By Allie Allsup
We are back in action this week with a second session of our summer veterinary camp program, as our Overnight Camp welcomed 26 young campers as they embark on new experiences of learning and understanding that will hopefully inspire them to pursue a future career in veterinary medicine.
We are back in action this week with a second session of our summer veterinary camp program, as our Overnight Camp welcomed 26 young campers as they embark on new experiences of learning and understanding that will hopefully inspire them to pursue a future career in veterinary medicine.
Similar to the previous week’s day camp session, this group
of campers will get to take part in some educational hands-on activities,
happening Wednesday, June 6 through Sunday, June 10. The Overnight Camp session
is a little different, though, because there are longer hours to each day. This
allows the campers really get their fill of all that veterinary medicine has to
offer. Today, we are going to take a deeper look into what is happening in some
of the labs.
Before heading to Micro lab, the campers got the opportunity
to hear Dr. James Brett, Associate Clinical Professor, speak about all the
different career paths within Veterinary Medicine. This was a good opportunity
for the campers to grasp the idea of what areas might interest them as well as
giving them an understanding of what job opportunities await them within the
field. This lesson highlighted what a particular career in this field would
look like and all the many different areas one can pursue. He also discussed
the admissions process to veterinary school, which was sure to be helpful to
inquiring young minds setting their sights on the future. It is the perfect way
to get the campers ready for the next experience to come after lunch, Micro
Lab.
After taking a quick lunch break, the campers got to
experience Micro Lab with Dr. Frank Austin in the MDL. This lab, also known as
the “dog mouth swab lab,” consisted of swabbing the cheeks of dogs in order to
get a culture to search for different types of bacteria. Each camper was able
to grab a cotton swab and proceed to swab a dog’s cheek and then streak it on
three otter plates. Afterward, all there is to do is wait until tomorrow so the
bacteria have enough time to incubate. Tomorrow, the campers will be busy
looking into their microscopes in search of bacteria.
As to what the kids can get out of this lab, Dr. Austin says it’s the introduction to the whole that really matters here. “This lab is what first introduces the kids to Micro,” said Dr. Austin. “It’s their first opportunity to analyze different diseases.”
Dr. Austin also says that the importance of being a
microbiologist is to understand the first step of the process, which is to
establish a pure culture. Afterward, you put all three plates in an incubator
and wait until tomorrow to see what grows over night.
Dr. Austin, who’s been at MSU-CVM for more than thirty
years, said it’s his goal to make this lab educational and fun. “I want it to be a good, fun experience for
y’all,” said Dr. Austin.
Earlier in the day, campers experienced Pathology Lab and
Critical Care Lab. Later in the afternoon, the campers will get to observe and
participate in a Canine Physical Exam, a Bovine lab and a Suture Lab, to name a
few. After a full day’s worth of fun and learning, campers are sure to be
tired. But they’re also likely awaiting tomorrow’s activities with eager
anticipation. “Pathology lab was so
cool,” said one camper. “I’m super excited to see how our bacteria turns out
tomorrow.”
For more photos and daily posts follow https://www.facebook.com/MSUVetCamp/
