Putnam City students get hands-on lab experience at OMRF

Annual 'Junior Scientist Day' event allows students to explore medical research firsthand

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Students from the Putnam City school district in Oklahoma City recently participated in the annual 'Junior Scientist Day' event at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF). The event provides students with a hands-on opportunity to experience what it's like to work in a medical research lab, as part of OMRF's efforts to give back to the community and inspire the next generation of scientists.

Why it matters

The 'Junior Scientist Day' event helps expose students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM fields, to the exciting world of medical research. By allowing them to directly participate in lab activities, OMRF hopes to spark an interest in science and encourage more young people to consider careers in this area.

The details

During the event, Putnam City students were able to perform experiments, use lab equipment, and interact with OMRF researchers to get a firsthand look at the day-to-day work of a scientist. The hands-on activities were designed to give the students a better understanding of the scientific method and the types of discoveries being made at the research foundation.

  • The 'Junior Scientist Day' event took place on March 4, 2026.

The players

Putnam City school district

A public school district serving the Putnam City area of Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF)

A nonprofit biomedical research institute located in Oklahoma City that focuses on understanding and developing treatments for diseases.

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What they’re saying

“Events like Junior Scientist Day are a great way for us to give back to the community and inspire the next generation of scientists.”

— OMRF Researcher (KFOR)

The takeaway

The 'Junior Scientist Day' event demonstrates OMRF's commitment to engaging with the local community and fostering an interest in science among young students, which could help cultivate the next generation of medical researchers and innovators.