UP with SCIENCE
UP with SCIENCE is a science enrichment program run by the Discovery Centre at TUKS and the Schools of the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. The
program targets senior secondary school pupils and gives them the opportunity to sharpen their knowledge of, and interest in science. Approximately 50 learners from Grade 10 are selected
annually to take part in a three-year program. The program runs through grades 11 and 12, and includes Saturday classes once a month and a winter school once a year.
Participants who meet the requirements of the program, as well as the admission requirements for a Bachelors degree in science, will receive a full tuition scholarship. The scholarship will allow the student to study a degree in any of the participating Schools in the Natural and Agricultural Sciences Faculty of the University of Pretoria.
At the start of 2005, several grade 11 students were identified to work on the Genetics project at FABI. Two Masters students, James Mehl (supported through the DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology (CTHB)) and Elsie de Meyer (supported through the TPCP), assisted the students who were given a project in which they had to identify a ‘mystery’ mushroom species. This was done using various molecular genetic tools. The students spent four Saturdays during the first semester and one week during their winter holiday at FABI completing these projects. DNA was isolated from the mushroom species. Regions of the DNA were then amplified using PCR and sequenced with the ABI Prism 3100 sequencer. Each of the segments was compared to entries in the NCBI website to identify their mystery mushrooms.
We are pleased to announce that
Sinah and Muzi (photo: middle and right, with Tshegofatso Kekana on the left) have been chosen to represent this FABI team of learners, and together with
two other successful teams from the UP with Science program, go forward to the National Expo finals on 30 September 2005. We wish them well and hope that they walk away with the
prize!!
On the third of September 2005, grade 10 learners experienced the genetics component of the UP with Science project. This component, run by Professor Brenda Wingfield, involved the extraction of DNA, a fungal tasting session and an introduction to the activities of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI).
The DNA extraction focused on how household items can be used to extract DNA from an onion. Using dishwashing liquid, salt and methylated spirits, each student succeeded in isolating DNA. Some inquisitive minds decided to experiment with the procedure at home to find other tissues from which DNA can be extracted.
The fungal tasting experience was probably the highlight of the day. The students were given the opportunity to taste ten different kinds of mushrooms. They were treated to some products, such as Blue cheese and ginger beer, which use fungi during production.
The day ended with a video and DVD presentation on the activities of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) and FABI. This served to highlight the type and importance of the work done on trees and its associated diseases.
Once again, the UP with Science program proved to be a great success. Many minds were stimulated, and the pupils encouraged to explore the world of science surrounding them. Hopefully the enthusiasm of these students will spread to the younger generation who will also be encouraged to participate in the UP with Science programme in years to come.
Participants who meet the requirements of the program, as well as the admission requirements for a Bachelors degree in science, will receive a full tuition scholarship. The scholarship will allow the student to study a degree in any of the participating Schools in the Natural and Agricultural Sciences Faculty of the University of Pretoria.
At the start of 2005, several grade 11 students were identified to work on the Genetics project at FABI. Two Masters students, James Mehl (supported through the DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology (CTHB)) and Elsie de Meyer (supported through the TPCP), assisted the students who were given a project in which they had to identify a ‘mystery’ mushroom species. This was done using various molecular genetic tools. The students spent four Saturdays during the first semester and one week during their winter holiday at FABI completing these projects. DNA was isolated from the mushroom species. Regions of the DNA were then amplified using PCR and sequenced with the ABI Prism 3100 sequencer. Each of the segments was compared to entries in the NCBI website to identify their mystery mushrooms.
We are pleased to announce that
Sinah and Muzi (photo: middle and right, with Tshegofatso Kekana on the left) have been chosen to represent this FABI team of learners, and together with
two other successful teams from the UP with Science program, go forward to the National Expo finals on 30 September 2005. We wish them well and hope that they walk away with the
prize!!On the third of September 2005, grade 10 learners experienced the genetics component of the UP with Science project. This component, run by Professor Brenda Wingfield, involved the extraction of DNA, a fungal tasting session and an introduction to the activities of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI).
The DNA extraction focused on how household items can be used to extract DNA from an onion. Using dishwashing liquid, salt and methylated spirits, each student succeeded in isolating DNA. Some inquisitive minds decided to experiment with the procedure at home to find other tissues from which DNA can be extracted.
The fungal tasting experience was probably the highlight of the day. The students were given the opportunity to taste ten different kinds of mushrooms. They were treated to some products, such as Blue cheese and ginger beer, which use fungi during production.
The day ended with a video and DVD presentation on the activities of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) and FABI. This served to highlight the type and importance of the work done on trees and its associated diseases.
Once again, the UP with Science program proved to be a great success. Many minds were stimulated, and the pupils encouraged to explore the world of science surrounding them. Hopefully the enthusiasm of these students will spread to the younger generation who will also be encouraged to participate in the UP with Science programme in years to come.
