First published 14 April 2020
Professor Dietmar W. Hutmacher, (pictured above) director of the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Additive Biomanufacturing based at IHBI and also chair of Regenerative Medicine at QUT, spoke with the students and answered their questions about the burgeoning field of biomedical engineering.
“We are delighted to share our expertise and knowledge with QACI students, and offer inspiration for future careers,” Professor Hutmacher said.
“Additive biomanufacturing is a burgeoning field of medicine. It is 3D printing of scaffolds for bone, tissue and cartilage replacement using “bioink” which are biological components that include the patient’s own cells.
“The ARC Centre is focussed on developing the next generation of additive biomanufacturing technology and training the future leaders of this field.
“This is why it is so important for Queensland’s high-achieving students to see and understand how this innovative research will benefit people across the world and is a career choice that will only grow and flourish and offer many opportunities.”
Professor Hutmacher said a reduction in Year 11 and 12 students undertaking STEM subjects, including biology, chemistry and physics, had been reported
“It has long been recognised that the learning environment plays an important role in students’ perception of science as a career and that science in schools must be more authentic to portray actual scientific work,” he said.
“One way to gain authenticity through teaching is the inquiry method. That’s why we started a unique program with QACI in partnership with QUT to prepare students for university study.
“This innovative educational program bridges high school and tertiary study while maximising high achieving students’ potential. QACI students study International Baccalaureate subjects with QUT researchers on biomedical 3D printing.”
QACI head of sciences Liam Clifford said Design Day was another example of the Queensland Academies QUT STEM Program that broadens student perspective about STEM futures.
“This was a wonderful opportunity to nurture high-achieving students’ development and extension of their scientific and technological skills.”