Daramalan Furthers Its Reputation In Science

Daramalan College has furthered its reputation of excellence in the field of Science with three of its students being among the 26 national finalists at the BHP Billiton Foundation Science and Engineering Awards earlier this year.

The awards which are Australia’s most prestigious in school Science and Engineering are a partnership between the CSIRO, BHP and the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).

“The three students – Gabrielle Jarvis, Emma Johnson and Kavinya Welikala, drew on their own scientific knowledge as well as the expertise of specialists in their area of study,” Daramalan Principal Rita Daniels said.

“Miss Welikala’s Engineering project was an integrated mobile heart monitor that automatically alerts Emergency Services via an Android phone app in the event of a heart attack.

“She was mentored by Daramalan’s Information Technology teacher, David James.”

The projects of the other two students were mentored by ANU scientists. Miss Johnson explored how soil micro-organisms re-populate after bushfires in an attempt to find a way to aid the recovery of national parks and grasslands, while Miss Jarvis decided to research the impact of increased temperatures on crop production and food supply.

In 2017 Daramalan College opened a new building with contemporary Science facilities.

According to Mrs Daniels they have produced more finalists and semi-finalists in the BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Competition than any other school in Australia over the past four years.

Two previous Daramalan finalists, Terence Johnson and Lachlan Wilson, were selected from this competition to attend the 2016 International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona where they achieved more success.

In May, Miss Welikala has been selected to attend this same event which will be held in Pittsburgh.