Lab Crawl: It’s Not Just for Scientists

Have you ever peeked through a lab’s open door on your way to class and wondered about the research happening inside? Maybe you've heard students talk in passionate terms about the work they’re taking on with their faculty mentors? Oberlin’s Lab Crawl, which happens in buildings throughout campus on Friday, October 27, is where your curiosity turns into opportunity.

Initially fashioned as a celebration of Oberlin science, Lab Crawl is an annual autumn open house that welcomes informal drop-ins on labs and other research spaces, with faculty at the ready to share their ongoing work with students.

This year, Lab Crawl is broadening its horizons. While still retaining its strong roots in STEM, there’s a focus on highlighting research in the humanities (think art history and cinema studies), social sciences (psychology and archaeology, among others), and conservatory departments (TIMARA and musicology). Numerous campus offices are also onboard, among them Undergraduate Research—the office that organizes the Crawl—Bonner Center for Community-Engaged Learning, Teaching and Research; Career Exploration and Development; and Entrepreneurship.

It all happens from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Gaybe Moore fondly remembers Lab Crawl from his days as an Oberlin biology student. Now the 2015 grad is back on campus, in his first year as an assistant professor of biology, and he’s back in line for Lab Crawl—this time as a faculty presenter.