Science Fair School Activities
Cosmodome
A planetarium style programme will be shown to demonstrate the changing nature of the night sky during a 24 hour period and during the year. Prominent southern constellations will be pointed out to the students and they will be asked to identify those they are familiar with.
Constellations
The night sky was man’s first picture book. People all over the world have spent the hours of the night watching the stars and discerning patterns which eventually came to be called constellations. In all there are 88 constellations with individual names accepted by most astronomers. Different peoples on earth have their own versions of the patterns of stars in the night sky.
When we look at the stars we see various colours and brightnesses and they all appear to be set against the back background of the night sky. However it is clear that the stars are at different distances from us.
Optics – Microscopic to Astronomic
Students will use microscopes and telescopes on a journey of discovery. The workshop is in 2 parts.
Astronomic - Students will be given the opportunity to use each of the specialised pieces of equipment to look at a series of distant targets.
Microscopic – Students will discover a world far too small to see with the naked eye.
Sustainable energy and the environment
Students will explore sustainable energy and the environment through a variety of hands on activities.
• Solar
• Wind power
• Alternative energy sources
Who Killed Elmo? – Forensic Biotech Workshop
This workshop is designed to help students gain an understanding of the role a scene of crime officer (e.g. graduate from the CSU Forensic Biotechnology program working in this field) would play in solving a crime. Students will have the opportunity to work through a crime scene investigation scenario involving fictitious characters. Students will be presented with details of the crime scene and associated evidence (e.g. details of hair analysis and photos of other evidence). They will be able to perform techniques such as fingerprinting, DNA analysis and will be able to go through the evidence to solve the case.
Chemistry Everyday
A demonstration that highlights the similarities and differences between fossil fuels, biofuels and hydrogen fuels. The latter will be demonstrated by a model car that runs on water. There will be small, controlled explosions to demonstrate the energy contained in the different fuels. This will tie in with the theme of Science week – Energy Evolution. In terms of biofuels, there is heaps of energy available in food waste and this will challenge the students to be the first to come up with an efficient way of extracting this energy.
Another demonstration we are thinking about is one to do with the chemistry of aromas. by arranging a series of chemicals that should smell familiar and get the students to match the smell to the source.
Environmental Science Workshop
The School of Environmental Science At CSU, will be presenting an interactive workshop derived from their three undergraduate courses (B Environmental Science, B Parks, Recreation & Heritage, B Adventure Ecotourism) presented by an Environmental scientist students will go around our campus grounds tracking local wildlife and learn about the importance of looking after the environment as well as our native Australian wildlife.