None
Monday, 24 January 2011

More than 170 budding scientists and engineers spent three days immersed in science at The University of Western Australia as part of the annual Science Experience.

A record number of students entering Years 10 and 11 from the metropolitan area and regional towns including Broome, Esperance, Albany and Karratha, registered to attend the 21 st annual Science Experience for a three-day science fest from January 18 to 20.

Students took part in activities such as solving a crime, finding out how they can save our rivers and lakes and how chemistry is used in the kitchen.

The program aims to enable students to enjoy the wonders of science by performing exciting experiments and investigations, hearing from leaders in their fields, and learning about careers in science.

UWA Science Experience Director Dr Joanne Castelli said many high school students were not aware of the career opportunities that a science degree could offer.

"The Science Experience aims to change this by showing students the fantastic and endless opportunities that could await them, allowing them to make informed choices about their future," Dr Castelli said.

"The students were inspired by engineers who design equipment for people with disabilities; they isolated DNA from a plant; found out how maths could help them win games; took part in an amazing race; and found out what an environmental scientist really does."

Although the Science Experience is open to all students in Years 10 and 11, not all families have the resources to send their child to such an event.  Through a partnership between Aspire UWA and the Science Experience, scholarships were provided to 34 students from Aspire UWA's partner schools.  Students were nominated by their schools to receive these awards, which enabled them to attend the program with their fees waived.

Aspire UWA aims to work with schools, communities and educational organisations to raise aspirations amongst high school students in communities typically under-represented in higher education.  The next Science Experience will be held in January 2012.

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716

Tags

Channels
Events — Media Statements — Teaching and Learning — University News
Groups
Science Matters