Fifty - two Young Science Ambassadors who flew over South Magnetic Pole, Antarctica end their science education week at University of Melbourne today
Media Release, Wednesday 21 January 2009
To celebrate 100 years since the first party located the South Magnetic Pole in Antarctica, fifty-two science students marked the expedition in a special Centenary flight on Saturday 17 January 2009
The flight was organised by the Royal Society of Victoria with special guests Professor David de Kretser, Governor of Victoria and Mrs Jan de Kretser, HRH Duke of Gloucester and the Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, Hon Alex Chernov.
The year 12 students were selected as part of the Society’s Young Science Ambassadors’ program. They will be part of a photo opportunity today at the University of Melbourne to end their week long program.
In addition to the flight, the students undertook a science education program at the University of Melbourne involving a discovery tour of the Bio21 Institute, and attended seminars on drought, biodiversity, forestry, polar science and participated in “hands on” genetics activities.
The student ambassadors have been selected from state and private schools around Australia as well as overseas countries, New Zealand, Canada, Finland and the United Kingdom.
“These students have shown a keen interest in science and were selected on merit. Their task is to take a message back to their schools on the benefits of science education,” said President of the Royal Society of Victoria Professor Graham Burrows AO.
“This has been a fantastic program to be involved in and reflects a growing interest in science. There has been a huge surge in demand for Sciences at Melbourne," said Professor Liz Sonenberg, Dean of Science at the University of Melbourne. “This week we made over 1200 first round offers of places in our Bachelor of Science course in 2009."
“Our collaboration with the University has been a long standing one. Raymond Priestley, Shackleton’s young geologist was to become the University’s first salaried Vice Chancellor in the 1930’s. It is notable that the first Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, Sir Redmond Barry, was also the first President of the Royal Society,” Professor Burrows said.
“It is fitting that we end this extraordinary week of activities for the students at the University of Melbourne. We hope many will continue their education journey as students here,” he said.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
WHEN: 1.30pm Wednesday 21 January
WHAT: Fifty-two year 12 students, (Young Science Ambassadors) dressed in uniform, who have taken the Centenary flight to the South Magnetic Pole, Antarctica.
WHERE: The Old Quad and the South Lawn at the University of Melbourne
INTERVIEWS: Year 12 students who have taken the flight.
VISION available: Photos of flight to South Magnetic Pole, Antarctica
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