Vanessa Lam
22 January 2016: The University of Canberra recently welcomed students from the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) for a range of activities, including robot programming, exploring biodiversity at Lake Ginninderra and a virtual hangout with European nuclear researchers.
A group of 14 students from across Australia had the opportunity to learn about robotics with Professor Roland Goecke and assistant professor Damith Herath.
Dr Goecke said the students enjoyed the challenges of getting to program a robot and were impressed with their trip to the University.
"A student from Coffs Harbour was impressed that our robots are programed to play soccer, while a Rockhampton participant said the trip to UC was a highlight of the forum," he said.
The NYSF is an annual 12-day summer program for students entering Year 12 who are passionate about science, technology, engineering and maths. NYSF aims to encourage young Australians to pursue careers as scientists and engineers and lead Australia's future.
During the camp the students visited labs and sites across the region, attended lectures, met with scientists and participated in a range of workshops and social activities.
A group of students visited Lake Ginninderra with the University's Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE) director, Professor Ross Thompson and environmental science lecturer Valerie Caron, who spoke to the students about the IAE's research into pollution. Together they tested the lake water for biodiversity and collected samples of organisms in water.
The Faculty of Health welcomed a group of 30 students, where they learnt about pharmacy with assistant professor Alison Shield. They made menthol cream, investigated how long it takes for medicine to break down, explored the influence of drugs in the body and visited the pharmacy at the Health Hub to see pharmacists in action.
The National Science Teachers Summer School, which runs alongside the NYSF, also visited the University and spent time finding out more about pharmacy.
Students and teachers also attended a videoconference with CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research at the University's Ann Harding Conference Centre, where they were able to speak with CERN research physicist Dr Rolf Landua, a leading figure in antimatter.
Founded by Rotary, the program saw 400 school students from around Australia participate in the program, with around 40 per cent of students from rural and regional Australia and over 50 per cent being young women.
