Science 

Inside the ChemCentre

THE Year 11 and 12 ATAR Chemistry students recently spent a morning at the ChemCentre in Bentley, for a tour and Q&A session with experts in the field.

The day began with a welcome by Jane Mitchell who highlighted all the various facets of the work at the ChemCentre from environmental analysis to the forensic work it performs in conjunction with WA Police.

The students were split into groups, taken on a lab tour or tested their emergency forensic response knowledge. The lab tour was conducted by Senior Chemist and Research Officer Barry Price, who has almost 50 years' experience in the industry. Mr Price took the students through the Environmental Analysis Laboratory, showing them the various equipment while testing their Chemistry knowledge along the way. The students were intrigued by the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometer that used a plasma source to detect tiny amounts of heavy metals in the environment. 

While in the small group activity the students had the opportunity to suit up in the emergency response safety gear and demonstrate the challenges of conducting experiments in the field. The students then analysed forensic fabric samples from victims and matched the weapon to the pattern or trace left behind.

The last part of the excursion involved short talks with two scientists who work at the ChemCentre. Ibi Jambol and Jenny Goh shared their journey of becoming scientists and some of the interesting work that they do. Mr Jambol shared with the students his story, from dreaming of being an astronaut to his work at the ChemCentre. He showed the students the interesting places he has taken samples for analysis, these included on top of a vent stack at ALCOA to kayaking down the Canning River. Ms Goh shared the story of her later start to her Chemistry career; her worldly knowledge and expertise has allowed Ms Goh to apply her knowledge of Chemistry to the real world.

Thank you to Mr McGoorty for driving the bus and Mr Rickard for accompanying the students.

(Miss K MaGee

Chemistry and Science Teacher)

Student Comments

Anthony Abi Tanous and Armaan Josan

From the tour of the laboratory to hearing the first-hand experiences of the many scientists at Chem-Centre, this was really an experience many of us won't forget. Especially where we watched our fellow classmates try on those pesky hazmat suits and learn about the fabrics that can be used to solve many forensic puzzles. These activities really gave us a better understanding of how chemistry is applied in the real world and the different fields in which it can occur.

Shilpa Ghimire

It was a great experience visiting the ChemCentre in Curtin University. We were filled with new knowledge regards to the work of the people there and the importance of chemistry. We would like to thank Mr. McGoorty for driving us there and back. “I got forced to wear the PPE by Shilpa but it was an amazing experience.”- Guntaas Ranu We got to tour the Chemistry lab and they had great equipment for future students who wish to study Chemistry in Curtin. Shoutout to Ms MaGee for having her name on the honours poster.