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Tuesday, 2 April 2013

UWA Centenary celebrations got off to an early start with a science theme when UWA hosted more than 300 high school students in January across two events: the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) and annual Science Experience.

National Youth Science Forum

In January, 144 top-performing students from across Australia experienced the hospitality of several of the university colleges for two science-filled weeks.

Attendees were joined by NYSF staff and members of Rotary International (another major sponsor of the event) and enjoyed a wide array of activities and events, including:

  • workshops provided by expert staff and students from the sciences, engineering and mathematics;
  • a bush dance performance;
  • a presentation by Professor Peter Quinn about the SKA;
  • a ‘Science Café' that explored the importance of communicating science;
  • mock job interviews; and
  • personal development and leadership activities.

NYSF Partners Day was also held at UWA with an Expo and presentations from university and industry partner representatives of NYSF from across Australia. The day culminated in a Science Dinner attended by students, workshop providers, university and industry representatives and the Chief Scientist of WA, Professor Lyn Beazley. A highlight was the address to the students by Dr Tom Hatton from CSIRO.

If you are in Year 11 and considering a career in science or engineering, find out how to apply for the 2014 National Youth Science Forum.

Find out more about the NYSF .

Science Experience

The annual Science Experience promised three days of science fun, activities and information for 166 students from across the state...and it delivered! The students - all about to enter Year 10 or 11 - experienced life as a university student by taking part in workshops and listening to talks from enthusiastic experts in a wide range of science and engineering disciplines.

Some of the exciting activities students participated in included: an ‘Amazing Race' in the Science Library; discovering how fun physics can be; exploring chemical reactions filled with colour, light and explosions; extracting DNA from strawberries; and podcasting.

The feedback has been extremely positive, with students commenting:

"I learned and had more fun than I've had in science class all year!"

"It opened my mind to new careers in science."

"I had a great time, met new people, learned a lot, and was amazed at what was possible for me and the rest of the world."

The Science Experience is an annual event - if you are currently in Year 9 or 10 and love science, you may wish to consider attending next year's Experience. Program and applications dates will be released online shortly.

Find out more or check out photos from previous Science Experiences.

For further information contact:

Dr Joanne Castelli

Senior Adviser, Student Experience

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