Eighty high school students gained insight into career pathways in agriculture, science and technology last week at The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Gatton Campus.
The annual five-day residential program, Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science and Technology (FEAST) offered students in years 11 and 12 the chance to sample ‘a week in the life’ of a university student.
Throughout the program students participated in a series of interactive science based workshops, sampled life in the Halls of Residence, took part in UQ sport challenges and socialised at a semi-formal dinner.
They also investigated topics such as biosecurity, plant pathology, soil science, parasitology, and basic DNA techniques.
Tamara Noble, a participant from Nanango State High School, said she was excited about the opportunity to attend FEAST.
“Attending FEAST provided me with the opportunity to meet and discuss my ideas with other like-minded peers and current UQ students,” Tamara said.
“It also opened my eyes to the endless and exciting career options that are available in these areas.”
In 2012, a strong industry focus was incorporated into the program to reinforce the exciting career outcomes on offer to graduates.
UQ graduate and Communications Advisor (Education) for SEQwater, Aiba Godwin, presented a workshop with colleague Michael Fiechtner at the event.
“Our activity focused on the importance of catchment health, with the students participating in water quality testing activities,” Ms Godwin said.
“These included physical tests for turbidity and dissolved oxygen, and chemical tests for pH, nitrates and phosphates.
“It also highlighted that as an environmental scientist, or any type of scientist for that matter, that you are not limited to sitting behind a computer or confined to a lab all day.”
Geckoes Wildlife, Bugs Ed, the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) also participated in the event and presented a diverse range of sciences.
Applications for FEAST will open again in March 2013 via the Faculty of Science website.
For more information on the program or if you are interested in presenting a workshop please contact Karli Kollegger (k.kollegger@uq.edu.au) or Monique Nevison (m.nevison@uq.edu.au).
Media: Monique Nevison, ph +61 7 5460 1346 or m.nevison@uq.edu.au
