11 March 2009

It was the turn of the teachers to go back to the classroom when a number of science teachers from schools across Northern Ireland took time out from their busy timetables to up-date their skills in Microbiology at Loughry Campus, College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).

The event, which was organised by the University of Ulster’s Step-Up to Science Programme, was designed to provide teachers with information and practical applications on food microbiology and food spoilage for use in the AQA GCE Double Award Applied Science A Level qualification. In addition the teachers were up-dated on the opportunities available for students interested in the wide range of science based courses at Loughry and on the excellent careers available to food graduates in the Northern Ireland Food Industry.

The novel science programme mainly involved practical workshops where the teachers received hands-on experience on how to assess the levels of spoilage in food products. The teachers and organisers, including Dr Damian O’Kane, Director of the University of Ulster’s Step-Up programme commented favourably on the high standard of the facilities and on the variety of science based courses available at Loughry Campus that would be suitable for A level pupils.

If you are looking for a career in a fast moving industry and are interested in finding out more about the wide range of courses on offer at Loughry Campus please contact us on Freephone: 080 0028 4291 or come along to Loughry’s Open Evening on Tuesday 28 April from 3 pm to 8 pm.

Science teachers Brenda Donaghy and Neill Forrest, from St Brigid’s College, Derry, get to grips with food microbiology during the practical Step-Up teacher training event at Loughry Campus

Science teachers Geraldine Montgomery and Colin McAllister, from St Patrick’s College, Belfast, during the teacher training microbiology practical at Loughry Campus

Edmund Slaine, from Loughry, discusses the selection of agar with Carol Dowler, Ashfield Boy’s High School and Mairead Leonard, from St Rose’s High School, during the teacher training event at Loughry Campus

Declan Murray, Corpus Christi College and David Flood, from St Cecilia’s College, are instructed on microbiology techniques by food lecturer Dr Shirley Malcomson during the science teacher training event at Loughry Campus