Showing students the wonders of science
Students undertaking an experiment as part of the National Youth Science Forum 2011
Some of tomorrow's leading scientists will see what bionic vision might look like, experiment with nanoparticles and inspect one of Australia's most innovative race cars at Monash University this week.
More than 100 high-performing Year 12 students will visit Clayton campus this Thursday as part of the National Youth Science Forum. The Forum aims to expose students who are considering a career in science, engineering or technology to researchers and their work.
At Monash, the students will hear from an award-winning mathematician and leading climate scientist before touring various facilities and laboratories on campus.
Professor Kate Smith-Miles, head of the School of Mathematical Sciences, and winner of the Australian Mathematical Society medal, will kick off the visit with a talk about the importance of mathematics to every aspect of science.
"I think the students will be surprised by the interdisciplinary projects that mathematicians are involved in. Many of the research teams they'll be seeing later in the visit, such as the bionic eye team, have a mathematician onboard," Dr Smith-Miles said.
The students will also hear from climate scientist Associate Professor Steven Siems, who has previously worked with environmental campaigner and former US Vice-President, Al Gore.
Following the talks, the students' visit will get more hands on. As well as viewing the world-beating racing car built by Monash Motorsport, the students will have the opportunity to see how the University's bionic eye project is progressing.
In the biology laboratory, the students will run an experiment demonstrating how materials used in detergents can be useful in finding better ways to deliver drugs to where they're needed in the body.
Students who visit the optical communications laboratory, will get an insight into the technology that underlies digital television and 4G mobile networks.
Dr Smith-Miles said it was important to show students the different directions a career in science could take.
"Even though the students will only have time to see a small part of the research going on at Monash, I think they'll find the visit inspiring."