Budding scientists get an experience to remember

January 15, 2008

High-school students from throughout NSW are extending their knowledge of science and their experience of scientific research in a three-day program at the University of New England this week.

The students, who are entering Year 10 this year, are from the New England, North-west and North Coast regions, and from as far away as Albury, Cowra, and Sydney.

They are taking part in the annual Siemens Science Experience – a national program conducted at 36 Australian universities in association with local Rotary Clubs and with the support of Young Scientists of Australia and the Australian Science Teachers' Association. This year's Experience at UNE runs from Tuesday 15 to Thursday 17 January.

Practical sessions include investigations in physics, chemistry, biology, robotics and physiology. The students are also attending lectures – with titles such as "The life of birds", "The code of life", and "A chemist's view of energy" – by some of UNE's most distinguished scientists.

In UNE's science laboratories they are encountering techniques and equipment not often available in schools. Andrew Grigg, a student from The Armidale School, confirmed that this exposure to equipment used by professional scientists – and to the scientists themselves – was an important part of the Experience.

"It's been great," said Inverell High student Nicole Charalambous towards the end of the first day. She and Andrew had been taking part in a practical chemistry session that saw them making both asprin and "oil of wintergreen" from salicylic acid. UNE's Dr Chris Fellows, who guided the students through the session, said it had given them "time to experiment" with the chemical reactions involved.

The director of the Siemens Science Experience at UNE, Associate Professor Jim McFarlane, said that one aim of the Experience was to encourage keen students to continue with science by demonstrating its relevance to a wide range of pursuits and professions.

THE PHOTOGRAPH displayed here was taken today in a practical session on "the physics of music".

Posted by Jim Scanlan at January 15, 2008 06:03 PM