Sparq-ed

Sparq-ed school students from all over Queensland visit the lab space for full day or week long science immersion programs, sparq-ed.

The program is aimed at Year aspiring STEM kids to give a taste of third-year university biochemistry and research. We performed a two-day experiment in a level two lab using human cell lines and micropipettes. Our research was about the pathways into human cells of two proteins, and to see if we could successfully inhibit that pathway so the protein makers would stay on the outside of the cell. On the final day of the program, we gave a presentation on our results to several researchers in TRI and PhD students. Through this program, I have learned lab skills with highly precise equipment, data analysis, and interpretation of microscope cell images and gained an insight into biochemistry research. This program has inspired me to continue my STEM studies and pursue a career in the sciences, and I highly recommend to any student that is interested in STEM and research. Our cutting edge facility features a fully equipped PC2 biomedical teaching laboratory and learning centre, located at the Translational Research Institute TRI in Brisbane, providing school students a practical introduction to biomedical research.

Sparq-ed

Both students seized the opportunity to delve into the world of genetics and biomedical skills, gaining valuable insights and hands-on experience. Molly, driven by her love for science and aspirations to become an obstetrician, gynecologist, and neonatal surgeon, eagerly embraced the chance to explore a real laboratory setting. Facing a scarcity of high-quality science programs for students in lower grades, Molly leaped at the opportunity presented by the SPARQ-ed program. Reflecting on her experience, Molly shared, "I really wanted to get into a lab and just sort of see what my future would be like. During the program, Molly and her peers focused on utilizing DNA to predict genetic disorders, specifically studying Goniodysgenesis and Glaucoma in Border Collies. She learned essential laboratory techniques, including DNA extraction, testing, and genetic sequencing. Molly expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with like-minded peers, saying, "It was really good to talk to like-minded kids your age and learn all of these Uni level processes together. Katie, drawn to the program through an email from their science teacher, Mrs. Dey, discovered a unique connection between her interest in agriculture and stud cattle breeding and the program's focus on genetics. For Katie, the program provided a chance to explore the impact of genetics on livestock, aligning with her curiosity about cattle breeding. Sharing her thoughts on the program, Katie stated, "I am interested in knowing how genetics affects the livestock. Her interest peaked as she learned how they test cattle to identify specific genetic traits that can be passed on to their offspring.

The students asked questions that impressed Sandrine and Dr David Sester who operates Flow Cytometry - perhaps even making them a little nervous?

Students from around Queensland are offered opportunities to participate in week-long programs that allow them to conduct an experimental project in conjunction with one of TRI's world renowned biomedical research groups. This flagship service offered by SPARQ-ed is open to all senior year 10, 11 and 12 students and teachers throughout Queensland. Student participants are selected through an application process via their school. Applications consist of a section where the applicant writes to stated criteria interest in science and previous experience working on science related projects and consideration of the applicant's academic performance. All applications are verified by a school staff contact. For each research immersion program, a project is designed which can be carried out by the participants over the course of five consecutive days. The project aim is normally to perform research to answer a question which is connected to the work of the contributing group.

SPARQ-ed is a unique educational facility established in collaboration between the Department of Education and The University of Queensland which provides school students a practical introduction to biomedical research. Yunxi, who studies both Biology and Chemistry at State High, provided an overview of her experience:. In this program, we conducted advanced research in a world-class laboratory with research scientists at the Translational Research Institute. The project is titled 'Lymphoma Immunotherapy: Targeting anti-tumour effects of T cells'. Over the five days, we investigated a potential method to counteract an immune system evasion mechanism employed by Hodgkin Lymphoma cancer cells, involving procedures such as cell counting, RNA extraction, qRT-PCR, flow cytometry and luciferase reporter assay. Overall, this opportunity was an amazing eye-opener that fuelled my passion for Biology and Chemistry. Furthermore, I met amazing and inspiring people along the way, making it a truly unforgettable experience. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.

Sparq-ed

It is a collaboration between the Department of Education and The University of Queensland to provide pupils in Years with unique educational experiences that will hopefully lead them to further studies and careers in STEM science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. The initiative offers professional development assistance for teachers, both live and virtual workshops for school groups, and five-day research-immersion programs for selected students from across the state. Those lucky enough to be involved with the research-immersion programs will get to work on an experimental project related to a real-world problem, alongside TRI scientists with whom they can discuss their findings. And, on top of everything else, the students in these programs will be assessed on two written tasks related to the project, and may receive an ATAR adjustment for entry into selected UQ degrees, giving them a further head start on a STEM career.

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For more information about these scholarships, please view our brochure or contact the SPARQ-ed office on 07 , or at sparqed uq. Armed with this new found knowledge, the group headed next door to the lab for the first step of the experiment. In past projects, participants have used advanced cell and molecular biology techniques to create gene constructs used in research into metabolic disorders and prostate cancer, create libraries of mutated versions of genes important in molecular virology and cancer research, cloned segments of genes involved in the regulation of the cell cycle and observed the localisation and function of important proteins within cancer cells. To encourage participation across Queensland, Lions Medical Research Foundation, offers scholarships to students from regional and remote Queensland designed to assist in costs associated with travel and accommodation. High school students from all over Queensland visit the lab space for full day or week long science immersion programs. After an introduction to microscopy in the classroom, the students toured the core facilities which are used by the researchers in the TRI including Microscopy and Flow Cytometry. The program is aimed at Year aspiring STEM kids to give a taste of third-year university biochemistry and research. Share This Share this post with your friends! The techniques used included the polymerase chain reaction, site-directed mutagenesis, genetic recombination and transformation of bacteria, DNA sequencing and fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Researchers from the institutes within the TRI teach classes, provide experiments to replicate real research projects and work alongside SPARQ-ed teacher Ezequiel Balmori Melian to develop the interactive program. Sharing her thoughts on the program, Katie stated, "I am interested in knowing how genetics affects the livestock. Through this program, I have learned lab skills with highly precise equipment, data analysis, and interpretation of microscope cell images and gained an insight into biochemistry research. I love helping people. So I was just really lucky that a job came up to run a microscopy facility. The worksheet to practice pipette accuracy, after being picked up and turned into a not-so -accurate but artistic result Juliet from Western Australia and Stephanie from Victoria practicing their pipette skills Student participant Denny from South Australia had an impressive knowledge of the make up of cells and DNA.

The program is aimed at Year aspiring STEM kids to give a taste of third-year university biochemistry and research.

Search for:. The techniques used included the polymerase chain reaction, site-directed mutagenesis, genetic recombination and transformation of bacteria, DNA sequencing and fluorescence and confocal microscopy. The worksheet to practice pipette accuracy, after being picked up and turned into a not-so -accurate but artistic result. Students went back and forth from the lab to the classroom space, washing their hands, removing their safety goggles and lab coats each time - just like the scientists working in the TRI building. I did a PhD and all that. Through this program, I have learned lab skills with highly precise equipment, data analysis, and interpretation of microscope cell images and gained an insight into biochemistry research. Scholarships are awarded based on time of application to students who are attending their first research immersion program Scholarship funds will be made available to parents or nominated guardians of the students following successful completion of the research immersion program. Her time there confirmed that this is her chosen career and she has now decided on her university course for next year. Her interest peaked as she learned how they test cattle to identify specific genetic traits that can be passed on to their offspring. For Katie, the program provided a chance to explore the impact of genetics on livestock, aligning with her curiosity about cattle breeding. Molly, driven by her love for science and aspirations to become an obstetrician, gynecologist, and neonatal surgeon, eagerly embraced the chance to explore a real laboratory setting. This may be alternative accommodation with friends or family or other accommodation organized by their family. The program not only fueled their passion for genetics but also broadened their perspectives on potential career paths within the scientific field. In past projects, participants have used advanced cell and molecular biology techniques to create gene constructs used in research into metabolic disorders and prostate cancer, create libraries of mutated versions of genes important in molecular virology and cancer research, cloned segments of genes involved in the regulation of the cell cycle and observed the localisation and function of important proteins within cancer cells.