Science

Lead to Sustain

In Week 4 a team of TC students led 2 workshops on different aspects of sustainability for local primary students at the annual "Lead To Sustain" day at Currawong Bush Park. The workshops were 'Story of a River' telling the story of how pollution can accumulate and affect the health of waterways and 'Recycle Rumble', sharing tips for how we can minimise landfill waste and work towards circular economy thinking. ♻️🌏♻️

They also enjoyed the lunch time performance from 'Junk Yard Beats'! 🥁

Our students were outstanding and the Manningham Sustainability Officer had this to say, "I was very impressed with their knowledge, professionalism, and engagement with the primary school students; the event truly wouldn't have been the same without your help. I did manage to pass by both activities and the students did such a great job - I really look forward to working with you all again in the near future!"

Science Photography Competition

1. Geomagnetic Storm - Naomi Sleeman
   This photo was taken at Werribee south beach a geomagnetic storm is caused by flares and coronal ejections from the sun surface hitting the earth's atmosphere, the colours come from the suns rays

2. River Rock – Alex Fernandez
   For the biodiversity photo, I have a photo I took in January this year in the Daintree forest in northern Queensland, just after all the flooding and rain they had there. We drove for 4 hours to all of the water holes to swim, but it was to dangerous because of all of the debris and mud in the water, so we asked a local and found this beautiful water hole, with absolutely nobody there. It was so beautiful, natural water. And this photo I also took with my terrible phone camera. Is of the small pebble beach and the river. This beautiful waterhole in the middle of nowhere. And that these streams of water are amazing and needed for biodiversity, but also destroy forests and are a deadly force.

3. Trichrome - Maverik Grassby
   I took the photo using a technique called trichrome photography, where three separate images are taken through three different filters (red, green, blue), that then get coloured and layered on top of each other to create the final image! But instead of the usual filters and film, I opted to use infra-red film and a different selection of filters (infrared, red, green) to create a false colour infrared photo. Which is why all the foliage is pink! Its reflecting a lot of infrared!

 Science Wildlife

1. Stork Birds Eye - Otylia Jasinska Walisz

2. Kanga – Tya Robinson

3. Monkey – Jacob Stevenson

 General Photo

1. Sun setting – Jack Wheeler

2. St Pauls – Alex Fernandez

3. Repurpose – Manyad Gharaey

Organ Pipes National Park

On 7th November 2024, students from the Earth and Beyond program had the exciting opportunity to visit Organ Pipes National Park. During the excursion, students explored the park’s unique geological formations, including the iconic basalt columns resembling organ pipes, as well as other fascinating features like Rosette Rock and the Tessellated Pavement. These remarkable formations, shaped by volcanic activity over a million years ago, provided students with a deeper understanding of Earth’s geological processes. It was an engaging and enriching experience for everyone involved.

EcoLink Women in STEM Program: Empowering the Next Generation of Engineers

On Wednesday, October 16th, 2024, RMIT University in Melbourne hosted the annual EcoLink Women in STEM Program, a day dedicated to inspiring and empowering young women to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The event featured a dynamic mix of engaging workshops, inspiring keynote speeches, and the highly anticipated Speed Dating session with female role models in STEM.

Keynote Speaker: Trish Kerin

The day kicked off with an inspiring keynote presentation by Trish Kerin, an award-winning international expert and keynote speaker in the engineering sector. Trish shared her incredible career journey, detailing the challenges and triumphs she has encountered as a woman in engineering. Her words resonated with the audience, motivating the students to ask further questions and explore and embrace the endless opportunities that STEM fields offer.

Workshops: Exploring Engineering Fields

Throughout the day, students participated in hands-on workshops that explored various engineering disciplines. These interactive sessions provided an exciting glimpse into the world of engineering and encouraged students to think critically and creatively about problem-solving.

Chemical Engineering (VR Simulator of a Woolworths): Students immersed themselves in a virtual reality simulation, learning about the complex logistics and operations chemically run fridges in a Woolworths store. This workshop highlighted the role of chemical engineering in ensuring that processes are efficient and sustainable.

Electrical Engineering (Coding a Smart Irrigation System): In this workshop, students learned the basics of coding as they created a smart irrigation system, which uses sensors and data to conserve water. The hands-on experience introduced students to the importance of electrical engineering in addressing real-world environmental challenges.

Mechanical Engineering (Car Crash Impact Testing): Students were introduced to the principles of mechanical engineering through crash impact testing where they built a crumple zone for a wooden car the let it slam into a wall at a high speed to see if the passengers would have survived with that type of crumple zone . They gained a deeper understanding of how engineers design cars and other vehicles to ensure safety in the event of an accident.

Aerospace Engineering (Making and Testing Paper Rockets): The day also included a fun and interactive aerospace engineering workshop, where students built and tested paper rockets. This activity sparked interest in the principles of flight and aerodynamics, demonstrating the exciting possibilities in aerospace engineering.

Speed Dating Session with Female STEM Superstars

A major highlight of the program was the Speed Dating session, where students had the opportunity to engage in one-on-one conversations with a range of female Superstars of STEM. From seasoned researchers and engineers to pioneering entrepreneurs and innovators, the mentors shared personal stories of their career paths, the challenges they have faced, and the rewards of working in STEM fields. The session was designed to provide mentorship, encouragement, and invaluable advice to the next generation of STEM leaders.

The woman in stem ambassadors then took each school and gave them a personalized tour of the RMIT campus focused on what the students were interested in.

Students left the event feeling inspired and equipped with the knowledge and confidence to pursue careers in STEM.

The EcoLink Women in STEM Program was not only an educational experience but also a celebration of the amazing women who are shaping the future of engineering and technology.

As the event concluded, many students expressed their gratitude for the chance to connect with such inspiring professionals. The day was a powerful reminder that with determination, creativity, and passion, young women can achieve great things in the world of STEM.

The EcoLink Women in STEM Program continues to play a crucial role in fostering diversity and inclusion in the engineering sector, and it is clear that the future of STEM is bright, with these young women leading the way.

By Nicole Smit

Forensics Arson Inquiry

Semester 2 Forensics students conducted a mock arson inquiry. Students created their own mini-houses and set them alight in various ways to mimic causes of arson. A big thank you to Anthony Owens and Matt Harris for lending their CFA expertise and being part of the event with students.

Pre VCE Physics

Exploring Indigenous science in Pre VCE Physics including adhesive properties of spinnifex resin, the woomera or spear thrower as a speed multiplier (simulated with a dog ball thrower) and making fire from friction.