SCIENCE NEWS
10.1 SCIENCE MAKE FLUORESCENT BACTERIA!
Over the past three weeks John Therry students from 10.1 Science have been participating in the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) – an innovative science education program that offers high school students hands-on biotech lab experience. Students work through the process of extracting genes, cloning genes and inserting them into bacteria to create a fluorescent bacteria. This process mimics those used in medicine, for example in the creation of insulin.
This is our first year running the Amgen Biotech Experience and it’s been an excellent way to give students a new appreciation of how science influences their daily lives. John Therry focuses on building a culture of aspiration and we know that programs like this can get the students more engaged in learning, both during their time here and beyond. With Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) becoming increasingly important in the world around us, the more we can do to help our students develop knowledge and skills and discover interesting study and career paths, the better.
On Monday Federal Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander, joined our young scientists to see the program in action. Dr Freelander said, “It’s a great pleasure to see students participating in evidence-based programs like the Amgen Biotech Experience and I commend all those involved for making it available in our local area.”
The students also had a lot to say a lot the experience:
Caitlin Larue: “It showed me the real process scientists worldwide use for genetic modification with the latest technology. I learnt valuable skills such as using micropipettes and how to do gel electrophoresis. The experience was overall fun and brought up discussions within my family as I shared my experience and my mother showed me her notes when she studied genetics in University. I learnt teamwork and communication as well as the importance of lab safety.”
Damien Pattinson: “Amgen is all about learning about new scientific techniques and technologies that can benefit society in the pathway of biology. The foundation of our experiment was learning about the process involved with genetic engineering. We research real life examples of how what we do in class resembles processes that biologists use in the real world, for example, modifying plasmids that contain insulin making genes, placing them into bacteria to ultimately create more insulin to be injected into people suffering type 2 diabetes.”
Olivia Stonebridge: “The Amgen Biotech experience was a fun and exciting experience. It was exciting to use this knowledge for something that can help people and actually matters.”
Connor Dickens: “This experience has given me a chance to learn so much about biology and DNA while also being in a fun environment! I think biotechnology is amazing, and we were especially lucky to have a chance to give it a go.”
Vanessa Rayon: “The hands on experience allowed students to experience what being ‘real world’ scientists would be like. We were able to connect our theory lessons to the real world allowing for better understanding of the biology content.”
Thomas Dwyer: “The experience has enabled us to elaborate and explore scientific investigating techniques. The experience has taught us how to use equipment and skills, which would normally only be available in later university years.”
Toby Harland: “This experience was definitely something to remember! I did not even think such a task was even possible (make fluorescent bacteria), let alone be able to be done by high school students.”
The article is also available on the CEDOW website https://www.dow.catholic.edu.
