I have just returned home from assisting with the judging of a remarkable science fair, in which Year 10 science students presented their research projects. The students attend a selective high school in the inner city area of Sydney.
The projects were judged by a large number of people with a technical background. My colleagues were an education officer with a park authority and a computer analyst whose specialty was earth sciences. We interviewed eight students and there were three other projects whose authors were not present.
The projects my team looked at were in a category called environment, but they spanned a range of technology wider than the name implies. Two other teams looked at the same projects - one before us and one after.
One student managed to research a composting system suitable for use in a unit and seems to have experimentally stumbled on the principle of an optimum carbon nitrogen ratio. There were projects on use of clockwork and some other innovative systems for energy to operate appliances in third world environments, a trial using worm castings as a growing medium, alternative fuels and water purification. There was even a project on assessing the case of whaling and for conservation (and what an even-handed and innovative examination it was!) and a whole lot more.
These kids are 15-16years old. The standard was very high - I think I have met and talked to some remarkable and enthusiastic scientists and engineers of a decade from now.
If other list people get a chance, get involved in some high school science in this way.... what a rewarding experience! I think future Australian science might be in safer hands than I thought when I arrived at the school.
Thank you for the invitation, Liz.
Toby
PS. Those searching this email for
exclamation marks may draw the conclusion that it is unscientific. Objective
testing of this form is obviously flawed....
