Maryland Loaner Lab Middle School Kits

Program Details

How it Works

Interested in borrowing a Maryland Loaner Lab kit? Start by choosing a kit from our catalog and submitting a reservation request. We’ll ship the kit to you free of charge. You and your students can use it in your classroom for 14 days. When you're done, simply return the kit using the pre-paid FedEx shipping label included in the box.

Eligibility

Teachers are eligible to borrow kits after they have attended a one-time Maryland Loaner Lab training session. Once eligible, kits are free and scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. 

What's in Your Kit?

Our kits include a teacher's manual that provides set-up instructions, student worksheets, return shipping instructions and labels, and a return equipment checklist. Each kit is described in the table below.

Kits contain enough materials to serve all of your students, including over multiple class periods. Your kit will include enough equipment (such as micropipettes) to accommodate one class period at a time, with enough reagents (such as DNA samples) to serve your total number of students. 

Reserve Your Kit

Reserve a kit using the Maryland Loaner Lab Request form (see sidebar). Kits are on-loan for 14 days. Kits are for individual use and may not be shared with untrained teachers.

Unpack Your Kit

You received your kit—now what? First, place the red cold bags in the refrigerator right away. Then, use the checklist to confirm all items are included and check for any damaged materials or equipment. If you encounter any issues, please notify us immediately at mdll AT_TOWSON

Return Your Kit

Time to return your kit? Clean and dry all equipment, then repack items neatly as received. Complete the return checklist and note any missing or broken items. Tape the box shut and attach both shipping labels (return address and FedEx tracking) as directed. Return shipping is free—schedule a FedEx pick-up using the provided instructions or drop off the kit at any FedEx location.

MDLL Middle School Kits

Below is a description of each of our MDLL high school kits, including links to teacher's manuals, PowerPoint's, and student handouts. 

mdll kit	description	teacher resources
Berries...with a side of DNA? (DNA Extraction)	Students explore the role and function of DNA in living organisms by extracting DNA from fruit.	Manual (PDF) PowerPoint Student Handout (Google Doc)
It's a Gassy World!	Students design and conduct an investigation to measure the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide at different temperatures.	Manual (PDF) PowerPoint Student Handout (Google Doc)
Looking Backwards, Looking Forward	Students act as paleoclimatologists as they gather and interpret data to infer Maryland's climate over the past 12,500 years.	Manual (PDF) PowerPoint Student Handout (Google Doc)
Mystery of Crooked Cell Structured	Using gel electrophoresis, students determine whether a patient carries the gene that causes sickle cell anemia.	Manual (PDF) PowerPoint Student Handout (Google Doc)
Mystery Tubes	This black box activity allows students to explore the nature of science as they work to figure out how the mystery tubes are constructed.	Manual (PDF) Student Handout (Google Doc)
Ocean Acidification	Students answer the driving question "How might increasing levels of CO2 affect oysters in Maryland?" by planning and carrying out an investigation and using models.	Manual (PDF) PowerPoint Student Handout (Google Doc)

MDLL Minis Kits

Introducing the newest member of the Maryland Loaner Lab family! MDLL Minis are short classroom activities that focus on building students' lab skills.

MDLL Kit	description	teacher resources
Roy Gee Biv Micropipette Challenge	Students practice proper micropipetting technique in this fun and colorful challenge!	Student Handout (Google Doc)

Cancel Your Kit

Please let us know in advance if you need to cancel your reserved kit by emailing us at mdll AT_TOWSON. Early cancellation will help us give other teachers the opportunity to book a kit.  

Questions?

Email us at mdll AT_TOWSON.