16 , 17 and 18 October, 2018 Charles Darwin University ... · 16th, 17th and 18th October, 2018 Charles Darwin University, Casuarina Campus Darwin, NT Australia A national innovative

16th, 17th and 18th October, 2018

Charles Darwin University, Casuarina Campus Darwin, NT Australia

A national innovative and interactive program that supports the awareness and enhances the career education

of Year 9 secondary school students, in the areas of Science, Technology & Engineering through a variety of

seminars, interactive presentations, excursions, laboratory investigations and hands-on activities.

Our Valued Student Sponsors

Darwin Sunrise Litchfield/Palmerston

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

(Alice Springs) St Joseph’s Catholic College Sanderson Middle School

Xavier College (Tiwi Island), Nightcliff Middle School, Darwin Middle School

O’Loughlin Catholic College

Good Shepherd Lutheran College and Palmerston Christian School

Xavier College (Tiwi Island), Nightcliff Middle School, Darwin Middle School

Haileybury Rendall School, Darwin Middle School and Palmerston College

Sattler Christian College

Department of Environment Department of Education Department of the Chief Minister’s Office

The Honourable Michael Gunner

Darwin Middle School

NT Program Overview

In 2007, Charles Darwin University (CDU) became the 35th University in Australia to host The National Science Experience.

Our program is supported by the Faculty of Engineering, Health, Science and the Environment and predominately open to

any year 9 student interested in exploring Science, Technology and Engineering, regardless of their academia. Our success

relies on CDU securing sponsorship from local Government, Business’, Industries, Institutes and Community Organisations

to pay the student fee. This ensures all NT students have an opportunity to participate, not just the ones who can afford

to. CDU is focused on supporting and encouraging participation from Indigenous, remote and students from a low

socioeconomic status (SES) background, regardless of their year level. We seek to attract additional sponsorship funding

to support their travel and accommodation. CDU acknowledges and appreciates that without the support of

ConocoPhillips Australia, The National Science Experience, Science Schools Foundation, NT Government, Business,

Industry, Institutes and Community Organisations, we would not be able to continue offering these exceptional

educational learning experiences to students.

Program Objectives

The program aims to empower and inspire students to want to become high achievers, and to know that they have high

quality study options here at CDU. The territory has such a wide range of excellent future employment opportunities

available! Our students need to be aware of the link between education and future opportunities at the time in their life

where a positive change and approach to education can really make a difference. Our aim is to prepare them by providing

a solid educational foundation, allowing them to make informed decisions about their subject selections in their senior

years.

We do this by providing;

• A broad range of both interesting and practical learning experiences related to the profession (all

conducted in a safe and comfortable environment)

• An introduction to the many local industries and businesses and the type of employment opportunities

available A look into local challenges and issues facing the NT now, and looking into the future

• An overview of the type of research and activities CDU students are currently involved in

• A clear understanding of the importance of education in relation to their future studies and career

options, as well as the difference between obtaining an NTCET Year 12 and an NTCET with ATAR

(Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank)

• A good understanding of VET and Higher Education study, pathways and careers

Where are they now?

From 2007, we have been checking past participant names against our CDU enrolment data as they become school

leavers. It’s fantastic to see some familiar names as they graduate high school and enrol with CDU.

As our national sponsor, ConocoPhillips Australia is committed to providing additional support to the NT program. In

2018, ConocoPhillips Australia again supported the travel, accommodation and meals for our remote student. This year

we were lucky enough to host students from Xavier College on Tiwi Island, as well as students from Our Lady of Sacred

Heart (OLSH) Catholic College from Alice Springs and St Joseph’s Catholic College from Katherine. Any remaining funds

were used to pay registration fees for our locally participating students, including Haileybury Rendall School.

ConocoPhillips Australia also continues to provide their support with representative Graduate Operations Engineer Mr

Victor Chen joining our Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dr Steve Shanahan and National Committee Board Member Mr John

Patterson for the official opening of the program. We also had Research Scientist, Coral Reef Ecology (AIMS) – Australian

Institute of Marine Science Martial Depczynski, present a seminar on Marine Science and Environmental Science careers.

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Students who have applied at Charles Darwin University as a school leaver, and have participated

in the ConocoPhillips Science Experience, as a Year 9 student between 2007-2018

Event Information

To maintain both quality of activities and the safety of our participants, the event is capped at 100 participants and

accompanying school staff. All attendants receive all meals, refreshments, a ConocoPhillips Science Experience t-shirt and

satchel bag, as well as a laminated certificate of participation and A3 laminated photo poster. All students also have the

option of receiving additional course/career information from CDU.

Students are encouraged to write their sponsor a short letter of appreciation as well as completing an event evaluation

form. Schools will also receive information of their students’ sponsors.

Participating Schools

Darwin Middle School Sattler Christian College Good Shepherd Lutheran College Sanderson Middle School

Haileybury Rendall School St John’s College

Nightcliff Middle School St. Joseph’s Catholic College

O’Loughlin Catholic College Taminmin College

Palmerston Christian School Xavier College - Tiwi Island

Palmerston College Our Lady of Sacred Heart (OLSH) Sadadeen, Alice Springs

Student Event Evaluation Summary

We received 98 student surveys. A huge 94% of students who attended agree that they now have a better understanding

of the type of work Scientists, Engineers and IT people do! Every single student who attended have said that the program

has really opened their eyes to the endless possibilities of careers and study opportunities available to them locally with

CDU.

All students agreed that the program needed to continue as an annual event to give all middle school students the option

to explore their interests. All students found the activities and experiences very interesting, showcasing a wide variety of

careers from Sports Science to Pharmacy and Medicine. 55% of students said they wanted to definitely go on to study

engineering, science or IT at university after completing year 12, with another 42% saying they were now considering it

after completing the program. 56 Students requested career/study information.

Career/Study Requests

Business Law Exercise and Sport Science Pharmacy

Medicine Paramedical Science Astronomy Health Science

Engineering Neurologist Robotics Music

Pilot Marine Biology Forensic Science Performing Arts

Hairdressing Makeup and Beauty Veterinarian Teaching

Aquaculture/Horticulture Information Technology Software Engineer Environmental Science Psychology Nursing

Student Groups

Blue Group = Charles Darwin – Group Leader: Athena Ferreras assisted by Espa Barreto

Red Group = Marie Curie – Group Leader: Sarah Dowler assisted by Joyce Yeum

Green Group = Albert Einstein – Group Leader: Hannah Hearne assisted by Erilyn Cortez

Orange Group = Isaac Newton – Group Leader: Jaime McCartney

Charles Darwin established that all species of life have

descended over time from common ancestors, and

proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of

evolution resulted from a process that he called natural

selection, in which the struggle for existence has a similar

effect to the artificial selection involved in selective

breeding.

Marie Curie’s achievements included a theory of

radioactivity, techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes,

and the discovery of two elements, polonium and radium.

Under her direction, the world's first studies were

conducted into the treatment of neoplasms, using

radioactive isotopes.

Einstein realized the inadequacies of Newtonian mechanics

and his special theory of relativity stemmed from an

attempt to reconcile the laws of mechanics with the laws of

the electromagnetic field. He investigated the thermal

properties of light with a low radiation density and his

observations laid the foundation of the photon theory of

light.

Newton was an English physicist, mathematician,

astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist and theologian,

who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and

most influential scientist who ever lived" His monograph

Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, published in

1687, lays the foundations for most of classical mechanics.

In this work, Newton described universal gravitation and the

three laws of motion, which dominated the scientific view

of the physical universe for the next three centuries.

The Experience!

Flinders University – NT Medical Program

Dr Buddhika Weerasundera, David Newman and Karen Piper

The School of Medicine prepares students to practice medicine in diverse locations as clinicians, researches or administrators.

Understanding the physical, social and behavioural sciences collectively with the application of clinical skills underpins the program.

Students had the opportunity to view the Anatomage table and experience ear examinations and CPR.

http://www.flinders.edu.au/medicine/courses/medical-course/nt-medical-program/

Exercise and Sport Science

Associate Professor Mr Tim Heazlewood, Dr Daniel Gahreman, Dr Jim Lee & Technical Officer Rhiannon Moore

Exercise and Sport Scientists are experts in understanding how human bodies respond to exercise, and how to make a difference to

the quality of life for all people. Exercise and Sport Scientists use exercise as an intervention to improve health and fitness, enhance

physical performance and prevent and rehabilitate injury in both healthy and physically challenged populations. In this activity

students will participate in physiological tests designed to test their speed, reaction time and power in both individual and team

environments.

http://www.cdu.edu.au/pcs/exercise-sport-science

Pharmacy

Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology – Mr Yean Yeow & Dr Robi Islam, Mrs Danielle Butler, Technical Officer Mrs Lyn Lowe

Simple pharmaceutical preparation; Pharmacists use their expertise in medicines to optimise health outcomes and minimise

medication misadventure. The practice of pharmacy includes the custody, preparation, dispensing and provision of medicines,

together with systems and information to assure quality of use. Students participated in our dose administration aid packing activity,

which is commonly used for clients who may have to take mutable medication on varying days. Students could take their medications

pack with them, but these medications packs are extra yummy skittles so they might not make it home!

http://www.cdu.edu.au/pcs/pharmacy

Environmental Science

Dr Keith McGuinness, Dr Erica Garcia, Dr Sean Bellairs, Dr Hamish Campbell, Technical Officers – Mr Quan Tien, Rhiannon Moore,

Mara Gray and Christine Collins

This activity looks at biodiversity and the amazing variety of small creatures living in simple, everyday environments. Students will

collect samples from simple environments (such as pond water and decomposing flora waste) and examine under microscopes the

different forms of life present.

Students were encouraged to use the resources provided to identify the life forms discovered, ask questions and then participate in

discussion.

http://www.cdu.edu.au/environment

Aquaculture, Horticulture & Aquaponics

VET Team Leader - Mr Chadd Mumme & Technical Officer Daniel Costa

Students visited the Aquaculture and Horticulture precinct and were shown the propagation shade houses first, before being shown

the functions of the campus nursery water recycling system. Students were shown and then sampled a variety of edible plants, trees

and fresh herbs, before touring the aquaculture complex. They were introduced to a number of different aquatic animals, including

Barramundi, Fresh Water Crayfish, Flat Back Sea Turtles, Clown Fish and the beautiful coral display. To highlight their experience,

students then had the opportunity to hand feed the large barramundi!

http://www.cdu.edu.au/cdu-vet/primary-industries

Information Technology – Password Security

Mr Sami Azam & Technical Officer Taylor Yu-Fang Wang

How safe is your password? In this activity, students were given the opportunity to test the strength of their current passwords. They

were educated on the importance of having a different password for all logins and coached on how to create strong passwords that

they would be able to remember!

http://www.cdu.edu.au/engit

Engineering

Mr Maung Maung Soe

Engineers make things happen! Offering a world of excitement, challenges and endless career opportunities. Engineering converts

science and technology into successful innovation, providing conditions for civilised living. The work of engineers can be seen

everywhere you look – in health, our cities, the country as a whole, food supply and distribution, medicine and even in aerospace. In

addition to everyday problems, engineers also develop solutions for emergency situations requiring rapid action to minimise effects.

An example of such accident is an oil spill, such as the spill of April, 2010 in the Gulf of New Mexico, USA. Oil spills can cause

catastrophic damage to sea life, birds and coastal locations. In the event of such an accident, effective clean-up methods need to be

available. Students had the opportunity to research and test some methods of cleaning up oil spills on a much smaller, enclosed

environment. So what was more effective? The absorbent or dispersant?

http://www.cdu.edu.au/engit

Career Investigations

Student Recruitment and Events Officer – Mrs Irta Oakley

What do you need to do now, at school, to prepare for that career you want?

Students were encouraged to think about their career aspirations and provided an overview of what to expect in Year 10 with regards

to their Personal Learning Plan (PLP). This session focusses on their career choices and pathways through VET to Higher Education. We

briefly explain the difference between VET and Higher Education and what the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is including

a quick explanation on how ATAR is used for admission into a degree.

Students were provided an insight into careers achieved through VET and Higher Education study, including what subjects in senior

years are considered assumed knowledge when applying for a specific degree. Students were informed of other or alternative entry

pathways, such as the Tertiary Enabling Programs. Students were encouraged to ask questions relevant to their interests.

Psychology and Clinical Science – ‘The Science of Memory’

Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Dr Simon Moss

Dr Moss’ primary research interest concerns how characteristics of organisations and societies (such as inequality of income or

instability of jobs) influences the neural functioning – and ultimately the mood, creativity, intuition, engagement, honesty and

altruism – of individuals.

The Art & Science of Memory: Five keys to Learning, allows you to immerse yourself in a virtual "Memory Palace" of 5 panoramic,

interactive rooms representing 5 key memory techniques. This focuses on developing a stimulating learning experience for students

to learn in an interactive environment.

http://www.cdu.edu.au/moocs/memory

Closing Ceremony

CDU Lecturer Dr Daniel Gahreman from Exercise and Sport Science – Speed Gate agility awards (Batak)

Mayooran Sathyendra

(Red Group)

Ellen Kendrick

(Red Group)

Shae Banner

(Blue Group) Jack Bradley

(Blue Group)

Ben Ramplin

(Green Group)

Lillian Conlan

(Green Group)

Luke Symonds

(Orange Group)

Marietta Puautjimi

(Orange Group)

Thanks for the Memories

Erilyn Cortez

Student Ambassador

Espa Barreto

Student Ambassador

Joyce Yeum

Student Ambassador

2018 and previous CPSE Event Photos: https://www.facebook.com/CDUSchoolsEngagement/

Student Survey Results

Did the program provide you a variety of experiences that were interesting?

Answer Choices Responses

Yes 100.00% 98

No 0.00% 0

Did the program provide you a variety of experiences that were interesting?

Answer Choices Responses

ConocoPhillips Australia- LNG Plant Seminar 76.0% 76

Flinders Medical Program NT 76.00% 76

Engineering 59.00% 59

Pharmacy 79.00% 79

Exercise Sports Science 76.00% 76

ConocoPhillips LNG Gas Plant Tour 100.0% 98

Information and Technology 'Password Security" 64.00% 64

Aquaculture and Horticulture 85.00% 85

School of Environmental Science- The Diversity of Life 73.00% 73

Career Investigations 75.00% 75

Psychology Seminar, The Science of Memory- Simon Moss 84.00% 84

Did the event give you a better understanding of the many Careers you could study at CDU?

Answer Choices Responses

Yes 95.9 94

No 4.1% 4

Do you feel this program should be offered at Charles Darwin University every year?

Answer Choices Responses

Yes 100.00% 98

No 0.00% 0

Sponsor Thank You Letters

After Year 12, do you want to study Science, Engineering and/or Technology?

Answer Choices Responses

Yes 56.70% 55

No 1.0% 1

Maybe 42.9% 42

Would you like more information on the study pathways and options here at Charles Darwin University?

Answer Choices Responses

Yes 57.1% 56

No 27.6% 27

We would like to extend a special thank you to all who supported our 2018 event; Opening Ceremony

CDU Pro Vice-Chancellor of Higher Education Dr Steve

Shanahan

National Committee Board Member Mr John Patterson

ConocoPhillips Graduate Operations Engineer Mr Victor Chen

CDU Schools Engagement Team

Ms Trisha Mellow – Event Organiser

Mrs Irta Oakley – Event

Mrs Irta Oakley – MC & Career Investigation Seminar

Mr Dean Dempsey – Event and Bus driver

Ms Hannah Hearne – Green Group leader

Ms Jaime McCartney – Orange Group leader

Ms Sarah Dowler – Red Group leader

Mrs Athena Ferreras – Blue Group leader

CDU Student Ambassadors – Student Group Support

Saurav ‘Russel’ Kundu

Erilyn Cortez

Joyce Yeum

Espa Barreto

Flinders Medical

Dr Buddhika Weerasundera

David Newman

Karen Piper

CDU Engineering Mr Maung Maung Soe CDU SA Saurav ‘Russel’ Kundu (Bachelor of Law) CDU Pharmacy

Mr Yean Yeow

Dr Robi Islam

Ms Lyn Lowe

Mrs Danielle Butler

CDU Exercise and Sport Science

Aspro Ian (Tim) Heazlewood

Dr Daniel Gahreman

Dr Jim Lee

Rhiannon Moore

CDU Diversity of Life (Environmental Science)

Dr Keith McGuinness

Dr Hamish Campbell

Dr Erica Garcia

Dr Sean Bellairs

Quan Tien

Rhiannon Moore

Mara Gray

Christine Collins

CDU Information & Technology

Mr Sami Azam

Taylor Yu-Fang Wang

CDU Science of Memory Seminar

Dr Simon Moss

Aquaculture and Horticulture

Mr Chadd Mumme

Mr Daniel Costa

ConocoPhillips Australia

Mary Fleming

Marguerita Brown

Wade Johnstone

Will O’Callaghan

Adam Cruse

David Pol

Victor Chen

Joe Wood

Fergus Robinson

Sauro Lepri

Jess Ong

AIMS Seminar

Martial Depczynski, Research Scientist, Coral Reef Ecology

Attending School Staff

St Joseph’s Catholic College – Kathryn Trotter and Kial King

OLSH Sadadeen Campus Alice Springs - Mrs Veronica Perez

and Mr Christopher Hohepa

Palmerston College – Mrs Joanne De Fransz

Report & Student Survey compiled by Trisha Mellow, Irta Oakley and

Jaime McCartney