In higher education, exposure to applied and ongoing research is limited. In the Immunology and Biomedicine curricular unit of School of Tourism and Marine Technology (ESTM) biotechnology degree an experience of regular contact with researchers was carried out. The participants formed small groups and focused on specific research contexts. The chosen theme was immunotherapy applied to the treatment of infections and cancer, both fields undergoing rapid development and are relevant methodologies for the future. In the first phase, students carried out research to gather information and raise questions. In a further step, students made contact by videoconference and email with researchers (who had been contacted in advance) at regular intervals. Collaboration was established with two biotechnology companies, each providing two to three researchers for regular contact acting as tutors. The strategies, development, and organisation of the contacts are described. The sessions were structured to evolve in a progressive ‘staircase’ approach, providing an appropriate path from the most basic to the most complex, stimulating a balance between the response/information provided by the researchers, the mobilisation of the knowledge and the critical analysis by the students. At the end, sessions were held with both research teams to summarise the whole process. The companies even drew up a final challenge to consolidate the main conclusions and encourage the students to continue following the progress of the research. The active interaction with scientists was very well received by the students, who developed their skills as a result of regular and close contact with researchers.

Authors:
Susana Cardoso, Polytechnic of Leiria; Polytechnic of Coimbra, Portugal

About the Presenter(s)
Susana Cardoso, PhD, is currently invited Adjunt Professor at ESTM (Peniche - Portugal)and ESTESC (Coimbra- Portugal)

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

Bookmark