Yr 11 Biology GTAC Genetic Testing

In week two of term three, the Year 11 Biology students attended Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) as part of their unit of study on genetics. They worked with practicing scientists to apply their genetic knowledge on a case study to diagnose phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disease, through prenatal and predictive testing. As part of this genetic analysis, they used a range of techniques, including fluorescence microscopy, PCR and gel electrophoresis. Throughout the day, they also had the opportunity to ask the scientist mentors career-related questions.

 

Below are student reflections of the program.

‘During the GTAC excursion, I was able to learn how genetic testing can be implemented in a real world scenario, specifically utilising a gel electrophoresis to identify an individual’s genotype. Being able to experience the practical in a scientific environment was very interesting as it felt like I was in a real case’. – Dennis Tran (11F)

 ‘I learnt how to use a pipette properly, as well as use gel electrophoresis to analyse for PKU and to understand how PKU occurs’. – Thu Nguyen (11D).

Our students then engaged in three different immunological workshops. In the first workshop, student used bioinformatics to investigate the risk of different animal species in contracting coronavirus. After that, the students explored different infectious and non-communicable diseases in mouse models using microscopy. Finally, students performed a lab technique called an ‘ELISA’ to determine the mystery tuberculosis carrier at a hospital. Throughout these sessions, students were able to talk to the facilitating scientists and PhD students and learn about their journeys and careers.

Below a student’s reflection of the excursion:

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the guest speaker’s presentation, particularly the video which he produced on the innate and adaptive immune system – very helpful for students who were being exposed to the Unit 4 Biology content for the first time. I also enjoyed the bioinformatics session and being able to ask immunologists about what they enjoy about their profession, what they do and the challenges they face. Overall, this excursion was really eye-opening for me and I would recommend it to any Biology students who are interested in immunology.’   – Jessica Luong (12C)

 

Mr Myers Nguyen – Science Teacher

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Science Activities

Over the past couple of weeks many students have experienced Science outside of the classroom. A handful of dedicated Year 12 students were successful in applying for the SEAMs program and spent 3 days at the University of Melbourne improving their knowedge of Mathematics and Science. Year 8 classes attended Indigenous STEM workshops at the Melbourne Science Gallery where they learnt about the historical use of fire by First Nations people and how different Indigenous groups’ use knowledge of the stars to identify when seasons change and what animals are ready for hunting.

 

Year 8 Embarks on a “Mission to Mars”

Towards the end of Term 2, several Year 8 classes embarked on simulated “Missions to Mars” at the Victoria Space Science Education Centre in Strathmore. Students donned spacesuits and performed a variety of tasks and tests, communicating between the mission control and the simulated surface of Mars. Their collective goal was to understand how rocks can be used to tell the history of the environment of Mars. However, this experience enabled them to achieve much more, including developing their collaborative skills and understanding its importance in scientific inquiry, as they took on specialist roles as different scientists. Our students demonstrated great engagement, maturity, and leadership as they supported one another throughout this immersive experience.

A Student’s Perpective of SEAMs

..we found it very enjoyable and definitely had its ups and downs. Personally I found the social aspect of SEAMS, being able to interact with people from different sides of Australia, very enjoyable and insightful of the future. The accommodation was really amazing (I personally had my own couch) and it was a good way to experience the uni life and see how everything is done. I did find the buffet aspect, infinite coffee machines, common rooms with a pool and table tennis table to be very entertaining. They even had a movie theatre and it was a great experience with a packed schedule that can build good habits and help you socialise more. We can also see how people from different schools do things and adapt and inherit certain strategies to better our schooling life and our own life. All and all SEAMS is great and I am sure it will continue to be great.

 

 

Ms Angela Hanley – Science Coordinator