STEM News
Kangourou sans Frontieres (KSF) Math Competition Results
The KSF Math Competition is inspired by the AMT’s Australian Mathematics Competition, and is now the largest maths competitions in the world, with more than 6 million participants each year.
It was run in the last week of term one. 43 students sat the test across 6 year levels.
8 students received awards of credit and above:
Credit
Awarded to a student who is in the top 50% of Australian participants (60% for Senior division).
Congratulations to:
Yr 7 Gabriel A; Harmoni M, Yr 8 Patrick O, Yr 9 - Keira H, Connor P, Yr 11 - Hannah L
Distinction
Awarded to a student who is in the top 15% of Australian participants (20% for Senior division).
Congratulations to Yr 12 – Charlie D
High Distinction
Awarded to a student who is in the top 3% of Australian participants (5% for Senior division).
Congratulations to Yr 11 – Kodee P
2023 UQ Science Ambassadors win award
In 2023, 16 Year 11 Senior Science students participated in the University of Queensland – Science Ambassador Program. Their role was to “elevate the profile of science in your school and local community, as well as create a legacy for future cohorts to be inspired to pursue STEM and follow in their footsteps.
They did this by running a weekly Science Club in Terms 2 and 3 as well as running science week activities for Shalom and visiting primary school students. At the end of the year, they are required to submit a report to the University of Queensland outlining their achievements. View their video:
Their video has won them the prestigious award of:
Best New Ambassador School – Regional Runner up
The prize is a $150 Australian Geographic e-Card that will be used to purchase prizes for this years Science Week in August.
2023 UQ Science Ambassadors:
Neha A, Zain A, Isabel A, Tenamo i, Jayden A, Ella B, Sam C, Cait D, Charlie D, Kay H, Steven P, Bailey R, Atlanta S, Ruby T, Olivia W, Arielle Y
Introducing the 2024 UQ Science Ambassadors
The Science Ambassador program is run by schools with the support of the University of Queensland.
Science Ambassadors are students in Year 11 who are studying a senior Science subject.
As ambassadors their role is to champion Science at Shalom College by developing and delivering events, including National Science Week activities, and encouraging other senior science students to share their experiences with students in all years. Our Science Ambassadors do this by running a weekly Science Club for students in Years 7 – 10 to help develop their interest in science.
UQ provide students with a badge and Shalom College gifts the students with their own monogrammed laboratory coat to wear in their science lessons. The new 2024 UQ Science Ambassadors were presented with their coats and badges on College Assembly in week 1 this term.
2024 UQ Science Ambassadors:
Hayley B, Thomas B, Chloe G, Lana G, Joann J, Hannah L, Callum M, Lara M, Isabella M, Jack M, Chris S, Maddie S, George k, Duru T, Cameron W
SPARQ- Ed Senior Education Program
Year 11 Biology student, Lara M attended a SPARQ-ED Senior Education program over the Easter break.
SPARQ-ed is a unique biomedical educational program for school students and teachers, located at the Translational Research Institute (TRI) in Woolloongabba, Brisbane. The program is open to Year 10, 11 and 12 Science, Chemistry and Biology students from across Queensland who are passionate about STEM.
The Senior Research Immersion Program is a unique opportunity for students to explore hands-on introductory biomedical research using the latest equipment and Technology in our fully equipped Physical Containment level 2 (PC2) Lab, working alongside SPARQ-ed teachers and research scientists from TRI.
Lara had a fantastic time in Brisbane – Read what she had to say about the program below.
“I chose to attend the SPARQ-Ed because I thought it would be an amazing experience to help increase my knowledge and also to help me make decisions for my future. Going into this program I knew that I wanted to have a major in science relating to biology.
The workshop was conducting an experiment for a research project that was donated to us by a team at TRI. The program was run in the TRI building in Brisbane for 5 days, 9am – 3pm, with practical and theory components throughout. On the last day we had to make a PowerPoint that summarized our experiment to present in front of family members and other science enthusiasts.
I have experienced many positive outcomes from the workshop such as making new friends, experiences in a high-tech lab, and an understanding of what university life is like. An additional bonus is that I can now apply for an ATAR adjustment based on participation in a research project”.
Mrs Debbie Bishop
STEM Coordinator - Science and Math
bishopD@shalomcollege.com