Students from Proctor High School in Utica visited science departments at Hamilton College on March 28. The students attended lectures in the chemistry, biology and psychology departments.
Biology Professor David Gapp demonstrates how snapping a turtle's jaws work to cut food and unwary fingers. The students kept a safe distance from Gapp who had a large snapping turtle on the bench next to him. And yes, he assured them, it was alive although the turtle didn't move while the students were there.
Laboratory Supervisor SueAnn Senior and Assistant Professor of Chemistry Ram Subramaniam showed the students around the chemistry lab.
Douglas Weldon, Stone Professor of Psychology, helped the students understand the science behind optical illusions. The students kept pace as Weldon lectured on the inner workings of the eye and the reasons why our eyes trick us into thinking we're seeing lighter or darker images when the intensity of light is in fact uniform.
