High School students opened the door to tertiary education last week when they took part in The University of Queensland’s Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science and Technology (FEAST) program.
The annual five-day residential school, FEAST offers high school students from across Queensland and New South Wales the chance to sample university life and to explore the career options in the agricultural, animal, environment and food industries.
FEAST student Christine Hobbs said her experience from the program had given her the knowledge to understand the range of options available at university.
“FEAST gave me the opportunity to explore options that I had never considered before like, microbiology,” Ms Hobbs said.
“The interactive session that looked at food bacteria has now made me consider a career in food technology.”
The FEAST students took part in a range of activities on plants, food bacteria, toured a small animal clinic, visited the dairy, conducted a health check on a horse and heard from graduates who are currently working in industry.
Throughout the week each group also worked on a challenge designed to build their group work and presentation skills which is a pivotal part of assessment at university.
FEAST student Jillian Wilson enjoyed the challenge.
“The problem-solving activity was a great thinking exercise, a way to form friendships with people and show independence of thought,” Ms Wilson said.
FEAST is hosted by UQ's Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science and was developed in conjunction with the Queensland Agricultural Teachers Association.
UQ Gatton will be taking applications from grade 11 and 12 students early next year for the July 2010 FEAST Program.
For further information please visit the FEAST website.
Media: Erin Pearl at the Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Veterinary Science (07 5460 1229, 0409 265 587 or e.pearl@uq.edu.au)
