Science and STEM

Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) Excursion Success! 

By Mat Catarinich 

Year 10 Applied Science students attended sessions at the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) in late term 1 as part of their investigation into forensic science. Students were presented with a fictional crime scene and performed blood typing diagnostics and gel electrophoresis to create a DNA profile of their suspects in order to place a suspect at the crime scene. 

With the guidance of GTAC scientist mentors, students used equipment and techniques used by real forensic scientists in the lab and used these practical activities to learn more about the structure and function of DNA. It was a fantastic hands-on learning experience and the students thoroughly enjoyed putting what they had learned in the classroom into practice in a real world setting. 

A big thank you to all the teachers and support staff involved in this two-day event: Kabita Prasad, Michelle Lott, Amanda Herbert, Natalie Sloan, Scott Jones, Nia Ntotas and Karen Fallon.