High school students impressed with UOIT’s MLS labs

Facilities at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology are cool, according to a group of high school students who recently visited the campus. Students from Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy (FMMCA) in Markham, Ontario attended tours of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) labs used by the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS).

The group of grade 11 and 12 students, who are enrolled in the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program in Health and Wellness at FMMCA, visited the MLS labs to experience all UOIT and the MLS program have to offer.

"It's always great to see young minds so interested in science," said Dr. Ellen Vogel, Dean, FHS. "These kids represent the future of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), so to be able to help nurture them and show the kids what they have to look forward to when they attend university is a wonderful experience for us."

The tour started with a general presentation by Adam Wu, Student Recruitment Officer, UOIT, on Admissions, Scholarships and Financial Aid and Student Life information. After the presentation the students were taken to the labs where they participated in a hands-on workshop with MLS faculty and staff.

The students were introduced to examples of the work done in the five main areas of the diagnostic lab:

• Chemistry
• Hematology
• Histotechnology
• Microbiology
• Transfusion medicine

“The workshops were, in the words of the FMMCA students, ‘cool and interesting,’” said Joan Laurie, Director, MLS Program. “They really enjoyed the hands-on experience.”

After lunch the eager young scientists were given a tour of the campus that included the student residence buildings. Elaine Dharmai, Head of Science, Health and Wellness Specialist High Skills Major Liaison, FMMCA, said her students enjoyed the tour because for most of them, this was their first experience on a university campus.

"My students thoroughly enjoyed the trip to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology," said Dharmai. "They appreciated the fact that the workshop was hands-on and that they were able to get a taste of the programs offered in Health and Wellness, their field of interest. They especially liked the opportunity to handle a real human lung, and they left wanting to participate in more activities of that nature."

• To book a campus tour, please contact Adam Wu at 905.721.8668 ext. 5336, or visit UOIT’s Future Students page.