Tartu Tamme Middle School Biology Workshop

On 10th of May 2023 took place Tartu Tamme Middle School biology workshop for their 8th grade students. The workshop was conducted by COMBIVET and OH-Boost project members working with the Estonian University of Life Sciences and the University of Tartu. 
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Pipetting is the basis of scientific experiments. Many experiments require precise pipetting of different solutions, where any small change can alter the experimental results. Therefore, we let the students try pipetting different types of solutions (liquid, foamy, viscous, easily evaporating), taught them how to use different pipetting techniques and showed the differences between manual and automatic pipettes.

Cells are the basis of life, and their visualization is often part of biological experiments. In order to see the cells better under the microscope, they often need to be stained first. We introduced young researchers to two different staining methodologies: chemical and fluorescent staining. We showed how to use different microscopes and what are the good practices of using a laboratory room to protect yourself and others when using different chemicals (NB: We did not use toxic or corrosive chemicals for staining!). In addition, we taught how the use of several dyes together allows staining different parts of cells (cell nucleus and cell membrane) or different cell types (red and white blood cells).

Tree leaves, which only look green to the eye, actually contain more pigments than just green (chlorophyll). Chlorophyll, the main pigment in leaves, hides other pigments. To see the hidden pigments, these pigments must be separated from each other. Our young researchers were able to see how pigments of different sizes move at different speeds, and thus they gained the knowledge that a seemingly green leaf has a wide range of different colours.
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The young researchers had also a chance to visit the Estonian University of Life Sciences Zoomeedikum building Anatomy Museum where they were introduced the importance of knowing anatomy. 
 
If you would also like to apply for a workshop coordinated by our team, please e-mail us [email protected]