The future of Australian medical research is looking bright thanks to a new initiative giving Queensland secondary students the chance to complete a unique research immersion program.
Launched today and led by Professor Ian Frazer, SPARQ-ed (Students Performing Advanced Research Queensland) is the first of its kind in Queensland and is an initiative of UQ's Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine and the Queensland Government's Department of Education and Training (DET).
The program brings together leading biomedical researchers with senior high school students and teachers to participate in week-long programs where real research is done by students and fed back into UQ projects.
The program has been developed by an experienced science teacher employed by DET in order to ensure it is compatible with the Queensland curriculum. Once the program is fully up and running early next year, SPARQ-ed will host around 300 students annually from all over Queensland.
Two years ago the ball was set in motion to develop an educational learning centre that would be unlike any other in Australia.
"Biomedical research in Queensland is world class, and yet students are reluctant to consider research as a career option," the 2006 Australian of the Year said.
"By giving students a hands on introduction to biomedical research, mentored jointly by their science teachers and leading research staff, this unique facility would provide Queensland with a more scientifically literate community."
Apart from the research immersion program, SPARQ-ed will also include a professional development program for high school science teachers, ensuring that the latest techniques and developments in the biomedical sciences are reaching students.
An outreach program is also being developed for primary and lower secondary schools and a specialised web-portal.
The SPARQ-ed laboratories are based on the Princess Alexandra Hospital Campus and kindly provided by Queensland Health.
The new Translational Research Institute (TRI) building, due for completion in 2012, will include purpose-built facilities for SPARQ-ed, including teaching laboratories and a classroom.
Suitable corporate partners are being sought to help maximise the program's potential.
SPARQ-ed was launched today by the Minister for Education and Training, The Honourable Geoff Wilson MP at the Diamantina Institute.
Media: Danielle Fischer (07 3240 6623) or Erik Dewit (07 3346 7086, e.dewit@uq.edu.au)
** High resolution images of students working in the Diamantina laboratories are available by contacting d.fischer@uq.edu.au
Further Information:
Diamantina Institute
The UQ Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine was established in 2007 and aims to develop a better understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of disease, and to translate that understanding into practical outcomes for patients. Based at the Princess Alexandra Hospital campus in Brisbane, the Institute has almost 200 researchers, students and support staff who work closely with clinicians in the areas of cancer biology, immunology and metabolic medicine.
