Young talents at the MUG again

24.11.2022

The first meeting of this year’s Science is People program is behind us. High school students explored the secrets of anatomy and surgery under the guidance of our lecturers, and learned the stories behind the exhibits at the MUG Museum.

The participants began their adventure with the Medical University of Gdańsk in the anatomy labs of the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology. Dr Habil. Sławomir Wójcik prepared activities for them that included working with classical slides, as well as modern tools such as an interactive anatomy table. Students learned how slides are prepared, which then serve many generations of students, and then, using them, discussed the structure of selected human organs and their functions in detail.

Students started their next day with a visit to the MUG Museum and a meeting with Marek Bukowski, Ph.D. who, using selected exhibits as an example, told about the dynamic development of medicine that has been observed since the end of the 19th century. The students had the opportunity to see what the stethoscopes, microscopes and medical textbooks of the time looked like. They also learned under what circumstances the principles of antisepsis were introduced into hospitals, and to whom we owe surgical gloves.

Next, Piotr Spychalski, Ph.D. of the Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery introduced future university students to the realities of his daily work. On the one hand, it was an opportunity to dispel many myths associated with the medical profession, and on the other hand, to learn about interesting clinical cases in surgery and new tools that are used in this field of medicine. Spychalski, Ph.D. also introduced the participants to his research interests and told them about his scientific area of activity. In addition, the classes on surgery were largely practical. After learning basic surgical techniques and instruments under the watchful eye of Piotr Spychalski, Ph.D. and Artur Furga, M.D., participants practiced placing the first surgical sutures. They were also able to try their hand at ultrasound and practice on a laparoscopic trainer.

For the 2022/2023 academic year, the program is being implemented by the IDUB Program Office. It is attended by 32 male and female high school students from across the country. During monthly weekend meetings with MUG scientists, they will learn about more areas of medicine, pharmacy and biotechnology.

Photo: Agnieszka Anielska/MUG