Science
Environmental Science Camp
Year 12 Environmental Science Camp to Healesville Sanctuary, Toolangi State Forest, La Trobe Valley and Bald Hills Wind Farm
It was one of the best camps I've been on in quite a while. I learned so much through the interesting field work. Being able to get out there and hike through path-less dense forest was so different to usual school camps. We were able to get our hands dirty with some real fieldwork which included spotlighting for possums and collecting cameras from deep in the forest. We all were given the opportunity to take charge ourselves and plan ourselves- and the data we collected contributed to a great cause.
Brilliant tour guides were chosen including a Senior Researchers from the Australian National University who really understood how to engage and let us help with real life problems. Getting up close to our native wildlife, travelling to the coal mines and the wind farms, and trekking through Tolangi forest, reminded us all what environmental science is really about. I definitely would go on the camp again if I could.
- Karly Fowler
Computing, Informatics and Data Opportunities
Two opportunities are open for students interested in Computing, Informatics and Data.
The Australian Informatics Olympiad (AIO) is a national computer programming competition held on 3rd September. Students write short computer programs to solve three problems that vary in difficulty. The competition does not test computer literacy or knowledge, but is focused on problem solving through programming skills. Some students will be asked to participate in invitation-only events from which the top four will be selected to represent Australia in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). Training will be conducted during weekly lunchtime sessions. Interest students should sign up at http://jmss.it/aio
GovHack is an annual open data competition held all over Australia and New Zealand. This year's competition runs on the weekend of the 3rd-5th of July. Teams are eligible for some great prizes, in addition to honour and fame at our Red Carpet Awards. Over 46 hours digital creatives will work in teams to create new concepts and ideas using open Government data. Concepts include websites, data visualisations, mobile apps and business ideas, with the aim of finding new ways to solve challenges facing government, industry and the community. At the end of the weekend the groups submit a video, team page, and code for sponsors to judge. Interested students should sign up at http://jmss.it/govhack
Please contact Mr. Rajewski if you have any questions.
Science Exhibition Evening Next Week - All Welcome
This year’s annual Science Exhibition Evening will take place on Tuesday 12th May. The night gives Year 10 students the chance to display work from their elective sciences. There will be a range of engaging presentations ranging from practical set-ups to project work, and will cover a multitude of scientific disciplines.
Please come and join us on Tuesday 12th May between 5.00pm – 7.00pm (BBQ from 4.30pm) to gain an understanding of what JMSS and our students have to offer!
- Carly McSkimming
Assistant Head of Science
Regenerative Medicine Lecture
On Tuesday 5th May Year 12 students Carl Xing and Gregory Goldstein attended a lecture by Dr Kaylene Young at Monash University's Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute. Dr Young's research team from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Tasmania has been investigating neural plasticity or 'myelin plasticity' in order to determine its therapeutic potential in treating conditions such as MS.
Greg – “Aging happens differently from one system to another and Dr Young is working on redressing degenerative processes that cause neurons to malfunction so that she might solve the problem of autoimmune and age related disease in the central nervous system.”
Carl – “My research aims to predict the future research trajectories of multiple sclerosis by looking at the current research and therapy. Dr Kaylene Young's research included a wide range of detailed information on oligodendrocyte physiology, which is essential for my research and for the future treatment of multiple sclerosis. Her lecture is one of the best I have attended to especially considering the technicality, presentation details and her efficiency of delivering information. It has been very inspirational. Thank you so much for the opportunity.”
Greg and Carl are both currently participating in Year 12 Extended Investigation.
- Maxine Rofe
Assistant Head of Science (Projects)
Lab Manager
Art-Meets-Science competition
Collision is a competition that invites artists, scientists and students to respond to the theme of particle physics. Submissions are invited for work that deals with particle physics concepts and/or responds to the competition theme: “The Large Hadron Collider has restarted… what will we find this time?”
Categories and Prizes
— High school and primary school student category with a $500 cash prize and $1,000 for their school’s science program);
— Open category (no age restrictions) with a $1,500 cash prize. International entries are welcome in the Open category.
A selection of multimedia/ short film and print entries will be exhibited at RiAus Future Space Gallery; and selected entries will be published in CSIRO’s Double Helix magazine. Entries will close midnight Sunday 23 August AEST.
Competition site: http://collision.org.au/
CoEPP site: http://www.coepp.org.au/