In 2023 sixteen Year 11 Science students signed up to be University of Queensland (UQ) Science Ambassadors at Shalom College. It was their job to promote science. They did this very successfully by running science club weekly in terms 2 and 3. They engaged junior students by showcasing exciting experiments that students participated in. They also engaged with the wider school and primary school students during Science week in August. They, along with the 2022 UQ ambassadors, were instrumental in creating a series of videos about the senior science subjects that could be used by Year 10 students for subject selection. At the end of the year they were required to submit a report to UQ outlining all they had done for the year. I am incredibly proud to announce that their report was successful in attaining the following award:

Runner up Best New Ambassador School – Regional 2023.

Below is the feedback received from the University of Queensland:

“We were all incredibly impressed with the exceptional efforts you and your Ambassadors have made in 2023 to elevate the profile of science in your school and local community, as well as creating a legacy for future cohorts to be inspired to pursue STEM and follow in the footsteps of these wonderful student role models. Especially as a school that is new to the program, we deeply appreciate the effort and vision it takes to build a committed UQ Science Ambassador team, and it seems like through your dedication and the exceptional work of the Ambassadors, Shalom College has developed a strong network of students and teachers committed to fostering a vibrant STEM culture at your school.

A huge congratulations from all of us at the UQ Faculty of Science on this incredible achievement! This was a particularly strong year for the program, and we were all so thrilled to see the spectacular work your school is doing and the positive impacts the Shalom College UQ Science Ambassadors have made.”

A video created by the 2023 Science Ambassadors explaining what the program entails may be accessed using the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDw5RF2sctY

STEM Opportunity: Kangourou sans Frontieres Mathematics Competition

Inspired by the AMT’s Australian Mathematics Competition, Kangourou sans Frontières (KSF) is now the largest maths competitions in the world, with more than 6 million participants each year. Held in March, the KSF is a great opportunity for students to experience maths in a competition environment.

Competition Date: Week 10 -Tuesday 26 March -Students will be notified of details closer to the date.

Time: 75 minute exam - online only

Cost: $5.00

Nominations: Please email Mrs Bishop bishopd@shalomcollege.com to express your interest. You will then be invited to the event in Parent lounge where you will be able to make the $5.00 payment.

Nominations close: Monday 11 March: 8:30am

For more information please click on the link: Kangourou sans Frontieres Competition or see the information below

NB: Participation in this competition could create opportunities for involvement in additional Maths Enrichment programs and competitions throughout the year.

For example: Maths Team Challenge; QAMT Year 7/8 Quiz; UQ/QAMT Problem Solving Competition; Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO)

Competition Details

Divisions:

• Junior – Australian Years 7 and 8
• Intermediate – Australian Years 9 and 10
• Senior – Australian Years 11 and 12

Topics:

• Basic arithmetic
• Fractions and ratios
• Algebra and pre-algebra
• Geometry
• Measurement
• Statistics and probability
• Problem-solving

Question and Answer Format:

• 30 questions for Upper Primary and all secondary divisions, all multiple choice

Delivery: online only

Mrs Debbie Bishop
STEM Co-ordinator – Science and Math
bishopd@shalomcollege.com