While undergraduate students were enjoying their mid-semester break, students from seven high schools around Dunedin had the opportunity to take their place in the department’s teaching lab.
Facilitator Judith Bateup said this year’s groups were just as enthusiastic as ever. The senior students were given an introduction to Microbiology and Immunology, examining the form and structure of pond algae and protozoa samples.
Students from Kent Twaites’ Year 11 Otago Boys High School class were eager to take a look down the microscopes, asking the technicians plenty of questions. He said that while they are able to use lab equipment at school, they don’t always have the opportunity to engage with lots of experts who have real-world experience.
“There are some very bright sparks here that don’t necessarily know what they want to do yet, but we might light a few fires. For us as teachers, that’s what it’s all about.”
