22 Jul 2021
Science Mentors ACT is a speciality science offering that provides public school students in years 9 to 12 with the opportunity to work with science and engineering professionals on investigations.
Over the course of eight months, students work with their mentor to design and conduct an experiment, collect, and analyse data, and write a report on their findings.
Alfred Deakin High School student, Angelina, has been paired up with Adjunct Professor John Rayner from the University of Canberra.
With an impressive resume of research and teaching roles, and a PhD in hypersonics and magnetohydrodynamics, “Professor John” has a wealth of wisdom and experience to share.
The pair are conducting an experiment in the field of stellar spectroscopy, the study of the absorption and emission of light and other radiation by stars.
Each star has its own unique light spectrum, similar to a fingerprint. Once they determine the spectrum, they’ll be able to classify the star.
They have plans to attend the McNamara-Saunders Astronomical Teaching Telescopes (MSATT), an astronomical teaching/learning facility at Mount Stromlo Observatory, later in the year, where they will use a stellar spectrometer to observe stars and determine the elements present in their atmosphere, their classification and their surface temperature.
In preparation for this work they have been studying the spectrum of different elements in the laboratory.
Angelina is eager to learn and extremely driven to achieve, she spends two days a week working on this project in addition to her regular schoolwork.
“It does get hard sometimes, but this is too good of an opportunity to give up,” Angelina said.
She’s already developing advanced skills in graphing, analysing data and writing scientific papers, which will help her when she attends university in the future. Angelina hopes to study physics and mathematics and is working hard towards that goal.
“It’s been amazing to work with Professor John. If any other young girl is looking to get into the STEM field then this is a really good opportunity for them, the program really opens a door for you,” Angelina said.
For the mentors too, the program is immensely rewarding, as they share their expertise with an inquiring young mind.
“One of my greatest enjoyments in life is working with these brilliant young people,” Professor Rayner said.