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Students burst with love of science
by Melanie Petrinec 30 November 2013
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ittsworth Year eight student Rachael Gundy has only ever seen a university on television, but this week she experienced campus life as part of an Arrow Energy- sponsored Indigenous science program. The Queensland division of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) Wonder of Science challenge
Arrow Energy’s Senior Indigenous Relations Officer, Shannon Bowe with UQ staff and students. Image supplied
has involved year eight students working in teams for eight weeks to run a Rube Goldberg experiment. The aim of the experiment, similar to the board game Mouse Trap, is to design an overengineered piece of equipment to do a simple task — in this case, pop a balloon. Arrow partners the University of Queensland (UQ) to allow the participation of 50 Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander students from schools across the Darling. Many of the Indigenous student participants visited the UQ’s Ipswich, Gatton and St Lucia campuses across three days. They presented their designs at UQ and attended an awards lunch during their final day at the St Lucia campus. Four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Pittsworth Page 1
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State High School – Rachael Gundy, Courtney Frost, Jayden Grimshaw and Delanie Holmes – showcased their balloon-popping invention. The Pittsworth team’s design sits the balloon on a laboratory beaker. After a complex sequence of events involving a toy car, dominos and a water cooler, liquid is poured into the beaker, which floats a piece of Styrofoam. The Styrofoam has a needle sitting in it and as the water rises, so does the needle until it eventually pops the balloon. The Pittsworth students enjoyed seeing inventions from other teams and experiencing university life. “We have only seen university on TV,” Rachael said. “It’s great to gain an insight into what it is like to be a university student.” Fellow Pittsworth student Courtney Frost said meeting other students would be beneficial. “Getting to know other Aboriginal kids around the community will be great,” Courtney said. All four students said they had very little interest in science until beginning the project with the help of Pittsworth science teacher Kay Solar, teacher aide Cheryl Bates and school chaplain Amy Paton. Arrow CEO Andrew Faulkner said the university residential camp gave students an insight into university life while exposing them to science and experiencing cultural and learning activities. “Arrow Energy staff met the students on campus to participate in a range of science- based team challenges,” Mr Faulkner said. “Arrow is proud to support
Arrow staff member Nick Gifford (Environmental Engineer) conducting a science experiment with the students. Image supplied
Indigenous learning initiatives under our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), as education is the cornerstone in building economic prosperity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. “As an engineer, science is a subject close to my heart and I encourage students to embrace it. The Wonder of Science program combines learning and enjoyment in a team environment to help deliver positive educational outcomes.” The students also visited the Dandiiri Maiwar Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural
Centre at the Queensland Museum. Outreach and Engagement Manager for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit at UQ, Shane Drahm, said the program was aimed at students in Year 8 because curiosity at that age was strong. “It is a great opportunity to get these students on campus and create a love for science but more importantly, create an interest in university,” Shane Drahm said. “With the help of Arrow Energy, this program fosters a love of science from a young age and this will help improve students’ learning outcomes.”
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