Bio40 students from Prairie Rose School Division recently experienced an immersive Ag Biotech Day, diving deep into the wonders of biotechnology in agriculture. Led by teacher Rosanne Massinon, the day was packed with engaging activities and enlightening presentations.
The day started with a warm welcome from Janelle Hacault, a Bioscience Association of Manitoba presenter. Hacault shared her insights into various careers in bioscience, ranging from pharmaceuticals and clean energy to agriculture. Her talk highlighted the diverse opportunities available in the field, sparking curiosity and interest among the students.
“As a generous gesture, her organization also sponsored the lunch, which made the day even more special,” said Massinon.
Following Hacault’s presentation, students eagerly transitioned to the heart of the day’s activities: the gel electrophoresis labs. Guided by Kent Lewarne from Nutrients for Life, students got hands-on experience with this sophisticated technique, which involves loading DNA onto a gel and using electricity to create a DNA fingerprint.
“He’s a retired teacher with a wealth of experience, so he made sure that students not only learned the technical skills but also understood the significance of their work.”
A presentation from Kevin Falk, a plant geneticist at Corteva Agriscience, further enriched the day. Falk, a local success story who graduated from Carman Collegiate and now holds a PhD, shared his journey into the field of plant genetics.
Massinon said his talk on genetic engineering was informative and inspiring, demonstrating the exciting possibilities within agricultural science.
“His connection to the community and his passion for genetics provided a relatable and motivating example for the students. The neat part was that he was sitting in their chairs 20 years ago, not realizing that there are so many cool careers in science in agriculture. It’s one of those things that weren’t really talked about back then. So, it’s really the goal of the day, not only to get this hands-on experience but to know that yes, you can do science in health care, but there’s also a big industry here where lots of science takes place. Especially when you talk about genetics. That’s a lot of what Kevin’s presentation was about. He took on a summer job when he was a high school student for a local ag company and got into genetics that way. Now he’s a geneticist.”
Massinon said the students were quite inquisitive, asking questions and participating in discussions, throughout the day. A student survey conducted before and after the presentations showed a notable increase in interest in biotech and agricultural careers.
She added that using portable gel electrophoresis kits, which Prairie Rose School Division shares with Prairie Spirit School Division, played a crucial role in the day’s success. These kits, funded through special grants, have been a valuable resource for 15 years, allowing students to gain practical experience with advanced scientific equipment.”
She described Biotech Day as a big success. “The response was great. The whole point is just to get the students using the tools and get a grasp of what lab work looks like. It’s all about learning the process and gaining some experience, and maybe plant some seeds of interest in a potential field of biotechnology. The collective expertise and experience of our guests provided a memorable and educational experience for our students. We’re looking forward to hosting this event again next year.”
