Next Gen School Programs

Discover how technology and engineering have allowed medical scientists to venture into the human body.

Students are immersed into the world of science through a fun investigation centred around problem-solving in a researcher’s world.

This hands-on experience explores how to use one of the most important scientific tools in life sciences today – the micropipette.

Using their problem-solving skills, LED microscopes, the micropipette, and their research information skills, your students will be challenged to solve our mystery.

This booklet contains information about bus parking, payment and pricing, cancellations, evacuation maps, and more.

Activity duration: 2 hours

Max class size: 40 students
Price per student:

• $20 per student per session for 20 or more
• Less than 20 students per session: a flat fee of $400 applies

Curriculum Links
ACSSU 094, ACSHE 098, ACSIS 104, ACSIS 221

Explore the structure and function of cell organelles in a fun puzzle activity and learn how cells work together and cooperate to make multicellular organisms.

Next, they will investigate the size and scale of the microscopic world using our giant rulers.

This will be followed by a lab activity that investigates the story of the first human cells to ever be grown in a laboratory. These cells are known as HeLa cells. Students will gain an understanding of the history of HeLa cells and then go on to stain HeLa cells. Under a microscope, they will examine the differences between these cancerous cells and healthy human cells.

This booklet contains information about bus parking, payment and pricing, cancellations, evacuation maps, and more.

Activity duration: 5 hours

Max class size: 40 students
Price per student:

• $50 per student per day for 20 or more
• Less than 20 per day students: a flat fee of $1000 applies

Curriculum Links
Australian Curriculum Year 8
SU 149, 150 SHE 134, 135, 136, 226 SIS 141, 144, 145, 146.

A great STEM investigation – testing and analysing patient samples.

Your students will step into the shoes of a pathologist to diagnose diabetes. Diabetes is one of the world’s fastest-growing chronic diseases and a research focus at the Perkins.

Students will use technology, including glucose meters and research protocols to determine glucose levels in patient samples. They will then conduct a biochemical test to determine the type of diabetes each patient has. This will enable the students to decide what treatment options are available for that patient.

Our Perkins researchers will guide students through the use of different techniques to record, graph, and analyse their patient samples as they design the best treatment plan for each patient.

This booklet contains information about bus parking, payment and pricing, cancellations, evacuation maps, and more.

Activity duration: 5 hours

Max class size: 30 students
Price per student:

• $50 per student per day for 20 or more
• Less than 20 students per day: a flat fee of $1000 applies

Curriculum Links 
Australian Curriculum Year 9
SU 175, SHE 158,160, SIS 166,165,169,170,171,172

Discover how the latest genetic knowledge is helping us move closer to more effective, personalised treatments for disease.

The students’ day at the Perkins includes two engaging sessions hosted by research scientists. They will help students discover how tools are used to uncover clues to better understand disease.

Guided by our great team of Perkins researchers, students will learn about how CRISPR and bioinformatics work. They will discover how these tools are used to develop improved treatments and diagnostic tests for medical conditions. Students will also learn how to use technical tools like a micropipette and mini-centrifuge to extract DNA from cells.

This booklet contains information about bus parking, payment and pricing, cancellations, evacuation maps, and more.

Prerequisite knowledge: Studying or completed a genetics topic.

Activity duration: 5 hours

Max class size: 40 students
Price per student:

• $50 per student per day for 20 or more
• Less than 20 students per day: a flat fee of $1000 applies

Curriculum Links
Australian Curriculum Year 10
SU 184, SHE 191, 192, 194, 195, 230, SIS 198, 204, 205, 206, 208.

Learn how research procedures and stem cells have provided a more accurate understanding of how to manage disease.

Session 1: Students will be guided by a researcher through the laboratory technique to thaw, prepare and stain stem cells used for investigating liver cancer.

Session 2: This session includes an insight into the developments and progress in stem cell research. It is followed by a fun, competitive exploration where students engage with tasks aimed at uncovering the secrets of stem cell research surrounding inherited retinal disease. A highlight includes each team being challenged to get the best score in the giant floor game ‘Start as a Stem Cell’.

The school leader board for our Stem Cell game can be found here.

This booklet contains information about bus parking, payment and pricing, cancellations, evacuation maps, and more.

Activity duration: 5 hours

Max class size: 40 students
Price per student:

• $50 per student per day for 20 or more
• Less than 20 students per day: a flat fee of $1000 applies

Curriculum links
Human Biology Year 11
Unit 2 Reproduction and Inheritance

SU statements
Stem cells have the ability to divide by mitosis and differentiate into many different tissues, depending on the level of cell potency.

SI statements
Conduct investigations, safely, competently and methodically for the collection of valid and reliable data.

Gain a deeper understanding of how mutations can be identified through PCR, gel electrophoresis and sequencing in interactive wet and dry lab activities.

In the dry lab, students will discuss PCR and play a competitive game to cement their understanding of the PCR process.

In the wet lab activity, students will set up a PCR reaction to amplify potentially mutated BRAF genes of three patients, followed by electrophoresis to visualise the outcome. The identification of this mutation can lead to improved treatment options for people diagnosed with melanoma. Students will learn first-hand how advances in research directly affect the lives of patients.

The school leader board for our PCR game can be found here.

This booklet contains information about bus parking, payment and pricing, cancellations, evacuation maps, and more.

Activity duration: 5 hours

Max class size: 30 students
Price per student:

• $50 per student per day for 20 or more
• Less than 20 students per day: a flat fee of $1000 applies

Curriculum Links

Biology Year 12 | Unit 3 Continuity of species
Human Biology Year 12 | Unit 4 Human Variation and Evolution

SU statements: Mutations in genes and chromosomes can result from errors in DNA replication, cell division or from damage caused by mutagens.

SHE statements: Developments in biotechnology have increased access to genetic information of species, populations and individuals, existing now or in the past, the interpretation and use of which may be open to ethical considerations.

SIS statements: Conduct investigations, including the use of virtual or real biotechnology techniques of PCR, gel electrophoresis for DNA sequencing.

Explore the primary, secondary and tertiary structures of proteins along with the formation of zwitterions and the role of functional groups.

They will then head to the lab for an investigation of antibiotic-resistant proteins. Using their chemical calculation skills and an electrolytic cell, students will carry out protein electrophoresis. Replicating the process research scientists use, students will apply their analytical skills to search the Protein Data Bank for key information about their sample. Using this information, students will then modify the structure of the protein to see if they can transform it into a more effective antibiotic.

This booklet contains information about bus parking, payment and pricing, cancellations, evacuation maps, and more.

Activity duration: 5 hours

Max class size: 30 students
Price per student:

• $50 per student per day for 20 or more
• Less than 20 students per day: a flat fee of $1000

Curriculum Links
Chemistry Year 12 | Unit 4
Organic chemistry and chemical synthesis

SU α-amino acid structure – primary, secondary and tertiary, peptides

SHU – Protein Data Bank

Are your students curious about university, medical research, and what lies beyond high school graduation? Our Perkins Personalities answer their burning questions.

From the comfort of your own classroom, have a face-to-face chat with a university science undergraduate, medical researcher or bioengineer.
Your class can learn about everything from science study skills, to university life, or what it’s like to work in a research laboratory. As your students ask the questions, the information is always relevant to them!

This program is available to everyone, but is an especially good opportunity for regional and remote schools, or schools who otherwise may not be able to visit the Perkins.

For a list of available Perkins Personalities, email [email protected]

Activity duration: 45 minutes

Cost: $100 this aids vital research and education programs at the Perkins.

Max class size: 35 students