Written by: Kara Hunter and Rickie Eatherly
At Johns Hopkins University, curiosity isn’t confined to the classroom—it’s a driving force that powers discovery, innovation, and growth. During this year’s Future Fest, we brought that spirit to life with our Research Taste Testing, an immersive experience designed to give students a front-row seat to the many ways research comes alive on our campus.
Why a Lab Crawl?
For many Hopkins students, labs can feel like distant or specialized spaces reserved only for those on a research track. But the reality is that labs aren’t just about pipettes and data collection—they are hubs of collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. The Lab Crawl was built to demystify these spaces and invite students—especially those not yet working in a lab—to explore what’s possible.
The purpose was simple but powerful:
- Showcase the variety of lab experiences available on campus.
- Demonstrate the transferable skills students can gain through lab work—critical thinking, teamwork, adaptability, and technical problem-solving.
- Highlight pathways for students whose future career goals may not be in research, but who can still benefit from the professional competencies built in lab settings.
Labs We Visited
Our tour spanned a diverse set of labs, reflecting the interdisciplinary strength of Johns Hopkins. Students had the chance to step inside:
- Twin Lab
- Farber Lab
- McQueen Lab
- Bat Lab
- Civil and Systems Engineering Lab
- David S. Olton Program in Behavioral Biology
- IMERSE Lab
Each stop offered a window into not only the science being conducted but also the people, culture, and career possibilities connected to the work.
Student Impact
For students who are curious but uncertain about how to break into research, the Lab Crawl served as a low-barrier entry point. Many walked away realizing that lab experiences can:
- Build resume-ready skills in analysis, project management, and communication.
- Open doors to mentorship and networks across disciplines.
- Provide a testing ground for interests—a place to explore passions before committing to a career path.
One student reflected, “I didn’t know a lab could look like this—I can actually see myself here.”
Beyond Career Goals
Even for those whose long-term aspirations lie outside research, lab experiences have enduring value. The ability to design experiments, interpret data, collaborate across diverse teams, and problem-solve under uncertainty translates seamlessly into roles in business, policy, consulting, healthcare, and beyond.
Looking Ahead
The Lab Crawl was more than just a tour—it was an invitation. An invitation for students to step into spaces they may not have considered before, to spark new ideas, and to see themselves as contributors to the Hopkins research ecosystem.
At Future Fest, we celebrate what’s next. And for many of our students, this experience planted the seeds of what could be—a future shaped by exploration, curiosity, and courage.
