Great Scot - The Scotch Family Magazine - Issue 149 December 2016 Great Scot - The Scotch Family magazine issue 149 | Page 36

Senior School

ABOVE: YEAR 11 AWARD WINNERS IN THE SCIENCE OLYMPIADS

Success for Year 11 boys in
Science Olympiad examinations
Scotch Year 11 boys performed very well in
the recently concluded 2016 Australian Science
Olympiad Examinations, in which over 5000
Australian students competed. In Chemistry,
Scotch boys achieved five high distinctions, six
distinctions and nine credits; in Physics there
were two high distinctions, six distinctions and
four credits; and in Biology there was one high
distinction, five distinctions and three credits. Dr
Marta Cassidy, Head of Science, and the Principal,
Mr Tom Batty, presented the boys with their
certificates in School Assembly.
In the Science Olympiad, a high distinction is
awarded to the top 10 per cent of achievers in the

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examinations, a distinction to the next 20 per cent,
and a credit to the next 30 per cent.
Only a select few students nationally are
awarded a gold medal and are invited to attend
the Australian Science Olympiad Summer School.
Edward Buckland (Year 11) was recognised for
his outstanding achievement in Physics and
achieved this honour. Edward also received a high
distinction in Chemistry. We wish him the very best
for the Summer School.
DR ATIT BHARGAVA – SCIENCE
AMBASSADOR

BrainSTEM –
Why? Why not? What if...?

ABOVE: TIMOTHY KEEP AND JEAN PAUL MARTINI HARD AT WORK IN SWINBURNE’S DESIGN ROOM.

‘However far modern science and technics
have fallen short of their inherent possibilities,
they have taught mankind at least one lesson:
nothing is impossible.’ Lewis Mumford,
Technics and Civilization, 1934 (Columbia)
Held at Swinburne University each semester,
BrainSTEM Innovation Challenge aims to link
secondary students with tertiary learning,
industry and enterprise. BrainSTEM is a Science
extension project, supported by Scotch’s
Extension Studies.
Throughout the challenge, students’ capacity
to brainstorm, incorporate critical and analytical
thinking skills, work with others including a
mentor, problem solve, and use their innovation
skills are meshed together. Students are
encouraged to narrow their focus, explore the key

Great Scot Number 149 – December 2016

concepts and possibilities, and aim to create an
innovative idea or project.
A Scotch Year 11 group worked with Dr Peter
Maher in the first semester. They decided to take
an indigenous t