Some of our top scientists travelled to the Wheatbelt town of Quairading recently to assist local high school students solve a mystery ‘crime’*!
The students from years 7-10 at Quairading District High School got the chance to experience first-hand the work of a forensic soil specialist, learning how to examine soil samples and ‘crime scene’ evidence to try to find the ‘culprit’.
The students, from years 7 to 10, collected soil samples and undertook a series of tests to determine the properties of their samples. They also examined the ‘crime scene’ evidence which included garden trowels containing trace amounts of soil and evidence from 'suspects', and compared these to try to determine ‘who dunnit’!. The digital microscopes proved a popular hands-on activity as students examined some real-life samples from ChemCentre in minute detail, identifying features that are impossible to see with the human eye.
ChemCentre is committed to promoting chemistry-related education and provides a range of engagement opportunities for school, university and community groups to foster greater appreciation and understanding of chemistry. Quairading District High School is a leading school in the STEM4Innovation program.
(*not a real crime!)
