Dawul students launch rockets and explore science with Scitech's touring program
That is what the students at Dawul Remote Community School got up to when Scitech came to visit them recently on Doon Doon Station, 110km south-west of Kununurra.
Scitech Primary STEM co-ordinator Ryan Forsyth said the students had a blast, literally.
'Everyone loves seeing a Scitech explosion, that's for sure, but for the staff, we loved seeing what we could learn from the kids,' he said.
The visit was part of the Scitech Aboriginal Education Program in which the not-for-profit science centre hits the road and travels to remote schools in WA. This dry season, Scitech is visiting 26 schools in the Kimberley including Dawul Remote Community School.
Mr Forsyth said the program was designed to help children explore science in their everyday environment.
'It's about getting the kids to be curious and start to explore the world around them through simple stuff, like asking questions, making predictions and, our favourite part, doing experiments,' he said.
Bridget James, 10, said using the microscopes was her favourite part of the day.
'My favourite thing was catching all the bugs and looking through the little goggles to see what they looked like close up. And my second-favourite thing was the microscope to see what they looked like close up — it was scary,' she said.
Mr Forsyth said the show stopper for most students was when they brought out two kitchen-cupboard staples.
'Probably the favorite of the day, was a mixing bi-carb soda and vinegar inside a film canister and turning it upside down. Once it all mixes together the pressure builds up and it pops off into the sky like a rocket.'
The Scitech Aboriginal Education Program will travel about 5000km, visiting Kimberley schools between now until September.
State manager Shaun New said the tour was part of Scitech's commitment to engaging all West Australians with science.
'Science is for everyone and that's why Scitech visits every Western Australian primary school every three years,' Dr New said.
'We are incredibly privileged to be welcomed into remote Kimberley communities, and we start building relationships with teachers and students many months in advance.
'By the time we arrive in the community we often get kids screaming and running up to the Scitech truck, making us feel like rock stars.'
The Kimberley schools on the Scitech tour include Looma Remote Community School, Kimberley School Of The Air, Halls Creek District High School, Purnululu Aboriginal Independent Community School, Kalumburu Remote Community School, Fitzroy Valley District High School and East Kimberley College.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
Western Australia leading the way after adoption of Emergency WA public warning system in Canada
Emergency warning technology designed for WA has been rolled out on the other side of the world in a Canadian province. Manitoba, a province in the centre of Canada, has released its version of the Emergency WA website, called MB Ready. The website features similar looking warning graphics marking 'wildfire' watch and acts, evacuation centres and road closures. The move comes amid 53 Western Australian firefighters having been deployed in Canada over the past months, tasked with battling deadly bushfires. Canada is currently fighting a horror bushfire season with multiple states of emergency declared and two people killed. DFES Public Information Manager Anni Fordham said the overseas adoption was proof Western Australia was leading the way on public safety messaging. 'With our significant experience, our State is really leading the way when it comes to emergency information and this is thanks to our depth of experience and also the world class systems that we've built,' she said. 'It's really clear from all the conversations I had there (Canada) that there is a really strong interest in the work that we're doing here, and it's something that we can be really, really proud of.' According to Ms Fordham multiple jurisdictions around Australia and overseas have also expressed interest.
West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
Scitech tours the Kimberley, visiting 26 remote schools with hands-on science education
Scitech is bringing the fun of science education to the Kimberley, visiting 26 schools across the region between May and September. Supported by Collier Charitable Fund and the Toyota Foundation, the Scitech team will cover more than 5000km of territory by plane and car to provide hands-on science education. Scitech Statewide manager Dr Shaun New said the tour was part of Scitech's commitment to engaging all West Australians in science. 'Science is for everyone and that's why Scitech visits every Western Australian primary school every three years,' he said. 'We are incredibly privileged to be welcomed into remote Kimberley communities, and we start building relationships with teachers and students many months in advance. 'Our team introduces themselves to students through video first, helping to build relationships and trust, which is so important in creating a great learning environment. 'By the time we arrive in the community, we often get kids screaming and running up to the Scitech truck, making us feel like rock stars.' Scitech senior science communicator Eliza Driffill said the workshops were specifically designed for Aboriginal students. 'We take part in the experiments alongside the students and teachers, so science is experienced in a collaborative way,' Ms Driffill said. 'One of our favourite activities involves collecting insects to look at under a microscope. 'We provide the equipment, but the students apply their own experience and knowledge when it comes to how to catch the insects and where to look for them. 'In this way, Scitech is able to offer a new perspective on an environment that the students are already experts in. 'Aboriginal people were the first scientists in Australia, and there is so much we can learn from the world's oldest continuing cultures.' As part of the progam, Scitech also delivers professional learning workshops to extend teachers' skills and confidence in hands-on science learning. 'We provide physical resources and materials so that teachers can continue to run science lessons after our visit,' Dr New said. 'Scitech is the spark to inspire, build confidence, create fun memories and encourage teachers and students to continue their science journeys.' Scitech will visit Sacred Heart School, Kulkarriya Community School , Looma Remote Community School, Yiramalay/Wesley Studio School, La Grange Remote Community School, Ngalapita Remote Community School, Yakanarra Community School, Nyikina Mangala Community School, One Arm Point Remote Community School and many more between May 27 and September 24.
West Australian
15-07-2025
- West Australian
Emma Garlett: WA's Aboriginal resistance heroes deserve a day to celebrate
Here's the good news: West Australians could soon be getting two extra days off per year. And the even better news: we get a say in what those extra days off will be for. West Australians have long been shortchanged when it comes to public holidays. We get 11 a year compared to 13 in most of the Eastern States. A shake-up of the public holiday calendar is set to rectify that, with the Government calling for input into the changes. Public holidays are more than just an extra day off work or school. They are a statement about who we are as a society. They announce to that society's members and the world at large the achievements and milestones that the community believes are worthy of celebration or commemoration. It's a fantastic opportunity for WA to officially recognise its Aboriginal history. We are talking about the custodians of the oldest continuous living cultures on Earth. Surely that's an achievement and a history that is deserving of a day off to celebrate? And there are plenty of moments in WA's proud Aboriginal history to celebrate. Yagan is a name that is probably familiar to Perth residents. Born around 1795, he was a Noongar leader and warrior is the namesake of Yagan Square in the CBD. He was initially friendly with the early settlers and was a champion of culture, place and authority in the early years of the Swan River Colony. To many Noongar West Aussies, Yagan is a symbol of our recognition and rights. Unfortunately, it did not end well for Yagan. He was shot in 1833 and his head was cut off and sent to England where it was kept at the Royal Institute in Liverpool until 1964. It wasn't until 1997 that it was finally returned to Australia and another 13 years before it was reburied. The date of that reburial — July 10, the anniversary of Yagan's last full day alive — would be fitting to celebrate Yagan Day. Alternatively, there's Fanny Balbuk, who was a Noongar woman born in 1840 on Matagarup (Heirisson Island). She was determined never to give up her land. She was resolute, even as Perth's settlement encroached further onto her lands. She continued to maintain her traditional rights, regardless of what was in her way. She would walk her lands, gathering foods, knocking down fences if she needed to. She was a true resistance fighter. Without the knowledge she passed down, the Noongar Native Title claim of 2006 may not have been successful. The date of that claim, September 19, could be celebrated as a day dedicated to Fanny's memory, to celebrate her commitment to fighting for her culture. This is not just about a day off. This is saying that we as West Australians recognise and value our Aboriginal history. Emma Garlett is a legal academic and Nylyaparli-Yamatji-Nyungar woman
