Cowra High School was one of eight schools in NSW and the only one in regional Australia to take part in the pilot back in May.

Cowra High School science teacher Megan Mackenzie said the funding would guarantee the program will run for the next three years at the school.  

“So we will get our three weeks with the equipment to run it each year,” she said. 

“It’s just such a great opportunity, our younger kids this year, we had a go at just the first session, none of the actual real science behind the biology,” she said. 

“It means for those guys in a couple of years when they are in Year 10, they will get to do the full program so they will get to see how it actually applies.” 

Other teachers at Cowra High will be undergoing the training next year to teach the program. 

Ms Mackenzie said the students will look at DNA to see if it has the specific gene they are looking for before putting that gene into a bacteria. The students will then grow the bacteria and see if they have successfully managed to put the gene into the bacteria. 

She said the equipment, which is loaded from the University of Sydney, is simplified but mirrors what is used in both tertiary institutions and in the science industry.

“For me, it shows them what science is like at university… university is just that step up in terms of equipment and everything. Being able to use the university equipment, just trying to inspire them.” 

With biotechnology set to be on the next HSC syllabus, Ms Mackenzie said the program will benefit their studies. 

“With the new syllabus, they are realising that biotechnology is where biology is really going, that is the future and biotechnology is actually part of the HSC course,” she said. 

“So for our upcoming students over the next few years, it’s going to actually directly relate to the syllabus outcomes.” 

The project will engage an expected 5000 students and 60 teachers in New South Wales over the next three years.