Published: Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 3:09 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 3:09 p.m. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Its something you cant see or hear, but microbes are everywhere, said Arjun Panicker, 13. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Its important to capture their attention now. <\/p>\n
A lot of times, we lose students of that age group, especially girls, she said. <\/p>\n
The apprenticeship program was designed to pique students interest in science, but also to show the intersections of science with art, culture and society. <\/p>\n
To help make those connections, Oli invited guests to speak to the students, including other microbiology professors, artists and local author Shelley Fraser Mickle. <\/p>\n
Above all, the program aimed to teach students real-life lessons about science. <\/p>\n
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\nYoung students get real-life lessons in science<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"