Young scientists get taste of real world at UWA

Year 10 students from Mater Dei College in Edgewater and Perth Modern School met at the University of WA (UWA) as part of a program established by the university’s Professor Grady Venville and the college’s head of science Wayne Keady.

“We conceived the idea that students needed a forum that parallels the real scientific world where you present findings at conferences for colleagues,” Dr Keady said.

“The program gives the students genuine ownership of their work.”

Students from the college’s excellence in science program were selected at the start of the year to design and conduct an investigation then present their findings to staff, parents and peers.

Topics included the effect of electricity on plants’ growth rate, the best way to stop oxidation in cut fruit and how pyrethrum affected the growth of mung bean plants. Prof Venville said she was impressed with students’ work and their passion.