By Louise Stewart: In April school holidays I visited, together with two of my sisters and Mum, the Museum of Human Disease at the University of New South Wales in Kensington. Inside were over 3000 different interesting specimens which displayed diseased human tissue, preserved in formalin. The various lungs, livers, brains etc. show the impact of both infectious and non-infectious diseases as well as impact of antibiotics, genetic factors and lifestyle choices as smoking, drinking and drugs. Each piece is numbered and museum catalogues provide any know clinical history and a description of the abnormalities displayed in the specimens. A unique science experience was offered during the recent school holidays: “Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse”. To survive, we first had to investigate 10 different infectious and non-infectious diseases, understand their causes, symptoms and how to fight them. There were exhibits on each disease we had to research throughout the museum. Once we understood the diseases, we had to diagnose ten fictional people after reading their case studies. Ultimately we had to identify which one of the fictional people described had zombie disease. Although not actively participating, we witnessed a dissection workshop where participants were guided by a member of the museum’s staff with dissecting a kidney. They were getting to know the structure and function of the kidneys and comparing them to the diseased examples in the museum (something to consider at a possible future visit). As the museum is located at the University of NSW, ... Read More

By Jade: We started the second day of the ConocoPhillips Science Experience with a lecture by Professor Mariella Herberstein. Mariella is the Head of Department of Biological Sciences and leads the Behavioural Ecology Research group at Macquarie University. Her lecture focused on spider behaviour and evolution as well as briefly mentioning a variety of Australasian invertebrate species from mantises to assassin bugs to harlequin bugs to grasshoppers. We then ventured through the university to the indigenous science activity where we made a stone axe. We hand-sharpened stones to make an axe head, bent plants around the stone for a handle and finally made string from fibres and collected sap from trees to attach all the pieces. Later in the day, we proceeded to the astronomy activity where we took a tour of the Milky Way Galaxy inside a blowup planetarium. We looked at all the planets, their moons, supernovas, merging galaxies, constellations and nebulas. (Photo of Saturn taken inside planetarium) After lunch, we headed to a laboratory where a variety of chemistry experiments had been set up for us. In the first experiment we made slime by combining poly (vinal alcohol) with a sodium borate solution and food colouring. We then rotated to an experiment, which demonstrated how chemical reactions either release or absorb heat from their surroundings. Another experiment was making a continuous nylon thread from the interface of two liquids. Our two group leaders then demonstrated how to make elephant toothpaste by combining ... Read More

By Jade: Following is a recount of my first day at the ConocoPhillips Science Experience, which was held at Macquarie University from 15th – 17th January 2014. DAY 1: After registering and playing a few initiation games we took a short walk to the state-of-the-art Macquarie University Hospital where we learnt about zebra fish and how they are being used for research in finding a cure for Motor Neuron Disease. We also looked at human heart rates and blood pressure, discussing how and why these change. We then visited a dummy that has a heartbeat along with the ability to breathe, cry, sweat and blink. The second activity of the day focused on lasers. We used spectrometers to determine the wavelengths of light and used a laser machine that drew on the wall as we moved it. We had a lot of fun sending messages through light and I was surprised at how technical working with light can be. After lunch, we then moved to our final activity of the day - robotics. Here we learnt how to program a robot. We were then challenged to a race; however, our robots were not allowed to move on wheels as was previously demonstrated. We were given only straight pieces of lego to construct wheels that would still enable our robot to move. This was very challenging. For the rest of the afternoon we made our way around a science expo displaying ... Read More

By Lachlan: Today was the third and final day of the CSIRO boot camp, North Ryde, Sydney. When all twenty five of us had wandered in, a botanist, who had been applying Mendel's laws of segregation to Australian banksias demonstrated his research. He then explained about genes and chromosomes in various organisms but particularly banksias. After the explanation, we left the CSIRO complex and headed to the Lane Cove National Park. When we arrived at the national park, we split into groups of five and headed into the bush land to count and identify "Banksia serrata" and the colour of the flowers. Mendel was an early geneticist and he researched white and purple flowered peas. He discovered that when he bred them together, the second generation of peas had only purple flowers. However, when he bred them together again, most of the next generation was purple, but with some white flowers at a 3:1 ratio. The botanist believed that it was similar with yellow and red banksias. So, after we noted the red and yellow banksia, we returned to the CSIRO complex, our results didn't mirror his research - we found 21 red and 26 yellow banksias.. Upon arrival, the botanist produced two dead flowers from the Banksia serrata and found a heat gun. He aimed the heat gun at the flowers until both were scorched and only then did the pods open, and the seeds popped out. Banksia seeds only appear when a bushfire passes through the area, so burning ... Read More

By Lachlan: Today, at the CSIRO complex, North Ryde, Sydney, we began learning about nuclear science. Nuclear science is the study, manipulation and research of the nucleus in an atom. A scientist from ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) visited to explain, essentially, what nuclear science is. We learnt about electrons, protons, neutrons, the six quarks and boson. She also spoke about the applications of nuclear science in the real world, it is used for: Nuclear medicines, carbon dating, high quality silicon doping (used for electronics in bullet trains) and bone or tendon transplants. After the explanation, we constructed a cloud chamber, which can be used to see background gamma radiation. When we shined a torch through the chamber large clumps of particles could be seen falling to the floor of the chamber. That is gamma radiation, which is everywhere, for it is contained in uranium molecules. Uranium molecules are all over the Earth, even in bricks, so radiation is all over the place. After lunch we ventured to the 3M building only a short walk away. After being assigned groups, we wandered from display to display, where 3M instructors were stationed to explain the various inventions. 3M has invented everything from masking tape to gas masks and all things in between, but my favourite invention was a security screen for IPads. It was designed so only the person viewing the screen could see it, while people who are along side, only see a blank screen. This would ... Read More