High School teachers given a taste of forensic science

30 local high school science teachers and lab technicians participated in a professional development day at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) on Wednesday 25 June 2008.

School staff were given a taste of forensic science participating in the ‘CSI: A Mouldy Murder' forensic investigation activity and shown how to create many optical illusions from scientific methods in ‘A Feast for the Senses'.

Director of the Southern Queensland Centre for Innovation and Professional Practice, Kay Lembo, said the program was designed as a follow on from the Accelerated Biomedical Science (ABMS) program to give teachers access to university resources.

'This is the first year it has been run. It enabled us to allow teachers who may not have been able to take part in the Teacher Professional Development part of the ABMS program to experience on campus facilities,' Ms Lembo said.

Oakey State High School Subject Area Coordinator for Science Russell Mackenzie said the day was very worthwhile.

'It is great to use the real microscopic equipment,' Mr Mackenzie said.

'It was great to hear the talk about DNA.  I've learnt so much more about DNA,' he said.

Mr Mackenzie said he would like to go back to school and set up a crime scene for the year 9 and 10 science classes.

Lorraine Biggin from Oakey State High School said she would like to introduce more gene studies into the school after participating in the program.

Teachers and lab technicians were also given a tour of laboratories, research centres and facilities provided by USQ.