BioEYES Australia

“I learnt just how exciting and interesting science really is, especially when you are doing a hands on activity such as this. I learnt a lot about the zebrafish and also about cells, reproduction and how animals grow from just a little embryo to an animal.”

Year 10 student John Monash Science School, Clayton Victoria 2010  
      

BioEYES Australia is an innovative, hands-on approach to teaching primary and secondary students about developmental biology, stem cells and regeneration. Over the course of a week, students watch the transparent eggs of zebrafish, Danio rerio, change from a single-celled zygote to a larval fish. Through school incursions facilitated by University lecturers and researchers students study the lifespan and development of zebrafish anatomy, habitat and genetics.

BioEYES Australia teaches life science skills while exciting children about the thrill of scientific discovery. Students are encouraged to develop their critical thinking skills, learn to use zebrafish as a research model, perform collaborative experiments with classmates and study anatomy, circulation, respiration, genetics and habitat. BioEYES Australia aims to capture the inherent enthusiasm and excitement that students have for science while opening their minds to possible and fulfilling futures in this field. Moreover it is a powerful aid for science teachers working within the Australian National Curriculum. Click here for an overview of how BioEYES fits with the National Curriculum.

BioEYES was created in the USA in 2002. More than 34,000 students in America have been involved in BioEYES since its inception.

In 2010 ARMI introduced the BioEYES program to Australia in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IRM). A pilot program ran during National Science Week with year 10 students at the John Monash Science School and year 4 students from Bentleigh West Primary School. During the pilot, more than 200 students were involved. The pilots were taught by Jamie Shuda, one of the creators of BioEYES and Director of Life Science Outreach at the UPenn IRM. To ensure the long-term potential for the program, Jamie also trained 40 teachers during a professional development day. Since then, hundreds of more students and teachers in and around Melbourne have participated in the program

The program was funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology ARMI is striving to expand the program by establishing and training teachers who can, in conjunction with University staff, deliver the program to students.

Latest News http://www.monash.edu.au/news/show/opening-students-eyes-to-the-wonders-of-science

For more information contact: Michael Spiegel                   Head, Strategic Development      Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute   michael.spiegel@monash.edu  +61 3 9902 9606

Dr. Sharon Flecknoe Early Year Bioscience Coordinator  School of Biomedical Science, Monash University       sharon.flecknoe@monash.edu   +61 3 9905 1547

Information on BioEYES can be found at: www.bioeyes.org