Year 12 Science Extension students at Macquarie University’s [EX]plore Conference

It was pure joy for Dr Kristie Spence, Head of Learning Area: Science at Pymble Ladies College, as she watched six of our Year 12 students present at the Science Extension [EX]plore Conference at #Macquarie University. Congratulations to Pymble students Olivia Harvey, Sophie Coughlan, Lauren Solness, Elisa Yang and Joy Wang for their presentations, as well as to the other students from a range of schools who presented and contributed posters. The Pymble Institute was proud to sponsor this inaugural event.

Images: Audience listening to presentations and the gallery of poster presentations. Courtesy Dr Kristie Spence

What a fabulous job the Faculty of Science and Engineering from Macquarie University did in bringing this opportunity to life! The team created an event where school student research was celebrated and where students were able to complete their research journey by communicating their findings to their peers. What is more authentic in science research than that? The students rose to the challenge and then some, with their talks and posters being both informative and entertaining. 

Joy said: “It was interesting to see the different approaches other people took in their Science Extension projects.”

Sophie added: “The tours of the facilities inspired me and gave me much more of an insight into what my journey at Uni could look like.”

NSW Chief Scientist Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte did a wonderful job in his keynote speech painting a picture of what a future in science in Australia might look like. Kerry Sheehan (NESA) and Professor Sham Nair (Department of Education) were like proud dads, watching their Science Extension “baby” step beyond the school gates and showcase the exceptional worth of this amazing HSC subject. During the conference, students also went on tours of science laboratories around the University, giving them deeper insights to life as a research scientist.

We look forward to seeing next year’s Year 12 Science Extension students present at the [EX]plore Conference. Pymble Science teachers are already forward-planning with many student research projects in the pipeline from aspiring Year 10 and 11 students – so watch this space!

For more information, contact the Pymble Institute at pymbleinstitute@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.