Outreach program
In addition to carrying out research at the cutting edge of biochemistry and cell biology, LIMS is committed to provoking an interest in science amongst secondary school students and inspiring them to pursue a career in science.
LIMS’ Outreach program sees LIMS scientists and school students come together to celebrate science participate in genuine science learning. LIMS will run innovative outreach programs to more than 2500 secondary school students across the Northern Melbourne region in order to expose young people to university research and higher education.
Throughout 2010 a total of 1600 students and 500 teachers from 70 schools participated in a range of science outreach programs.
The Outreach program caters to both VCE and Year 9 students.
VCE Program
The VCE component of the Outreach program is a series of workshops in instrumental analysis, aspirin synthesis, water chemistry, immunology and disease and nanotechnology. These workshops provide high school students with the opportunity to work at the laboratory bench under the guidance of experienced staff and young postgraduates, as well as provide a glimpse of what it is like to study science at a university. In 2010, the VCE Program attracted over 1000 students and their teachers from local and regional schools.
Year 9 Out-of Class Program
LIMS Outreach Year 9 Out-of-Class Program has enjoyed great success in providing Year 9 students with fun examples of the work of carried out by research scientists. By performing laboratory experiments, and carrying out discussions about the ethical and social implications associated with science, this program aims to promote the rewarding careers led by scientists.
The program has gained interest amongst local schools with approximately 300 students from Ivanhoe Grammar School, Pascoe Vale Secondary College, Eltham College, Epping Secondary College and Parade College participating in the program in 2010.
Students visited the University where they interacted with academics, librarians, pre-service teachers to explore science questions and issues not presented in the school curriculum. The lab tours also give students an opportunity to see firsthand a working research laboratory, and importantly a taste of what it is like to be a university student.