Biomedical Science Immersion Day

John Monash Science School is known for all of the amazing opportunities it provides to students, especially the ones connected to Monash University.. Late term 2, on the 16th of June, the year 10s experienced one of these special opportunities: Biomedicine Immersion Day. Students spent the day at the Monash University Biomedicine Discovery Institute (Monash BDI) and immersed themselves in the dynamic world of biomedicine.

The day consisted of three hands-on components- workshops covering blood pressure, detecting COVID-19 and testing new cancer treatments. Each session was engaging and informative, giving a taste of a day in the life of a Biomedical Researcher. 

The students suited up in their lab coats and goggles and entered their first session with excitement. They conducted testing on cancer treatments in the morning, where they delved into practical lab work. They learned to create blood smears, stain cells, and prepare cells for microscopic analysis. This led to a fascinating exploration of the world of immunology and the role of white blood cells in distinguishing cancer-positive and cancer-negative samples.

Following that, they moved on to a second session—understanding blood pressure. They began with theory, learning about the significance of the physiological control of blood pressure before eagerly putting it into practice. They had the chance to measure their blood pressure and other key factors using the state-of-the-art Finapres Clinical Recording System, which non-invasively monitors finger arterial pressure. They tested how physical movement, mental challenges (including intense mental maths), and changes in elevation affected their blood pressure. The real-time data made the experience even more captivating.

For the final session, the students participated in the COVID-19 detection workshop, which was eye-opening and highly interactive. Through a simulation involving a hidden “infected” solution, they explored how easily a virus can spread, mirroring real-world outbreaks. They then took on the role of biomedical scientists by carefully pipetting and testing for antigen-positive and antigen-negative solutions—a lengthy process that many professionals carry out every day.

Although the day came to a close, the memory will last a long time. Photos were taken, memories were made, and, most importantly, they walked away with a deeper appreciation and understanding of this crucial area of science, as well as a possible glimpse into the future.

The JMSS staff and students would like to express their most heartfelt appreciation to the Monash University School of Biomedicine for such a memorable day.

~ Dr Penelope Hale