Scotch College

Siemens Science over the summer

David Thomson and Steven Cracknell

As part of the Siemens Science Experience summer course for interested students going into Year 10, Steven Cracknell and I travelled to our chosen university, Monash University, for three days from 12 to 14 January. The aim of the course is to give students a better idea of scientific activities in a university, further our knowledge and give us a chance to meet new people.

The course was organised by YSA (Young Scientists Australia) – an organisation of science enthusiasts aged from 15 to 25. It included lectures, practical exercises, demonstrations, excursions and other activities.

The subject of one fascinating lecture was the mathematics behind juggling. I had never thought juggling was as complex as I now do. Another lecture was about astronomy – explaining the features of the night sky.

We (some 116 students from all over Victoria) were split into groups and over two days we completed six practical exercises including: making DNA visible and examining chromosome cell division; producing sparklers (which is easier than it seems); and investigating earthquakes, tsunamis and applying our new knowledge to the recent disaster in Indonesia.

On the final day we relaxed and watched other people working: two representatives from Questacon put on a show about the latest news in the scientific world (such as producing bananas from which juice can be extracted) and our YSA leaders also put on a demonstration of different chemical reactions.

We chose one of five destinations for an excursion. Choices included a tour of the departments of biomedical/electrical and computer engineering, to play with smart robots and investigate how muscles work, and a tour of CSIRO, to see some of Australia’s best scientists at work.

On the same night, the students and staff enjoyed a fantastic night of sports, dinner, music and disco all rolled into one! During the night we also tested our sparklers – all of them worked like a charm.

The three days proved successful in showing us the excitement of science and many of us joined the YSA to enjoy socialising and, of course, more science.

Thank you to Dr Jackowski (Head of Science) and Mr Wemyss (Head of Year 9 in 2004) for encouraging our participation.

VTAC First Round Offers to the Class
of 2004

The University of Melbourne	93
Monash University (Clayton)	37
Monash (Caulfield/Parkville/Berwick)	18
RMIT	29
Deakin (Metro)	18
Deakin (Geelong/Warrnambool)	2
LaTrobe (Bundoora)	4
LaTrobe (Other)	1
Swinburne (Hawthorn)	8
Swinburne (Other)	1
TAFE	11
VUT	2
Other	10
Total	234

DAVID THOMSON

Geography in the great outdoors

Already this year, nine Geography classes have received some essential ‘hands on’ fieldwork experience to complement classroom studies. Year 11 boys began their morning with a breakfast at a NewQuay cafe before studying the high-rise developments in Docklands and the CBD and concluding at the Rialto Observation Deck for an essential overview. Some Year 9 boys travelled to Lorne to produce a ‘landuse’ map of Mountjoy Pde and investigate some of the problems facing this popular beachside resort town. Other classes went to the Organ Pipes N.P. to see first hand a local volcanic landscape and investigate National Park management strategies. A large group of Year 8 boys didn’t go to Africa, but at times it seemed like it. A great morning was had at the Victorian Open Range Zoo (Werribee) ‘eye balling’ endangered animals and doing workshop activities. Finally, another group spent the day at Cape Schanck learning about coastal dynamics.