15th International Student Science Conference
The 15th International Student Science Conference (ISSC) was hosted by The Hutchins School from Monday 30 September to Friday 4 October 2019. The conference brought together over 60 visiting students from Italy, China, Sydney, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Hobart to participate in a shared science and cultural experience. The theme for this year’s conference ‘Human Impacts on the environment: science informing prevention and mitigation’ was explored through 11 student presentations on their individual research projects, five guest speakers from a number of scientific fields and excursions which highlighted some of the distinctive science that occurs here in Tasmania, and also what is distinctive with respect to our indigenous heritage, our environment and culture. Guest speakers included Dr Rebecca Harris, lecturer in Climatology from the School of Geography and Spatial Sciences at the University of Tasmania; Mr Greg Irons from Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary; Dr Lila Landowski, Postdoctoral Fellow, Neuroscience and Brain Plasticity, University of Tasmania; Dr Stas Shabala, Senior Lecturer in Physics from the University of Tasmania; and Dr Clare Hawkins, Honorary Research Associate from the University of Tasmania.
Students enjoyed exploring science in Tasmania during nine excursions which started off with activities at the University of Tasmania in the areas of Life Sciences, Geography and Architecture, Chemistry, Engineering and Earth Sciences. Later in the week there was also an Indigenous Science workshop at the Waterworks, Mount Wellington, and visits to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, the Radio-telescope, IMAS, Aurora Australis, the Sustainability Centre and the Museum of Old and New Art.
The conference was a great opportunity for young scientists, from different countries and cultures, to meet and to form friendships, showcasing some of what makes Tasmania distinctive: our science; our natural environment; and our culture. Thank you to all staff involved in the conference particularly our Head of Science Mr Peter Crofts for making this possible for our students.
Visiting schools included:
- Fahan School (Hobart, Tasmania)
- Tianjin Nankai High School (China)
- Liceo Classico Marco Foscarni (Venice, Italy)
- Presbyterian Ladies’ College (Sydney)
- St Paul’s Co-educational College (Hong Kong)
- Stella Matutina Girls’ High School (Taichung, Taiwan)