GRIPP supports training of individuals from all academic backgrounds in areas related to plant propagation and conservation.
There is growing need for increased efficiency and production capabilities within the Canadian Agriculture sector particularly through the development of in vitro technologies. Over the next 10 years one of the greatest challenges for the Canadian biotechnology sector will be the shortage of highly qualified individuals in food production, quality control/assurance, and research and development.
GRIPP’s novel approach of merging conservation strategies with commercialization provides a unique environment for training of highly qualified personnel in fundamental and applied sciences. This is facilitated through training of students, industry personnel, and interaction with volunteer community.
Outreach
Workshops and Lectures
GRIPP welcomes researchers, educators, and nature enthusiasts to learn about our conservation strategies through hands-on training and interactive class room experiences.
Topics covered by our team include:
- Introduction to plant micropropagation and cryopreservation
- Training in plant tissue culture technology
- Training in cryobiology
- Curation and maintenance of living germplasm collections and cryo-banks
High School Science Projects
GRIPP welcomes high school students to undertake science projects in plant biology. Devanshi Shukla a high school student from Guelph, Ontario, conducted her high school science project at GRIPP in the summer of 2015. She gained first-hand experience in a research environment as well as the publishing process.
Devanshi’s science project “A Biosensor for the Detection of Microbial Contamination” led her to win several prestigious awards and competitions including:
- The Ernest C. Manning Award for Canadian innovation at the 55th Canada Wide Science Festival held May 2016 in Montreal.
- The Challenge Award (innovation intermediate), The Excellence Award (Intermediate), and Western University Scholarship Gold Medalist Entrance Scholarship at the Canada Wide Science Fair in Windsor, ON
- Gold medal gold at the Waterloo-Wellington Science and Engineering Fair held this April 2016 in Kitchener, Ont.
Elementary School Visits
The value of the natural world in education should not be underestimated. Hands-on experience is invaluable to children in the way they perceive and understand the world around them. These experiences can lead to invaluable life lessons.
To raise awareness towards the importance of plant tissue culture and micropropagation, GRIPP invites the clever minds of local elementary school students. The students are taken to GRIPPs laboratory at the University of Guelph and given the opportunity to learn about micropropagation. Students were given a tour of the facilities and a chance to speak with GRIPP researchers about their projects. Afterwards, they are put to work, making their very own test tube plants to take home!
