--- title: "Day 2: From Riverbanks to DNA Labs: Students Dive into Real-World Science" description: Biology students at Redmaids' High School take on an exciting eDNA project with UWE. image: https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hubfs/20260917_094730809_iOS.jpg --- [![Black left aligned RHS GDST logo](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/Black%20left%20aligned%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png?width=215&height=100&name=Black%20left%20aligned%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png "Black left aligned RHS GDST logo")](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [Back to Main Site](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [![Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Redmaids_High_School_April2021/images/mobile-logo.png?width=270&height=472&name=mobile-logo.png "Redmaids' High School")](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [Back to Main Site](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [\< Back to Blog](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) # Day 2: From Riverbanks to DNA Labs: Students Dive into Real-World Science ![20260917\_094730809\_iOS](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/20260917_094730809_iOS.jpg?width=427&height=321&name=20260917_094730809_iOS.jpg)Redmaids' High School recently received a prestigious partnership grant from the Royal Society, working with the University of the West of England, to launch a project using eDNA technology to identify species living in Bristol’s rivers. Led by our Biology teacher, Mrs Turner, the project will give a group of students the opportunity to take part in laboratory and fieldwork over the coming months. Together, they will study the biodiversity of the River Trym and investigate ways to help protect and improve local wildlife populations. This partnership is a wonderful example of how education and scientific research can come together to inspire young people and deepen their understanding of the natural world; it is fantastic that our students will be contributing to real-world conservation work while developing their scientific skills and experience. ![20260917\_094922684\_iOS](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/20260917_094922684_iOS.jpg?width=241&height=321&name=20260917_094922684_iOS.jpg)The second day of the project took place last month. Here is a report from Mrs Turner... Today we were lucky enough to host a team of scientists from UWE as we embarked on the second phase of our project with them. 20 of our students from Years 11, 12 and 13 were joined by Mark (Associate Professor), Robyn (PhD student), and Tommy and Kaela (Masters students) for a morning of DNA analysis. Back in the summer term our students designed an investigation to look at migration of fish species within the river Trym and Hazel Brook, and collected water samples from the river. Today the students were taught how to extract the eDNA (environmental DNA) from their samples so that they could perform qPCR to look for the presence of critically endangered eels, trout and the three spined stickleback. The students were taught how to use Gibson micropipettes to precisely pipette the tiny volumes required. They mixed samples using a vortex and used a centrifuge to separate the DNA from the samples. This process allowed them to successfully isolate the eDNA from their samples. It was wonderful to see the students getting to grips with equipment and techniques which they would never normally experience in the school laboratory setting, they were really impressive with the care and precision which they demonstrated. They worked together with students from other year groups, showing collaboration and fostering the feeling of team work across their year groups. In a few weeks, Mark will be returning to our school with the raw data for our students to analyse, and they will then have the opportunity to present their findings back to the teams from UWE and BART (Bristol and Avon rivers Trust), to inform the future planning of conservation work on the River Trym. Overall an amazing experience for our students today, to go from ecology fieldwork to eDNA extraction in the lab, what a journey.  Mrs Turner, Biology Teacher To read more about the first day of the project please [click here](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/from-riverbanks-to-dna-labs-students-dive-into-real-world-science). Date Posted: 13 October, 2026 [Share](http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/day-2-from-riverbanks-to-dna-labs-students-dive-into-real-world-science) ## Articles for: Sixth Form, Senior, STEM, Extra-Curricular ![Art competition winner | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/image1-450_th-Jul-08-2021-03-22-14-74-PM.jpg?width=770&name=image1-450_th-Jul-08-2021-03-22-14-74-PM.jpg) **Art competition winner | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 6 March, 2018 READ MORE ![Making music during lock-down | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Musicians%20-450_th.jpeg?width=770&name=Musicians%20-450_th.jpeg) **Making music during lock-down | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 7 May, 2020 READ MORE ![Dinosaur WOW Day at the Junior School | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/thumbnail_image1-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=thumbnail_image1-450_th.jpg) **Dinosaur WOW Day at the Junior School | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 13 November, 2019 READ MORE ![From Riverbanks to DNA Labs: Students Dive into Real-World Science](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/20260604_114237995_iOS.jpg?width=770&name=20260604_114237995_iOS.jpg) **From Riverbanks to DNA Labs: Students Dive into Real-World Science** Date Posted: 17 June, 2026 Redmaids' High School recently received a prestigious partnership grant from the Royal Society, working with the... READ MORE ![Excellent results for our IB Diploma students](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Redmaids%20High%20School%20IB%20Results%202023.jpeg?width=770&name=Redmaids%20High%20School%20IB%20Results%202023.jpeg) **Excellent results for our IB Diploma students** Date Posted: 6 July, 2023 Yesterday, our Year 13 students gained their highly anticipated International Baccalaureate Diplomas and we are... READ MORE ![Award-winning Geography Department | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Geography%20centre%20of%20excellence%20-450_th.png?width=770&name=Geography%20centre%20of%20excellence%20-450_th.png) **Award-winning Geography Department | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 14 November, 2019 READ MORE ![IB Diploma students head off to shape the world | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IB%20results%202019_for%20web-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=IB%20results%202019_for%20web-450_th.jpg) **IB Diploma students head off to shape the world | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 11 July, 2019 READ MORE ![A day at the museum | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Y4%20Egypt%201-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=Y4%20Egypt%201-450_th.jpg) **A day at the museum | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 28 January, 2020 READ MORE ![World-class drama at Redmaids' High | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/image1-450_th-Jul-08-2021-03-20-32-91-PM.jpg?width=770&name=image1-450_th-Jul-08-2021-03-20-32-91-PM.jpg) **World-class drama at Redmaids' High | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 9 October, 2018 READ MORE ![The Junior School appoint a new Deputy Head. | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/thumbnail_Christopher%20Haynes%20portrait%201-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=thumbnail_Christopher%20Haynes%20portrait%201-450_th.jpg) **The Junior School appoint a new Deputy Head. | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 26 April, 2021 READ MORE ![Founders’ Commemoration Day 2019 | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSCN1232%20edited%20-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=DSCN1232%20edited%20-450_th.jpg) **Founders’ Commemoration Day 2019 | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 18 November, 2019 READ MORE ![Student art and design on public display | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/2019%20art%20exhibition%20021%20web%202-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=2019%20art%20exhibition%20021%20web%202-450_th.jpg) **Student art and design on public display | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 10 June, 2019 READ MORE ![2020 House Music Competition | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_2611-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=IMG_2611-450_th.jpg) **2020 House Music Competition | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 9 March, 2020 READ MORE ![Aoife’s National Touch Rugby Success](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_6404.jpeg?width=770&name=IMG_6404.jpeg) **Aoife’s National Touch Rugby Success** Date Posted: 16 May, 2025 We are incredibly proud to share some exciting news from the world of Touch Rugby - Aoife in Year 10 has been selected... READ MORE ![Diverse destinations for outstanding Redmaids' High A Level students](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Results%20day%20-%20Daisy%2c%20Jenny%20and%20Tamsyn.png?width=770&name=Results%20day%20-%20Daisy,%20Jenny%20and%20Tamsyn.png) **Diverse destinations for outstanding Redmaids' High A Level students** Date Posted: 18 August, 2022 Feelings of joy, relief, and excitement filled the Sixth Form centre at Redmaids’ High this morning as A Level students... READ MORE ![Sustainability: Insights from a Big Documentary Cinematographer](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/2-Dec-10-2025-04-15-39-2501-PM.png?width=770&name=2-Dec-10-2025-04-15-39-2501-PM.png) **Sustainability: Insights from a Big Documentary Cinematographer** Date Posted: 11 December, 2025 This term has been an inspiring one for our Eco Reps and Environmental Captains, who have been busy driving... READ MORE ![ARSM Diploma success for Redmaids' High students | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ARSM%20students%20-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=ARSM%20students%20-450_th.jpg) **ARSM Diploma success for Redmaids' High students | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 4 May, 2021 READ MORE ![Modern foreign language debating triumph | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/MFL%20comp%20winners%20edited%20-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=MFL%20comp%20winners%20edited%20-450_th.jpg) **Modern foreign language debating triumph | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 6 February, 2020 READ MORE ![Darren Jones MP pays a visit | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_2065-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=IMG_2065-450_th.jpg) **Darren Jones MP pays a visit | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 11 October, 2019 READ MORE ![Students' Hockey Success | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/thumbnail_20210615_102859-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=thumbnail_20210615_102859-450_th.jpg) **Students' Hockey Success | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 18 June, 2021 READ MORE [Click here to view all news articles](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk) - [MAKE AN ENQUIRY](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/contact-us) - [NEWS](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) - [MY REDMAIDS' HIGH](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/my-redmaids/) [![Black centered RHS GDST logo](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/Black%20centered%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png?width=179&height=200&name=Black%20centered%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png "Black centered RHS GDST logo")](http://redmaidshigh.co.uk) #### Registered Office The Asticus Building, 21 Palmer Street, London, England, SW1H 0AD Company number: 6400 Registered charity number: 306983    #### Junior School Grange Court Road Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS9 4DP [0117 962 9451](tel:0117%20962%209451) [juniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net](mailto:juniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net) #### Senior School AND SIXTH FORM Westbury Road Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS9 3AW [0117 962 2641](tel:0117%20962%202641) [seniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net](mailto:seniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net) - © 2025 Redmaids' High School, GDST - All rights reserved - [School Policies](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/about-the-school/school-policies/) - [Cookie & Privacy Policies](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/about-the-school/school-policies/data-protection-and-privacy-policies/) - [Contact Us](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/contact-us/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Redmaids' High School", "url" : "https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/author/redmaids-high-school" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-13T09:20:54.730Z", "datePublished" : "2026-10-13T09:20:44.000Z", "headline" : "Day 2: From Riverbanks to DNA Labs: Students Dive into Real-World Science", "image" : [ "https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hubfs/20260917_094730809_iOS.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/day-2-from-riverbanks-to-dna-labs-students-dive-into-real-world-science", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hubfs/RHS_logo_left%20aligned_black_RGB.png" }, "name" : "Redmaids' High School" } } ```