Yr 10 & 11 Biomedical Sciences Day
On Thursday 15 August, twenty-four Year 10 and 11 students, along with Ms Phuong Le and Mr Myers Nguyen, attended the Biomedical Sciences Day excursion at the University of Melbourne & GTAC.
Below are various students’ thoughts of the day:
‘Attending Biomedical Sciences Day at GTAC and Melbourne University was an eye-opening experience that deeply enriched my understanding of the multifaceted exploration of human anatomy and pathology. The opportunity to view real anatomical specimens and observe intricate pathological anomalies in the museum was fascinating to witness. Similarly, the microscope investigation of different diseases enlightened me on the subtle differences of abnormal and normal cells. While engaging with VR technology, it helped me visualise the heart’s complex mechanisms and provided valuable insights into seeing the functions of the heart including: the intensity of heartbeats, the shape of the heart, etc. Throughout the Q&A session, consisting of several Melbourne University students, I was able to resonate with the aspirations of those students who achieved their placement in the course, inspiring me to work diligently and persistently in class. These experiences collectively highlighted the complexity and diversity of human biological systems, deepening my appreciation for the field of biomedical sciences.’ – Stephanie Truong (10D)
‘Our day began at GTAC with an enlightening presentation by Professor Wilkinson-Berka, the head of the Biomedical Sciences department, who provided an in-depth look into studying Biomedical Science at the University of Melbourne. This presentation highlighted the various pathways and majors available, which helped me consider my future academic options. The highlight of the day was our exclusive visit to the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology at UniMelb. Since the museum is not open to the general public, this visit felt incredibly special and like an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Seeing the human body and its abnormalities up close, in a field I’m passionate about, was truly surreal. Overall, the excursion was both enjoyable and inspiring, heightening my excitement for university life.’ – Dennis Tran (11F)
‘Being able to have the opportunity to spend the day extending my knowledge in the biomedical field with the utilisation of various simulations, tours, and the GTAC laboratory to assist, has certainly made me grow my interest in the field of pathology. In particular, the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology was my favourite, as I was able to freely look at an assortment of real preserved human tissue specimens, and was able to see different bones that have experienced trauma and thus malunion. I also enjoyed the GTAC laboratory, as it was the first time I was able to use a fluorescence microscope to look at skin cells, which resulted in an alluring galaxy-like image.’ – Kaitlyn Au (10D)
‘The tour of the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology fascinated me the most out of the entire day. The museum provided me more insight on how the human body works and the effects of certain conditions on the body. I found the museum the most interesting as it aligns with my future dream careers, forensic medical examiner/pathologist. Overall, my experience on Biomedical Sciences Day at GTAC & Melbourne University was very interesting and entertaining, if I had an opportunity to go again, I would.’ – Ajouk Akol (11A)
‘…we had a fascinating and immersive experience at the exclusive museum of anatomy and pathology exhibit, that allowed us to see real human body parts up close, where we had a peculiar perspective on the intricacies of the human body. The Q&A session with student ambassadors from Melbourne University was particularly insightful, especially as students studying VCE and aspiring to pursue a higher degree of education, as we gained a deeper understanding of life as a Melbourne university student and learned about the various courses offered. The highlight of the day was the realistic VR experience, which simulated real-world scenarios and gave us a taste of the innovative technology used in biomedical sciences. Overall, the day was filled with engaging and interactive experiences that not only expanded our knowledge but also sparked interest in pursuing a career in biomedical sciences.’ – Ngoc Trinh (11F) & Angela Vu (10D)
Mr Myers Nguyen – Science Teacher
