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Workshop experiences

School groups can participate in a variety of experiences to deepen knowledge and skills relating to the curriculum.

We’ll come to you—Incursion Workshops

Schools can book a 2-hour experimental workshop where our expert teachers will bring SPARQ-ed to you. Each incursion is supported by a teacher resource pack and CARA documents.

TOPICS:

  • Bacterial transformation: Science, Biology
  • Separating proteins: Science, Biology & Chemistry
  • Analysing proteins: Science/Maths, Biology & Chemistry
  • Working with enzymes: Science, Biology & Chemistry
  • DNA extraction from fruit: Upper Primary, Science

Complete the Program registration form and email to sparqed@uq.edu.au to book your experience.  You can also contact us to create a customised whole day experience consisting of any two of the above experiments.

Cost:

  • Schools with ICSEA value <950 - $ 50 per group of up to 28 students (You can check your school ICSEA index at the ‘My School’ website: https://www.myschool.edu.au)
  • Other schools - $100 per group of up to 28 students

For school groups— Excursion Workshops

School groups can participate in a single day workshop at our SPARQ-ed biomedical teaching facility. Students will advance their knowledge and skills in our PC2 Lab and Learning Centre. Each visit is supported with a resource pack, CARA documents and permission templates.

TOPICS:

  • Working with DNA: Science, Biology, Certificate III Laboratory Skills
  • Enzyme Inhibitors: Science, Biology & Chemistry, Certificate III Laboratory Skills
  • Cell Biology: Science, Biology, Certificate III Laboratory Skills
  • Other. Select two incursion topics (above) to customise your visit.

Complete the Program registration form and email to sparqed@uq.edu.au to book your experience. You can also contact us to create a customised whole day experience consisting of any two of the above experiments. 

Cost:

  • Schools with ICSEA value <950 - $ 50 per group of up to 24 students (You can check your school ICSEA index at the ‘My School’ website: https://www.myschool.edu.au)
  • Other schools - $350 per group of up to 24 students

Hear from our teachers—Virtual Lessons

Schools can book 45min – 1hour virtual lessons with our SPARQ-ed teachers who come to you via an online platform. Presentations have direct curriculum links and include reference to current research being conducted by world class scientists at the Translational Research Institute.

TOPICS:

  • Vaccine technologies: Biology, Science
  • Cancer genetics: Biology, Science
  • Other – contact us via phone/email to discuss

Complete the Program registration form and email to sparqed@uq.edu.au to book your experience.

Cost: Free. Contact us for more information including assumed knowledge of the lessons.

Online Biomedical Teaching Resources

Working with DNA

Online Lessons 

These lessons give an overview of making recombinant DNA, as it applies to the Queensland curriculum and to the  practical workshops students can do at SPARQ-ed.  The lessons are organised into three modules, and include presentations and worksheets. For an overview of how the modules are structured, and how they link with the curriculum, refer to this video on Youtube.  In addition, each of the presentations are provided with audio explanations on this Youtube Playlist.

Module 1—Introduction to DNA and the Tools of Biotechnology

Presentation A: What is DNA?

Booklet A: What is DNA?

Presentation B: Biotechnology: Recombinant DNA and Cloning

Booklet B: Biotechnology: Recombinant DNA and Cloning

Further Reading and Viewing

Module 2—The SPARQ-ed Workshop—Cloning GFP

Presentation A  The SPARQ-ed Workshop: Cloning GFP

Booklet A: The SPARQ-ed Workshop: Cloning GFP

Further Reading and Viewing

Module 3—Restriction Enzyme Analysis

Presentation  A: Using Restriction Enzymes

Presentation B: Interpreting DNA Data from Gel Electrophoresis

Booklet 3:  Restriction Enzyme Analysis Using Gel Electrophoresis

Further Reading and Viewing

Working with DNA Modules on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jkTm7QGrt8&list=PLf4iDx1knpDRchUTkaFS80oZDya1j54bk

 

Enzyme inhibitors

Β-galactosidase catalyses several reactions, including lactose digestion in humans. Participants will explore how its action can be inhibited competitively or noncompetitively. There is scope in this workshop to develop and complete Biology Unit 1 Student Experiments or Year 10 Chemistry Student Experiments.

Curriculum links: Biology Unit 1, Chemistry Unit 2, Year 9 & 10 ACARA Science
Target grade levels: Year 9, 10 and 11

Module 1 - Introduction to enzymes

Resource A: Introduction to enzymes presentation (PPTX, 37.3 MB)

Resource B: Student worksheet

Resource list:

Module 2 - Enzyme inhibitors

Resource A: Worksheet

Resource B: Worksheet

Resource list:

Cell biology

Participants will expose HeLa cells to varying concentrations  of salt. Using light microscope observations, they will draw conclusions about osmolarity of solutions. In the second part, they will explore the effect of growth factors on the differentiation of stem cells.

Curriculum Links: Biology Unit 1, Year 8 & 10 ACARA Science

Target grade levels: Year 7, 8, 10, 11

Module 1—Introduction to HeLa cells

Resource A: Student Worksheet

Resource B: HeLa timeline Worksheet

Resource C: Working with HeLa at SPARQ-ed

Resource List:

Articles and books

  • Who owns human tissues samples? Written by Dr Lesley Russell and published on the Australian Medical Association website. 
  • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.  Crown.  2010.  Later published by Broadway Books, 2011. 

Module 2—Osmolarity

Resource A—Hyper-, iso- and Hypo tonic solutions

Resource B—Observing cell responses at SPARQ-ed

Cell Biology - Observing effects of Salinity

Resource List:

 

Fees and booking information

SPARQ-ed fees

See above for the costs associated with each experience.

Fees are to be paid on confirmation of your workshop booking through UQ Payments, a Tax Invoice/Receipt will be available once completed. Information will be sent with your Booking Confirmation.

Booking information

Start the booking process by completing the Program registration form and send to sparqed@uq.edu.au or contact our SPARQ-ed team for advice.

Booking resources