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DAY 2 – Workshop Activities
Spatial Science – ‘A Spatial View on the World’
Dr Waqar Ahmad, Senior Lecturer in Remote Sensing, School of Environmental & Life Sciences
Mr Ron Ninnis, Research Associate, School of Environmental & Life Sciences
Spatial science incorporates fields such as surveying, geographic information systems, hydrography and cartography. Spatial science is typically concerned with the measurement, management, analysis and display of spatial information describing the Earth, its physical features and the built environment.
This exercise introduces students to spatial information systems and the data used with them. Students will have the opportunity to examine some of the different software, tools and data available for viewing and mapping the world. They will also be introduced to the idea of ‘spatial science’ which is a term that describes a range of disciplines, including surveying, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), mapping and cartography.
‘Skin Pathogens’ – Rama Jayaraj, Research Laboratory, Menzies School of Health Research
The “Top End” of Australia and its surrounding regions are host to some of the most exotic and fascinating organisms worldwide.
The Menzies School of Health Research investigates many of these tropical nasties and monitors emerging infectious diseases in people living in tropical and remote environments. This session will give an overview of some of the weird and wonderful bugs threatening our health in this region, including Scabies and Leishmanioa. Interactive displays will allow students to get an “up close and personal” look at some of these deadly pathogens.
‘CSI – a different perspective’ – Lousie McMahon, Forensic Services Branch NT Police
Students will be given a brief talk about forensics in general.
Then we will specifically focus on blood alcohol readings (forensic chemistry) and partake in demonstrations such as wearing ‘Beer Goggles’ that simulate the affects of alcohol on your body, as well as show an informative power point presentation.
‘Quarantine surveillance and monitoring in the Top End’ – Kirsty Nealyon, Australian Quarantine Inspection Services NT
An AQIS scientist and an indigenous liaison officer will talk about survey work that they do in remote areas and the indigenous engagement program, which involves training rangers in quarantine sampling and monitoring. They will make a presentation and show some under the microscope.
‘DPIFM: Science for agriculture, fisheries and mining industries of the 21st century’ – Neil MacDonald, Regional Director& Manager of Pastoral Research, Department of Primary
Industry Fisheries and Mines, Katherine
Students will be given an overview of the large variety of scientific work DPIFM do with cattle, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, bio security, diagnostics and geology.
Student will be given examples and gain a clearer understanding on how our work affects our community and world.
Engineering – slot cars
Greg Heins, Lecturer Engineering, School of Engineering & Information Technology
Our activity for this day will involve launching slot cars from an inclined track. The angle at which the track can be inclined is variable, and the aim for the students is to determine the angle which allows the cars to travel the greatest distance before hitting the ground. No, the answer is not 45o as predicted by physics. This is a new experiment and we will have four sets of equipment, so students will work in groups of about six. This will give them a chance to practice effective teamwork to achieve the task within the time set as well as explore the problem we have set for them.
Water bugs/Microscopy
Mr Michael Howard, Laboratory Manager, School of Environmental & Life Sciences
Water samples taken during the field trip will be further examined in the Charles Darwin University Science Laboratories at Casuarina. This type of investigations will give students a valuable insight into the study content of the Yr 11 Biology Syllabus.
Forensics/DNA - ‘Fun with Forensics’
Anita Pettit, Tropical Futures Mineral Program & Bioscience North Australia, Charles Darwin University
Forensics is the application of science to solving crimes. In the popular TV show, CSI, a forensic scientist can single-handedly perform chemical, biological, ballistic, microbial and even psychological analysis. In reality, a forensic science laboratory will be divided into various sections, which all have specialists working within them. A single sample of evidence is usually passed through a number of sections. In fact, evidence samples can often be sent all over the world to various laboratories with specialist equipment and staff. There are many scientific applications with more and more being developed as technology advances. Students will use chromatography to determine " Who wrote the ransom note' and will also analyse DNA profiles to match the evidence with the DNA profiles of the 'suspects'.
