Outreach
The Future
Triple S Science Fairs
Science for School Students
Coral Newman
In 2004 we will have presented 18 successful Fairs under the banner of Science for School Students! Though we may allow ourselves to feel a wee bit proud of this achievement, we know there is never room for complacency! So we maintain our energy, encourage each other and improve our efforts wherever possible.
I’ll tell you a little about the “we” who provide this unique opportunity throughout the wide spread of the Perth metropolitan region, enabling school students and the general public to experience free “hands-on” science, and to meet real scientists in a positive, fun environment.
Passionate and determined women and men from each of the four public universities in Western Australia have given their time and talent to ensure that what started as something of an experiment in 1997, has now become an eagerly anticipated entry in the calendar of scientific events for schools.
Among the passionate people initially were Dr Christine Creagh and Russell Elsegood from Murdoch University, Dr Sato Juniper (then with WISE) and Helen Smith from the University of WA; Tiki Swain and Dr Bob Loss from Curtin University; Coral Newman from Edith Cowan University; Angela Doyle from the Scitech Discovery Centre and Sue Meek (then with DoCaT Science and Technology). All recognised the great potential of a science fair to raise awareness of science and technology, particularly with young people.
Dr Chris Creagh is a great example of an inspired and inspiring scientist. Her field is Physics, so not only has she given, and continues to give, great service on the working committee, she willingly provides simple, eye-catching and mind-stretching activities at the Fairs that are enjoyed by both children and adults. This enjoyment arises because she conveys her excitement as she shares her knowledge. We are fortunate that she is, in fact, typical of the people whose contribution is essential to the success of our events.
She also says: “We try to entice all high school students to the Science Fairs, not only those already interested in science. It is a fun night, the demonstrators enjoy the evening as much as the visitors do. We are not promoting universities, we are not promoting university courses - we are promoting science because we think it is intrinsically interesting and fun.”
The Triple S Science Fairs are held in the gymnasium of a host school for three hours in the evening. There can be up to 40 or more exciting displays/demonstrations covering subjects in the world of science from astronomy to zoology. Because the stalls are staffed by keen people actually involved in scientific work, the explanations and discussions are relevant and interesting. The “hands-on” activities provide an element of fun, and can prove eye-opening! The many articulate women contributing to this great night are role-models, who may possibly make dramatic changes in unconsciously held notions that “scientists” are “all madmen in white coats”!
We will continue for as long as we
can to present our Triple S Science Fairs, to provide positive messages about
science – not least that there are many women scientists in many different
fields, with room for many more to be welcomed into a fulfilling science
career!
Available for enquiries: Coral
Newman for Triple S (Science for School Students) Committee
Ph (08) 6304 5880
Email: c.newman@ecu.edu.au v