That project I did in middle school was my first acquaintance with

[alpacinou]

I intend to say that project in middle school was the first time I was exposed to a branch of science and experienced it. Can I use "acquaintance with"?

That project I did in middle school was my first acquaintance with hematology even though at the time I did not know the exact name of the science.

There must be a better way to express it. Would you offer your suggestions?

 

[GoesStation]

Try exposure to. You might want to end with I didn't know what it was called.