Middle school students sharpened their science skills during a recent visit to Brock University’s Validation, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute (VPMI).

The May 13 visit, part of Youth University’s overnight program, gave more than 60 students from Tomken Road Middle School in Mississauga a chance to engage in authentic lab work with help from VPMI experts.

Using cutting edge equipment and techniques, the students explored food safety and environmental science through a hands-on experiment on arsenic levels in a pantry staple.

Rice can absorb arsenic while it grows in waterlogged fields. In large amounts, the naturally occurring element may pose health risks over time. To protect consumers, especially infants and children, regulatory agencies have set limits on allowable arsenic levels in rice, typically below 100 parts per billion (ppb).

“Students were investigating how a simple step like washing rice can successfully reduce arsenic exposure,” said Dave Bowman, VPMI Lab Manager. “It’s a great example of how science can guide public health advice and help people make safer choices in their everyday lives.”

Under the supervision of Bowman and VPMI Instrument Technologist Noha Morsy, students ran experiments comparing washed and unwashed samples of various rice types — including Calrose, jasmine and basmati — and both budget and premium brands.

Dave Bowman, Manager, Research Laboratory at Brock University’s Validation, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute, guided middle school students through a hands-on science experience during their recent visit to campus on May 13.

Using advanced lab tools like inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), a machine sensitive enough to detect trace metals in parts per billion, students prepared and tested the samples with everyday lab protocols, including filtering, acid digestion and sonicating.

Their findings were both surprising and empowering: all rice types tested fell within current safety guidelines, but washing rice was shown to remove up to 30 per cent of surface arsenic. More expensive rice didn’t always contain less arsenic, highlighting that cost isn’t necessarily linked to safety. The experiment reinforced how a simple kitchen habit, such as rinsing rice before cooking, can make a meaningful difference in reducing potential health risks.

“The same cutting-edge equipment we use to support industry partners and conduct advanced research was put in the hands of students,” said Ivano Labricciosa, Business Director of the VPMI. “Letting young scientists explore that environment sparks curiosity and shows them the future they can be part of.”

Located in the heart of Niagara’s bioproducts and chemical manufacturing clusters, the VPMI supports applied research, early-stage manufacturing and innovation in sectors like health, bioscience, agriculture and environmental technology. VPMI was launched in 2023 with funding from the Government of Canada.

“It was a pleasure to welcome these curious young minds to the VPMI,” Labricciosa said. “They didn’t just learn about science. They did science. And they saw firsthand how asking questions and applying critical thinking can lead to real-world insights.”