--- title: "Starting from the Basics: Exploring Lab Science at Tufts Pre-College" description: The first day of the program was dedicated to leveling the playing field for all participants, whether they were beginners or experts. image: https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/hubfs/A.Laccarino_LSI_BlogImage.jpg --- ###### ###### [Lab Science Investigations](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/tag/lab-science-investigations) # Starting from the Basics: Exploring Lab Science at Tufts Pre-College ![Adriana I](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/A.Laccarino_LSI_Headshot.png?width=48&height=48&name=A.Laccarino_LSI_Headshot.png) [By Adriana I](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/author/adriana-i) 1 min read Mar 10, 2025 ##### Share - - - - [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/starting-from-the-basics-exploring-lab-science-at-tufts-pre-college&body=Check%20out%20https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/starting-from-the-basics-exploring-lab-science-at-tufts-pre-college&media=https://45817258.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/45817258/A.Laccarino_LSI_BlogImage.jpg](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/starting-from-the-basics-exploring-lab-science-at-tufts-pre-college&body=Check%20out%20https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/starting-from-the-basics-exploring-lab-science-at-tufts-pre-college&media=https://45817258.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/45817258/A.Laccarino_LSI_BlogImage.jpg) As [Lab Science Investigations (LSI)](https://universitycollege.tufts.edu/pre-college/browse/lab-science-investigations) approached, I was both excited and nervous. **Since I had little experience in a lab setting, I was concerned about how advanced everyone else's skills would be.** However, from the start, LSI considered this factor and accommodated students of all levels.  **The first day of the program was dedicated to leveling the playing field for all participants, whether they were beginners or experts.** We participated in practical training on **gel electrophoresis, PCR, micropipetting, and other essential techniques**. The dedication and support of the teaching assistants and program directors were incredible. They made sure **no one felt left behind** by patiently guiding us through each lab step.  **The capstone project was the feature that distinguished LSI from all other pre-college programs I had participated in.** For this project, every student created their own public health campaign, **allowing us to apply what we had learned throughout the program to real-world issues in our communities**. The impact of LSI expanded outside the lab and classroom. Guest lectures from experts in a variety of fields solidified our knowledge and inspired us to make a real difference. The global, "one health" approach that LSI emphasized throughout the program ensured that what we had learned had the potential to make a significant difference in the world.  Outside of classes, Davis Square, near Tufts University, gave a vibrant and easily accessible free time activity. It provided opportunities to relax, explore local shops, and eat delicious food—**the perfect complement to the rigorous lab and group work we did every day!** [Back to List](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college) [ Next Article ](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/from-nervous-to-unforgettable-my-life-changing-two-weeks-at-tufts-pre-college) ## Related Posts [![Learning How to Work Independently in SMFA Studio Art](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/A.Bienvenu_SMFA_BlogImage_1.jpg?width=900&name=A.Bienvenu_SMFA_BlogImage_1.jpg) ](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/learning-how-to-work-independently-in-smfa-studio-art) ###### [SMFA Studio Art](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/tag/smfa-studio-art) ##### [Learning How to Work Independently in SMFA Studio Art](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/learning-how-to-work-independently-in-smfa-studio-art) Jan 30, 2026 2 min read When I was first accepted into the Tufts SMFA program, I was worried about the. [Read More](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/learning-how-to-work-independently-in-smfa-studio-art) [![Inside Tufts’ Lab Science Investigations: Getting into the Lab](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/A-Chiu_LSI_BlogImage.jpeg?width=900&name=A-Chiu_LSI_BlogImage.jpeg) ](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/inside-tufts-lab-science-investigations-getting-into-the-lab) ###### [Lab Science Investigations](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/tag/lab-science-investigations) ##### [Inside Tufts’ Lab Science Investigations: Getting into the Lab](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/inside-tufts-lab-science-investigations-getting-into-the-lab) Jun 2, 2025 1 min read Attending Tufts' Lab Science Investigation (LSI) program was one of the highli. [Read More](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/inside-tufts-lab-science-investigations-getting-into-the-lab) [![Mini-Med School - Exceeding Expectations](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/clinicalexperience_mainsite.webp?width=900&name=clinicalexperience_mainsite.webp) ](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/mini-med-school-exceeding-expectations) ###### [Mini Med School](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/tag/mini-med-school) ##### [Mini-Med School - Exceeding Expectations](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/mini-med-school-exceeding-expectations) Dec 1, 2022 1 min read This was my first time attending a program like this: living in dorms and lear. [Read More](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/mini-med-school-exceeding-expectations) [ Back To Home ](https://www.tufts.edu/) [Follow us on Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/pre-college-articles/finding-a-passionate-community) [Follow us on Linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/) [Follow us on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/) --- [![University College Logo](https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/hubfs/University%20College%20Logo_Horiz_bl+blk.webp "University College Logo") ](https://universitycollege.tufts.edu/) 80 George Street, Medford, MA 02155 Copyright © 2024 ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Adriana I", "url" : "https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/author/adriana-i" }, "dateModified" : "2025-03-10T11:00:00.509Z", "datePublished" : "2025-03-10T11:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Starting from the Basics: Exploring Lab Science at Tufts Pre-College", "image" : [ "https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/hubfs/A.Laccarino_LSI_BlogImage.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/tufts-pre-college/starting-from-the-basics-exploring-lab-science-at-tufts-pre-college", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://lifelonglearning.tufts.edu/hubfs/University%20College_Vert_bl+blk.png" } } } ```