get ready to unearth the secrets of soil health.

Unveiling Systems
Delve into the inner workings of the body as students dissect a pluck, uncovering the mysteries of the lungs, trachea, heart, and more. This immersive experience provides a firsthand look at the respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive systems, offering a unique perspective on their interconnected functions.

Date and Time of Event: Thursday, May 9, 2024, 9AM to Noon.

Location: Muskegon Community College, 221 S. Quarterline Rd. Muskegon, MI 49442. ROOM 1300 and Science Labs.

Contact:: Matt Bernia, Program Coordinator, MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology, Muskegon Community College. matthew.bernia@muskegoncc.edu, 231-777-0576 

Contact: Dr. Shawn Macauley, Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, Chair, Department of Life Sciences Shawn.Macauley@muskegoncc.edu, 231-777-0230 

Important!!! Students MUST be pre-registered by high school counselor or teacher by May 6, 2024.

SPACE IS LIMITED!!! SIGN UP NOW!!!  REGISTER HERE