Brittany Taj Anita Haydn Christian
The Rotary Club of Drouin sponsored four Year 10 students from Drouin Secondary College to participate in the three-day ‘Conoco Phillips Science Experience’ (STEM) program at one of the following: RMIT, The University of Melbourne, Marine & Freshwater Discovery Centre-Queenscliff, Swinburne University of Technology, Federation University-Gippsland or University of Melbourne-Dookie College. Our students, who were financially supported in-part by their parents, chose RMIT.
The students – Haydn King, Christian Downes, Brittany Gardner and Taj Vass – were allocated into groups of 25 participants for the experience(s), highlights of which include: getting up at 6.00 am to catch the coach to Melbourne; Rod Quantock’s opening address; extracting DNA from E. coli; DNA analysis; Food preparation testing; biotechnology; the science of the Metro Tunnel; virtual reality experience workshop; a day at the Melbourne Zoo with projects and strategic analysis; a day at Yarra Trams depot encountering issues and developing engineering solutions; spending time with current university students and hearing of their experiences; experiencing the opportunities of university life and culture; and, experiencing staying the city itself.
The students thanked Rotary for their support and all agreed that it was an eye-opening experience and one which helps them appreciate the opportunities ‘SCIENCE’ offers as a career.
Rotary President Tim Wills thanked the parents for their contribution and support. And particular thanks to the club’s Youth Director Anita Coonan for her organisation and devoting three days to travel with and support students.