NEWS
A science experience to remember
High school students from all over Victoria kicked off the year by taking part in RMIT’s annual event, The Conoco Phillips Science Experience.
A group of 85 Year 10 students attended the three-day science immersion program in January to get a taste of campus life.
Students took part in laboratory practicals, lectures and tours that showcased some of the more exciting and diverse elements of science at RMIT.
Comedian and all round science enthusiast, Rod Quantock, welcomed the cohort in his signature zany style offering the students plenty of scientific facts and figures.
The group then hopped on a bus to the Bundoora West campus to take part in human anatomy, haematology, nursing and medical radiations practical classes.
On day two, students were introduced to the world of university lectures as Dr Oliver Jones, from the School of Applied Sciences, presented a fascinating overview of the history of drugs in sport.
Students followed up with practical classes at the City campus – getting hands on with forensic chemistry and maths and geospatial science.
A food technology lesson, where students were able to create and taste-test their own ice cream, was followed by a physics session where they built their own computer program to test and plot temperature in a quest to discover who had the warmest hands.
In between practical classes, students received a guided tour of the Australian Synchrotron from researchers based at the facility and visited the surface of Mars at the Victorian Space and Science Centre.
The Science Experience also recruits current RMIT students, with 16 enthusiastic volunteers offering to mentor the high school students throughout the three day event.
David Amy, Bachelor of Science (Applied Chemistry)/Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) (Honours) student, was involved in the event for the second year running.
“It’s always a great chance to meet the next generation of thinkers and innovators and to encourage them in their aspirations to become scientists and engineers,” he said.
The program aims to provide science-loving students with an opportunity to engage in a wide range of fascinating activities with plenty of chances to get information about further studies and careers in science, technology and engineering.