Science Roadshow makes big bang in Regional Victoria

Victoria University is strengthening its commitment to educating budding scientists in Regional Victoria turning their classrooms into a laboratory for a day.

The VU Science Roadshow will visit schools in Regional Victoria in March where Year 9-10 students will boost their curiosity in science in the ‘Be a Chemist for a Day’ Program and Year 11-12 students can put theory into practice using analytical instruments in the VCE Chemistry Practicals Program.

VU is taking state-of-the-art scientific equipment into the schools, including a liquid chromatograph for separating and analysing mixtures; and an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer to analyse samples with light absorption. The instruments were obtained through a partnership with Shimadzu Scientific Instruments.

VU’s Dr Domenico Caridi said, “Instrumental chemical analysis is now an important topic within the VCE chemistry curriculum and access to analytical instrumentation is important for schools so as merge theoretical principles with hands-on experience. Unfortunately the cost of instruments means that these are not affordable by schools.

“This is an important part of the curriculum in the VCE Chemistry Practicals Program and students and their teachers will be able to put theory into practice with hands-on access to analytical instruments with experiments including the analysis of aspirin in medications and caffeine in energy drinks.

“The ‘Be a Chemist for a Day Program’ engages students in science via their senses where aspirin is converted into Dencorub (Deep Heat) and students can smell the change, and generating electricity from lemons. This program aims to inspire students at a younger age so that they may be encouraged to pursue studies and careers in science.”

Dr Caridi is keen to promote hands-on science to secondary schools students. He said, “Science is an exciting career and will shape our future so it’s critical to give school students opportunities to engage and have access to the right facilities to inspire them and extend their understanding.”

Dr Caridi and staff from VU’s College of Engineering and Science will be visiting schools in Seymour, Benalla, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Shepparton, Horsham, Warracknabeal, Stawell, Ballarat and Daylesford.

Dr Caridi is available for interview on 0411 236 544

Dates and times when the Show will be happening.

Media Contact:

Christine White

Public Affairs Unit, Victoria University

9919 4322; 0434 602884; media@vu.edu.au