SCIENCE

YEAR 9 SCIENCE ELMS BIOEYES INCURSION

Earlier this term our Year 9 Science ELMS students were involved in a week-long program called BioEYES. BioEYES is an innovative, hands-on approach to teaching where students perform collaborative experiments and use critical thinking skills to make hypotheses, observe development and draw conclusions. The BioEYES program looks at biomedical science, particularly zebrafish and their genetic similarities to humans. A scientist from the Outreach Education Centre at Monash University led this program. 

The students had the opportunity to observe zebrafish throughout their life cycle from eggs to young fish (fry) or juvenile development. On day one the zebrafish mated and we collected the transparent fertilized eggs. The students discussed the genetic relationships of offspring and parents in zebrafish and humans. Discussions were held regarding the pigmentation (colour) of the zebrafish. Using microscopes, the students observed the embryonic development of the zebrafish over the week. Following their observations, the students drew labelled diagrams including the development of the eyes, heart and circulatory system. To conclude the program students collected information regarding the percentage of male and female offspring from examining pigmentation of the fry.

Cherie Marks

Head of Science

Student reflections:

BioEYES was a great program. We learned a whole lot about developmental biology, biomedicine, and zebrafish in general. The instructors from Monash University were extremely nice, and the embryonic development was interesting. Overall, it was a great program and I would definitely do it again if I had the chance! 

Manny Alford

I learnt more about how we can inherit traits from this experiment. It was very fun looking at all the zebrafish embryos and watching them grow up.

Bella Duong

It was fun and interesting, I also learnt a lot about genetics and zebra fish.

Rowan Gadhia

My favourite part of the BioEYES incursion was when we observed the fish and wrote down their features, as well as seeing them develop over a short period of time.

Joshua Golembo

I have learnt about zebra fishes; I am really happy and enjoyed the incursion especially with the fish. Hope there are more incursions like this. It is very fun.

Amy Hao

The BioEYES incursion was an eye-opening experience and allowed us to learn the stages of embryos firsthand, through the microscope, across the week. Watching the embryos move, still in the chorion, has definitely been the highlight of the term!

Sara Hew

BioEyes was probably the best incursion that I have ever done, it was super interesting, the people were really nice and they explained things really well, and it was fun! We studied how physical traits pass from the parents to the offspring, and we saw how the eggs from our parents developed day-by-day under a microscope. It was definitely something I would recommend to everyone and do again myself. 

Alice Jamieson

The BioEYES excursion was quite an interesting experience. Watching the embryos develop and working on the worksheet was a fun experience. I would wholeheartedly recommend the excursion for other classes.

Ryan Liu

The BioEYES incursion was a memorable experience that really sparked an interest in biology. It showed me the intricacies of genetics in a really practical way. 

Mark Mao

The BioEYES was a remarkable experience that allowed my peers and I to learn about biomedical science and its workings. We all found it an intriguing and unforgettable experience to explore the cycle of zebrafish.

Solana Snell