NEWS This spring, nearly 140 high school students from natural science programs at schools in Umeå, Skellefteå, Piteå, Luleå, and Finland will visit Umeå University. The students will have the opportunity to meet researchers, explore advanced laboratories and equipment, and receive information about studying here in Umeå.
Staff scientist at UCEM, Nils Hauff, shows high school student Simon Blind how he can zoom in on the details of a fly using one of the university's sophisticated electron microscopes at UCEM.
ImageRebecca ForsbergThe first visit took place today, when 15 students studying natural science and biotechnology at Balderskolan in Skellefteå came to Umeå. Among other things, they met researchers developing complex molecules that can be used in cancer treatment.
"I find everything related to the human body and medicine very interesting," says Tilda Brännström Skilling, who has long set her sights on becoming a dentist. "But I’m trying to keep my options open in case something else seems exciting," she adds.
Rocky Jonsson, who is studying natural science to build a broad foundation for the future, particularly enjoys the hands-on aspect of biotechnology.
"I like working practically and could see myself doing something in architecture," he says.
Nils Hauff shows students Tilda Brännström Skilling, Rocky Andersson, Lovisa Wikman and Leona Stål the large electronmicroscope at UCEM.
ImageRebecca ForsbergAmong the students, there are dreams of pursuing careers ranging from medicine to police, while some are keeping their future more open.
"I’m not entirely sure what I want to study yet, but visiting like this is not only fun but also important to see what opportunities exist," says Simon Blind.
The students also had the chance to visit advanced laboratories and try using high-resolution electron microscopes to study microscopic structures at Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM).
Nils Hauff, staff scientist at UCEM, shows how samples for the electron microscope look before going into the microscope. Here, we see the students Simon Blind, Felix Andersson, and Emmie Drugge.
Image Rebecca Forsberg
Emmie Drugge, who wants to study medicine, zooms in on the details of pollen grains using the microscope.
Image Rebecca Forsberg
High school students Lovisa Wikman, Rocky Jonsson, and Tilda Brännström Skilling from Balderskolan in Skellefteå. Tilda wants to become a dentist, Rocky an architect, and Lovisa is curious about most things.
Image Rebecca Forsberg
Erik Chorell, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry who researches small molecules, is the program director for the Bachelor's program in Life Science.
Image Rebecca Forsberg"These visits are always incredibly appreciated, which is why we keep coming back every year," says Fredrik Morén, chemistry teacher at Balderskolan.
As the final highlight of the day, the students received information about the Bachelor's program in Life Science and the Engineering program in technical chemistry.
"We hope to inspire these young people to study here, whether in science, technology, or another field. We need well-educated people to help us face the future," concludes Tobias Sparrman, staff scientist and head of the NMR Core facility, who has been organising the visits from Skellefteå since 2010.
Liquid nitrogen is always fun, isn’t it? Tobias Sparrman, staff scientist and head of the NMR Core facility, demonstrates small experiments with liquid nitrogen for the high school students.
ImageRebecca Forsberg