Year 11 Biomedical Sciences Day @ UniMelb & GTAC
15 St Albans students from Year 11 Biology and Year 11 Chemistry were given the opportunity to attend an enrichment excursion, jointly hosted by GTAC in collaboration with The University of Melbourne.
Below are some of the comments that students had to say about their experience of the day.
“The Biomedical Excursion was so fun! Loved seeing human brains in the flesh. 100000/10” – Tina Le
“Being able to talk to the biomed students was very fun, it gave us more insight into the course and unimelb.” – Saige Yeo
“I highly recommend attending the biomedical excursion for anyone interested in pursuing medical or science related careers! they provide useful information regarding the many pathways you can take, as well as answering any general questions regarding university. my personal favourite moment of the day was being able to observe and learn about the various organs/body parts in the museum of anatomy. Overall, this was an incredible and interesting experience, and I hope that this encourages others to participate next year :)” – Jaeleen Duong
“The biomedicine excursion at Melbourne University was great fun. Thanks to the teachers who organised this event, and the people at the university, I was given an amazing opportunity to see and learn many new things. For example, I really enjoyed the VR Heart experience DESPITE how confusing and lowkey nauseating it was…. My favourite part was probably visiting the Anatomy and Pathology museum and being able to see all the different specimens they have and through that – learning about the evolution of humans. I really liked being able to talk to the researchers and scientists from different biomedical fields in the laboratory and getting a glimpse of what kind of things they do. Overall, I was fully enlightened,10/10 would recommend.” – Yenthy Le
” Having the opportunity to attend the Biomedical Sciences Day excursion at GTAC and the University of Melbourne gave me the chance to deepen my understanding of human anatomy and pathology, a field I am interested in. The VR heart game developed by Melbourne University professors allowed me to explore the complex functions of the heart in an engaging, interactive, and immersive way (even though it was quite challenging to read the instructions with the VR headset on)! The highlight of the day was visiting the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology, which offered a rare opportunity to observe real, preserved human tissues. This was an insightful and fascinating experience, especially since the museum is not open to the general public. It felt truly special and like a once-in-a-lifetime privilege that other students and I got to experience that even many GTAC scientists have not had access to. I also enjoyed visiting the GTAC laboratory, where I learned about the different courses each scientist was studying. Overall, I found the Biomedical Sciences Day excursion both fun and incredibly insightful, and it strengthened my interest in pursuing studies related to biomedical science.” – Michelle Duong
Mr Huey Tran- Science Teacher
Year 10 Forensic Science Excursion
On Tuesday, 21 October, our Year 10 Forensic Science classes ventured to the Gene Technology and Access Centre (GTAC).
Inspired by real events, students took on the role of trainee Wildlife Officers for the Conservation Regulator. Their task was to investigate the illegal killing and dumping of numerous unidentified birds of prey in a rural Victorian town.
Working in small groups, students used research-grade microscopes and DNA technologies to investigate the case. They examined various exhibits to determine whether the birds were protected species, identify the murder weapons used, and attempt to pinpoint a prime suspect and their likely motive. A highlight for many students was analysing pollen samples using a scanning electron microscope and comparing DNA samples using gel electrophoresis.
Each group was guided by a scientist mentor, all of whom are currently undertaking PhDs at one of the many research institutes surrounding GTAC, such as the University of Melbourne, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, to name a few.
Using GTAC’s STEM Cycle of Inquiry, students began by asking questions, making predictions, planning tests, and analysing their findings. They then reflected on their results to ask new questions and continue the cycle of inquiry.
To conclude their investigation, students held a final meeting to share their findings, decide which suspect to arrest, and determine a fair punishment for the crime.
Throughout the day, all students conducted themselves in a manner that aligned with our values of Safety, Respect, and Responsibility. They were punctual in the morning and at meeting points throughout the day. While on public transport, many students demonstrated excellent etiquette by offering their seats to other members of the public.
A big thank you to the students for their exemplary conduct. Further thanks to Mr Huey Tran, Mr Sam McClure, Ms Phuong Le, and Mr Prakhar Verma for facilitating the excursion.
Mr Sam McClure – Biology | Science