Sparq-ed

Sparq-ed students seized the opportunity to delve into sparq-ed 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, sparq-ed, and neonatal surgeon, eagerly embraced the chance to explore a real laboratory setting.

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

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. If all goes according to plan, the work done by the participants should be able to contribute to the work of the research group. These programs are conducted in a dedicated teaching laboratory on the ground floor of TRI, under the supervision of a Coordinator an experienced registered science teacher and tutors drawn from TRI's post-graduate students. 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. 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 sparq-ed pipette sparq-ed, 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, sparq-ed. Enrolling your daughter at Girls Grammar has never been easier, sparq-ed.

High school students from all over Queensland visit the lab space for full day or week long science immersion programs. 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. The students were introduced to an explanation of the structure of a cell, describing how they would break this apart in the lab. To do this, the students learned some basic lab techniques including the use of a pipette and centrifuge. Armed with this new found knowledge, the group headed next door to the lab for the first step of the experiment. In many cases that skill could be the ability to use a pipette accurately and efficiently to conduct repetitive experiments.

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.

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. While the LMRF focuses on ground-breaking medical research, it is also well aware that to continue advancing the state of medical science, we as a society must keep training new scientists. Unfortunately, it is a sad fact that not all students have the same access to educational opportunities, whether for reasons of cost, travel distance, or other obstacles. In , for example, budding scientists from Toowoomba, Gatton, Peregian Springs, Dalby, and Rockhampton were all awarded support with one student choosing to defer the assistance until They were active participants in exciting, rewarding projects concerning cloaking antibodies and also DNA repair. However, as a not-for-profit organisation, we are reliant on fundraising activities and generous donations. The latter are tax deductible, so if you can afford to contribute to our efforts to back both cutting-edge research and the scientists of tomorrow, please do.

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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 students were introduced to an explanation of the structure of a cell, describing how they would break this apart in the lab. 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. But if you learn skills, solid foundation skills that you get good at through repetition and hard work, you will be ready when those opportunities come up. We performed a two-day experiment in a level two lab using human cell lines and micropipettes. 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. Facing a scarcity of high-quality science programs for students in lower grades, Molly leaped at the opportunity presented by the SPARQ-ed program. Recent Posts See All. Armed with this new found knowledge, the group headed next door to the lab for the first step of the experiment. Once the application and approval process has been completed eligible students will be contacted with further information about applying for the scholarship. So I was just really lucky that a job came up to run a microscopy facility. 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.

To do this, the students learned some basic lab techniques including the use of a pipette and centrifuge. Juliet from Western Australia said she was impressed with the facility. The worksheet to practice pipette accuracy, after being picked up and turned into a not-so -accurate but artistic result. For more information about these scholarships, please view our brochure or contact the SPARQ-ed office on 07 , or at sparqed uq. 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. Lunch break in the talking circle, designed for collaborative conversation, with all parties in a circular seating pattern being equal as opposed to traditional rectangular meeting spaces and power structures. These artistic looking liquids are just coloured water, but provide the building blocks to move on to working with bacterial DNA. 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. I did a PhD and all that.