Mentoring the next generation of scientific researchers

Volume 10 Number 10 October 13 - November 9 2014

 

An advanced program is giving high school students the opportunity to work with University of Melbourne mentors to find answers to scientific research questions of their own devising. By Stuart Winthrope.

Most science students do not conduct self-designed, original research until the later stages of an undergraduate degree or an honours year.

However, student Kathy Chang (right) at the Elizabeth Blackburn School of Sciences (EBSS) is one of this year’s first cohort of 87 students working with a mentor to complete the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Unit 3-4 Extended Investigation subject.

Under the guidance of optometry and vision sciences researcher Dr Laura Downie, Ms Chang is investigating how well contact lens wearers’ hygiene routines match up with best practice.

The EBSS is a sub-school of the University High School, with select entry open to students across Victoria. 

Established within the internationally renowned Parkville Precinct on the Bio21 site, it is a result of the collaboration between the Victorian Government, the University High School and the University of Melbourne, including the Bio21 Institute and Melbourne Graduate School of Education with the aim of providing students a deeper engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.

Students at the school work with a research mentor to develop a scientific research question, formulate and test a hypothesis, and then analyse and present the results of the investigation in a 4,000-word written report.

The students must also explain the investigation and support their research findings in an oral presentation to a non-specialist panel.

Ms Chang says working with Dr Downie opened her eyes to new research methods.

 “Having a mentor has been really helpful, because Laura’s help led me to sources that have been important for my research project,” she says. 

One of the methods Dr Downie suggested was a localised survey, which they conducted across the school and Melbourne community.

The results showed that there were gaps in best practice, particularly when it came to the replacement schedule and proper disinfecting of lenses and cases.

“One of the most common responses was for people to change their contact lenses ‘when they felt like changing them,’ and that’s really not what should be occurring if we consider the eye health risks associated with inappropriately extending the life of contact lenses,” Dr Downie says. 

Meanwhile, Ms Chang says the results showed many people used tap water to wash their lenses and cases.

Dr Downie says a number of studies has shown there are increased risks with the use of tap water for contact lens maintenance procedures.

Of particular concern is the Acanthamoeba parasite, which is ubiquitous even in treated tap water. 

“It can be a significant risk for contact lens wearers as it may lead to severe, sight-threatening corneal infections,” she says.

Ms Chang hopes that her research will contribute to better understanding of current contact lens hygiene practices, as a foundation for developing new technologies to reduce the risk of such infections. 

“We were expecting many people to not comply with best practice standards. I’m hoping that this project can lead on to other research that can improve care in those areas.”

Ms Chang will highlight where lens wearers are meeting and missing hygiene practices and how guidelines might be improved before presenting her final report to a panel for her end-of-year assessment.

However, she says scientific research is a path she would consider after she completes her VCE.

“I would talk to my friends about our projects and we agreed that even after this program we’d still want to continue researching some of our topics, instead of just ending with our oral report,” she says.

Bio21 Institute director Professor Tony Bacic emphasised EBSS’ role in developing the learning and teaching of the broader sciences. 

“Students and teachers are exposed to the career options available in science and gain insight into the latest scientific research and cutting-edge technologies,” he says. 

“It is an investment in the future growth and sustainability of Australia’s scientific research and innovation sector and together we are working towards increasing the number and level of performance of school and university science, maths and engineering graduates and teachers.”

Dr Downie says she saw the program as a way to inspire the next generation of researchers.

“Being a research mentor has given me the opportunity to share my passion for optometry and clinical research with Kathy,” she says.

“Through this project, she has gained insights both into optometry as a clinical discipline, as well as how this pathway can be combined with research.

“Being able to help Kathy pursue her research interests is something that I have found to be really valuable.”

 

www.science.unimelb.edu.au