Science

Melbourne Excursion:

Making connections – Neuroscience illuminating the pathways affecting our behaviour and health

A small group of students (Ethan Spokes, Emily Cooper, Deanna Stothers, Amelia Kennedy, Abbie Cozzi, and King Chaiphon) attended GTAC and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health in Melbourne on Friday 17th May. At GTAC, students heard from current young researchers regarding the discovery of treatments for motor neuron disease and pathways to understanding addiction. Students also participated in laboratory workshops where they used DNA technology to identify a gene mutation and light microscopy to investigate the pathology of Motor Neuron Disease. In the second workshop, students used spectrophotometry to search for a treatment for methanol poisoning. On the tour at Florey Institute, the students observed the scientist using tools to slice and prepare brain and nerve samples for microscopy to study Alzheimer’s disease in animal models.

GTAC scientists visit MSC

We had a number of scientists and educators from GTAC (the Gene Technology Access Centre) visit MSC on Wednesday 5th June. They worked with our Year 8 students, who learnt about the effects of smoking on the respiratory system and explored issues around infertility. A highlight was using high quality microscopes to view live boar semen to do a sperm count.

“I thought the GTAC experience was fun because the people were nice and the activities were really fun and I like how we got to meet real scientists” Ella Smit, Year 8

“I thought the GTAC experience was going to be just watching videos and answering questions but it was actually so interesting because we got to use microscopes and we learnt how the hair in the lungs worked and also what was the effect of tar in cigarettes” Taylor Tomamichel, Year 8.