Published: Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 3:09 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 3:09 p.m.

Nineteen students, ages 10 to 15, spent part of their summer vacation in a microbiology lab at the University of Florida, learning about tiny microbes that have a huge impact on humans.

Its something you cant see or hear, but microbes are everywhere, said Arjun Panicker, 13.

The first summer microbiology apprenticeship program at UF was launched by Monika Oli, a professor in the microbiology and cell science department and UFs current Teacher of the Year.

Oli, who has two children of her own, said there arent many opportunities for middle school-aged children to get laboratory experience, which might help draw them into science.

Its important to capture their attention now.

A lot of times, we lose students of that age group, especially girls, she said.

The apprenticeship program was designed to pique students interest in science, but also to show the intersections of science with art, culture and society.

To help make those connections, Oli invited guests to speak to the students, including other microbiology professors, artists and local author Shelley Fraser Mickle.

Above all, the program aimed to teach students real-life lessons about science.

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Young students get real-life lessons in science