I have always been a fan of science. I read The Big Book of Knowledge as a child. I subscribed to Scientific American. But what I never have been is a scientist. The mindset of a fan of science is to accept what is written, memorize the remarkable facts, and marvel at the ability of science to answer questions about the cosmos. It is a role that requires no active participation beyond reading. However, a scientist has a different way of thinking that requires questioning, answering, and researching in particular ways. I expect this summer to show me the difference between being a fan of science and being an actual scientist.
The most important lesson that my experience could help me to learn is what questions to ask. Just accepting a laboratory result would not be performing science if the protocol were not reductively examined, the statistical significance of the data was ignored, or the potential contaminations were not considered. My lab experience will hopefully provide me exposure to the types of questions that will lead to appropriate consideration of the concerns listed, among others.
The second expectation that I have for my summer experience with BSURF is that I will learn a plethora of techniques. Understanding the current capabilities available provides a toolbox to answer questions. These procedures also provide intellectual building blocks for designing brand new methods of investigation that are adapted to answer brand new inquiries.
The final expectation that I have of my experience is that I will see what maintaining a lab requires. Interviewing my PI and observing the way my mentor spends her time will provide an insight into the process of grant/paper writing, material purchasing, and managing people.
Additional note:
The distinction between being a fan of science and being a scientist does not mean that one cannot be both. In fact, I believe that the majority of scientists are also fans of science sometimes.
Image Source:
Weinersmith, Zach. “How to Tell the Difference.” Comic. Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, 30 January 2010. Web. http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=1777
