NT students journey into science

Secondary students from across the Northern Territory have delved into the world of science at a three-day event at Charles Darwin University.

Year 9 and 10 students from Darwin, Arnhem Land, Melville Island and Tennant Creek attended hands-on workshops and field trips at the ConocoPhillips Science Experience.

Students toured and learned about ConocoPhillips’ Darwin LNG plant and attended workshops run by CDU staff at Casuarina campus on disciplines including medicine, information technology, engineering, pharmacy, and environmental science.

Dripstone Middle School student Kathy Vazanellis said the event had helped her think about what she wanted to study after finishing high school.

“It’s been great,” Kathy said. “Getting all this experience and doing these workshops have been really interesting and it’s been making me think about what I want to do later on.”

CDU School Liaison Coordinator Trisha Mellow said the event aimed to spark students’ interests in gaining careers in science from an early age.

“This event is an excellent way to help young Territorians find a career in the field of science, engineering or IT, and to give them time to think about how to get that career,” Ms Mellow said.

“It also aims to encourage students to keep studying and working in the NT after high school.”

About 100 students from urban and remote schools attended the event, including from Darwin Middle School, Tennant Creek High School, Taminmin College, Palmerston Senior College, Milingimbi Community Education Centre and Tiwi College.

ConocoPhillips was the major sponsor of the event, in association with the Science Schools Foundation and supported by CDU’s Faculty of Engineering, Health, Science and the Environment. The event was hosted by CDU’s School of Environment.