Year 10 and 11 students from Mackay, Clermont, Sarina and Proserpine schools certainly do.

The students participated in biology workshops this week with CQU lecturer Anthony Wheeler, as part of the Central Queensland University National Science Week activities.

Fascinated students watched with interest as Dr Wheeler demonstrated how the heart of a cane toad still beats, even when the brain is dead. He also demonstrated how the lungs of a cow expand and contract and students viewed a cow’s heart, trachea and other organs.

But – it’s not all gory and grotesque. The Environmental Science workshop with CQU lecturer Judith Wake involved students taking samples from the CQU pond and looking for micro-organisms under microscopes.

Dr Wake said, “The workshops are designed to give students a real university experience and to generate a level of interest in studying science at university that may not have been present before.".

Other science workshops included Multi-Media, Physics, Health and a special chemistry presentation by Dr Todd Houston, guest lecturer from Griffith University who was at CQU Mackay on behalf of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Students enjoyed a barbecue lunch between workshops and budding science students had the opportunity to chat with CQU lecturers about courses of study on campus.

According to Vivien Clift, organiser of CQU Science Week, “the science workshops have been very successful and enjoyed by all students who participated.".

Photo 1: Students participate in Dr Anthony Wheeler’s Biology workshop.

Photo 2: CQU Environmental Science lecturer Dr Judith Wake helps students identify micro-organisms.