What happens when you combine real-world science with Year 9 curiosity? For Professor Natkunam Ketheesan from the School of Science and Technology, the answer is an 18-year partnership that's still going strong.
Through CSIRO's STEM Professionals in Schools program, Professor Ketheesan has been working with Townsville Grammar School for almost two decades to bring health science into the classroom.
This year's Body@War program tackled timely topics, including how vaccines work, the concept of herd immunity, and the real-world impact of vaccine hesitancy fuelled by social media misinformation.
After exploring the foundational concepts, students worked collaboratively in groups of three, researching and writing about a vaccine-preventable infectious disease of their choice.
Image: Students showing their teacher their poster
“The students across all groups demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm and creativity, producing high-quality posters and information sheets,” says Professor Ketheesan.
“Students praised the collaborative nature of the assignment, noting they enjoyed being able to bounce ideas off each other and appreciated guidance on finding information from ‘legit’ sources.”
Ms Amanda Young, a Biology teacher at Townsville Grammar School who has been involved with the program since it began, says it’s a great opportunity for students to learn directly from a scientist who is actively working on projects dealing with infection and immunity.
“Through this experience, they’ve deepened their understanding of the roles that both helpful and harmful bacteria play in the body, how our defence mechanisms work, and why vaccination is essential for maintaining good health.”
A team of S&T academics, including Dr Vandana Gulati and Dr Sinead Henderson, reviewed the submissions, selecting the best poster from each class, along with an overall Year 9 winner. Student posters are now proudly displayed in their respective classrooms, while the winning entries will be showcased in the McClymont Building during International Immunisation Week in April 2026.
Image: The winning group of students
You can view the winning poster here
Are you interested in making a similar impact? The STEM Professionals in Schools programme offers opportunities for UNE staff to partner with local schools and inspire future scientists. Contact Josie O’Shea at STEMProfessionalsinSchools@CSIRO.au to get involved, and visit the STEM Professionals in Schools website for more information.
