Chief Scientist for Australia, Professor Penny Sackett announced the national teams in early June as part of a ceremony held at Parliament House in Canberra.

Twenty six students in total will compete across the biology, chemistry, informatics, mathematics and physics competitions at various locations including Korea, Croatia, Japan, Canada and Kazhakstan.

“These young people are among our top high school science and mathematics students. They have undergone months of gruelling training and testing to be here today to be honoured as an Australian representative for maths or science,” Professor Sackett said at the ceremony.

The teams will compete against gifted students from more than 100 other countries, making it a trial of truly international standards.

In addressing the competitors, Professor Sackett noted the importance of science and maths education in Australia.

“There are big challenges ahead for our society, in climate change, in food and water security, in medicine,” she said.

“Our future will be increasingly dependent upon young, talented and enthusiastic people like yourselves who will use science for the benefit of everybody.

“Now more than ever, Australia is the land of opportunity for those who want to pursue careers in science and mathematics and make a difference.”

The Australian Olympiad program is coordinated by the Australian Science Innovations (ASI) and the Australian Mathematics Trust who run their own internal competition and training programs to select the teams.

Interim Executive Director of ASI, Dr Nick Hagan said the Olympiads helped prepare talented students for a promising career in science and mathematics.

 “In earning themselves a place in the team, these students have proved themselves to be the best of the best in Australian science and mathematics. They are now going to be challenged against the best in the world at what are highly prestigious international events,” Dr Hagan said.

Learn more about our Olympiad competitors below:

BIOLOGY
Competing in South Korea 

Program Director:  Dr Mary Oliver

Jingchun Chen – Year 11 – James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW 
Jingchun has always had a fascination for science and remembers from the age of eight years old she just liked asking “why”. This led to her great love of reading any science related books, magazines & comics. Her other interests include: art, textiles and writing. Jingchun is looking forward to: her first trip overseas, the challenge of the international competition as well as meeting people from all over the world.

Paul Khoo – Year 12 – Melbourne High School, VIC
As a young boy Paul remembers visiting the local library borrowing science books instead of picture books and devouring sections of encyclopaedias. He was always taking apart everything at hand to discover how things worked. He has a keen interest in biology and also likes the esoteric nature of quantum physics and fluid mechanics. In 2007 he was the winner of the ASX national share market competition. Paul other talent include javelin, singing and piano.

Vivian Li – Year 12 – Pymble Ladies College, NSW
Vivian believes that science gives an insight in to the world. Her teachers who imparted their knowledge and love of learning with great passion ignited her interest in science. Vivian would like to publically acknowledge them today. She is interested in the current research in genetic modification and stem cells. One day Vivian would like to pursue research that will improve the quality of life and change the way we live.

Gina Tonkin-Hill – Year 12 – The University High School, VIC
When Gina was in primary school she dressed up as Alfred Nobel. Today a former student has inspired her at her school, Elizabeth Blackburn, who was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. Gina has enjoyed the Olympiad training particularly the dissections. In the future she hopes to become a doctor and work with medecins sans frontiers. Gina is looking forward to meeting people from other countries and experiencing life in Korea.

CHEMISTRY 
Competing in Japan 

Program Director: Dr Mark Ellison

Allan Chau – Year 12 – James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW
Allan’s interest in science was sparked by his brother who returned from the 2004 Summer School full of enthusiasm for Chemistry. This made him determined to follow in his footsteps. Allan enjoys the laboratory experiments and solving problems. He is hoping to study for a Bachelor of Science. Allan is looking forward to experiencing the beauty of Japan.

Kelvin Cheung – Year 11 – James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW
Kelvin was awarded a bronze medal at the 2009 International Chemistry Olympiad and this year he is going for gold! Kelvin’s other interests include football, swimming and bushwalking. In the future he would like to become an eye surgeon and work in rural Australia.

Stuart Ferrie – Year 12 – Melbourne High School, NSW
Stuart has achieved top of the state awards in many science competitions. He plans to study a degree in science whilst also pursuing his other passion – music. Stuart has been involved in Melbourne Youth Music, school ensembles and is currently music captain at Melbourne High. Stuart is looking forward to visiting Japan, meeting interesting young people and the challenge of completing two difficult exams.

Cyril Tang– Year 12 – Sydney Grammar School, NSW 
The use of the Internet and the influence of his teachers and Olympiad tutors have had a powerful impact on Cyril and his perception of the field of science. New worlds of organic chemistry, astrophysics, and marine biology have made him more curious to understand how things work and why things happen. Cyril enjoys hanging out with friends, computer games, reading fantasy books and entertaining family guests by making origami polyhdera. He is keen to succeed in Japan whilst also enjoying the cultural and social experiences that await. 

PHYSICS 
Competing in Croatia 

Program Director: Mr Matthew Verdon

Madeleine Barrow – Year 12 – MacRobertson Girls High School, VIC 
Madeleine was motivated to continue with science because of the influence of her teachers who are here today to help celebrate her achievements. She is also a talented musician who plays first violin in the Melbourne Youth Orchestra. Madeleine has been concertmaster at Music Summer schools and is currently the Music Captain at MacRobertson Girls High. She is fascinated by the mystery of quantum physics and finds electromagnetism elegant!  Madeleine can’t wait for the chance to look at some really interesting physics problems in Croatia. 

Hilary Hunt  – Year 12 – MacRobertson Girls High School, VIC 
Hilary has always been interested in science and is keen to pursue a career in a science related field. She is an avid reader and enjoys travelling, experimenting with different types of food and learning about other cultures. Hilary is looking forward to the international competition in Croatia because it’s not often you get the chance to experience the camaraderie between such a diverse and bright group of students whilst also exploring the local culture.

Andrew Kam – Year 12 – Sydney Grammar School, NSW 
Andrew delights in exploring the world of physics for example studying the technology involved in the various effects that occur on a molecular level in crystals. He has a wide range of interests from playing bridge, poker and golf to enjoying being swimming captain and singing in the school capella group. Having received an Honorable Mention at the Asian Physics Olympiad, Andrew is looking forward to the competition in Croatia.

Olivia Kim – Year 12 – James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW 
Olivia has only recently developed an interest in science. Last year she began learning physics and was hooked by the logic and analytical skills she developed. In April Olivia successfully competed in the Asian Physics Olympiad. In September, she heads to Princeton University to continue her education. She plans to study economics, applied mathematics and offcourse, Physics. Her other interests include learning foreign languages – German, Japanese and Spanish, military history, volleyball philosophy and debating.

Alexander London– Year 12 –  Sydney Grammar School, NSW
Alex has always had an affinity for science. He is particularly interested in relativity and quantum physics. Questions about the origins of the universe and how it will end are topics that excite Alex. This year he was awarded a bronze medal at the Asian Physics Olympiad. He is looking forward to the cultural experiences in Croatia. Next year Alex is thinking about studying law. He enjoys playing cricket, soccer and golf.

Ishraq Uddin– Year 12 –  Hurlstone Agricultural High School, NSW
Ishraq remembers being inquisitive from a young age. Like Alex London, he too is keen to explore fundamental questions about our origins and why the universe takes the form it does. He admires Galileo for persisting with his ideas and scientific beliefs. Ishraq was a member of the Asian Physics team and cherished the opportunities to meet other teenagers from around the world who also had a genuine interest in science. Next year he plans to study science possibly at the University of Sydney.

Iris Uy– Year 12 –  Baulkham Hills High School, NSW
Iris did not pay much attention to science until one of her teacher’s sparked an interest by using analogies to explain complicated scientific concepts. Now, her favourite subject is physics! Other interests include playing the piano and clarinet, singing in a capella choir and soccer. Iris intends to further her studies at university doing an engineering degree possibly aerospace engineering or a science degree.

Bob Wu– Year 12 –  Sydney Grammar School, NSW
In Year 7 Bob can remember a history lesson in which he learnt about the Scientific Revolution and the influence of Isaac Newton and Galileo Galilei. He began to see the magic of science and the development of ideas. Currently he is keen to learn more about nanophysics and its extensive range of applications from the use of carbon nanotubes in creating space elevators to the application of nanotechnology in combating disease. Bob is also interested in international affairs, Australia’s relationship with the world and the mechanisms of the global community. In the future he would like to pursue a career in diplomacy.

MATHEMATICS 
Competing in Kazakhstan 

Program Director: Dr Angelo Di Pasquale

Aaron Chong – Year 12 – Doncaster Secondary College, Vic
Aaron has always had an affinity for numbers which he finds challenging and stimulating.  He plans to study Business and Commerce with a focus on mathematics related topics, perhaps eventually becoming an Actuary.  Aaron was awarded a Silver medal at the 2009 IMO and this year he hopes to win gold for Australia.

Timothy Large – Year 11 – Sydney Grammar School, NSW
Whilst Timothy has always liked maths, he became really interested in the problem solving side through AMOC’s state based program in NSW.   He hopes to further his study at university and follow a maths related career.  Timothy is looking forward to all aspects of the IMO: the mathematics, visiting new places and the people he will meet.  Timothy also enjoys studying Computing, Physics, Latin and Greek and his hobbies include classical music, video games and films.

Stacey Law – Year 12 – James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW
Stacey has had a natural interest in maths since she was very young and plans to include mathematics in her future studies.  Stacey achieved a Bronze medal at IMO in 2009 and she enjoys the whole IMO experience including team training and meeting team members from other countries.  Her other interests include reading, music, volleyball, tennis, films, sketching and painting and playing pool.

Kiho Park – Year 12 – Mount Waverley Secondary College, Vic
Kiho enjoys discovering and learning new theorems in maths, especially the feeling of achievement when he solves a difficult question.  His current ambition is to do his best in the coming IMO, and to continue studying maths at university.  He is also looking forward to visiting Kazakhstan and meeting students from many different countries.  Kiho enjoys playing the cello and piano, and practising Taekwondo.

David Vasak – Year 12 – Sydney Grammar School, NSW
David first became interested in mathematics because he enjoyed solving problems and liked the neatness of the results.  He hopes to study pure mathematics in the future and his immediate aim is to do well at IMO.  David looks forward to visiting Kazakhstan and seeing a new part of the world.

Sampson Wong – Year 12 – James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW
This will be Sampson’s third IMO; he achieved a Bronze medal in Madrid in 2008 and a Gold medal in Bremen last year.  His favourite topic in mathematics is geometry and while he hasn’t decided on his future studies, they will most likely include mathematics.  Sampson is particularly looking forward to going to Kazakhstan and meeting new people at the IMO.

INFORMATICS 
Competing in Canada

Program Director:  Mr Bernard Blackham

Luke Harrison – Year 12 – Normanhurst Boys High School, NSW
Luke’s interest in Informatics came about because it allowed him to do two of his favourite things – program and solve difficult problems.  He hopes to study computer science at UNSW and hopefully gain a scholarship that will allow him to gain work experience in the field.  He looks forward to the challenge of IOI and hopes to gain a medal.  Luke regularly plays soccer and also enjoys playing piano.

Evgeny Martynov – Year 11 – James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW
Evgeny took part in several programming competitions at primary school when he lived in Russia.  When he came to James Ruse he was inspired to continue these activities through classes run by a former IOI medallist at the school.  This is Evgeny’s second IOI, having won a Bronze medal in Bulgaria last year.  Evgeny looks forward to the challenge of this year’s competition and plans to pursue studies in physics, maths and computer science.  He also enjoys reading and building aircraft models, and helping other students with informatics.

Robert Newey – Year 11 – Cobar High School, NSW
Robert has been interested in programming for many years and seeing a talk by Randall Munroe inspired him to look at programming challenges.  He was encouraged to take part in the Australian Informatics Olympiad program by his maths teacher at Cobar High School.   In future he would like to study a combined electrical engineering and computer science degree at UNSW and is looking forward to meeting the world’s top high school informaticians at IOI.  Robert’s other interests include playing and refereeing basketball, cycling, going to the gym and honing his sense of humour.

Kenneth Wong – Year 12 – James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW
This is Kenneth’s second IOI, having competed in Bulgaria last year where he was awarded a Bronze medal.  He first began programming because it gave him a creative outlet and after joining his school’s programming club in Year 9, he was introduced to informatics which has claimed his interest ever since.  After studying for a degree in computer science, Kenneth would like to work for a company such as Google.

At the annual  APSM Olympiads, students use maths to battle it out for the chance to help their school take the title of ‘Team of the Year,’ as well as working to gain a perfect individual score for themselves.

Students from any Australian or New Zealand school can compete in one of two divisions – Division J for children under 12 years of age, and Division S for children under 14 years of age. Last year, more than 32 000 students competed in the challenge and organisers are expecting even more for the 2010 event,  with registration due to close on April 30.

Schools can enter teams of up to 30 students and both individual and team prizes are up for grabs.

Chief Scientist for Australia, Professor Penny D Sackett, said events such as the Olympiads encourage children to engage with maths in a positive way outside the classroom.

“Maths can be fun, exciting and interesting, and the Olympiad is just one example of all three.

“Australia is facing a skills shortage in many areas that are dependent on knowledge of mathematics – everything from engineering to economics – so it’s important that we encourage students to improve their maths skills,” Professor Sackett said.

Enrolments in secondary school and university maths programs are slipping every year, with the starkest drop recorded between 2005 and 2007 when the number of year 12 students enrolled in advanced mathematics courses declined by 20 per cent.

A recent paper released by the Group of Eight universities which discussed the state of mathematics in Australia, indicated that per capita, Australia trains two and one-half times fewer mathematics graduates than is the standard in developed (OECD) countries.

One of the recommendations of the report is a push to make maths fun and exciting for students.

As well as activities such as the Olympiads, students can become involved in numerous other initiatives and competitions, including science poetry competitions, wildlife photography contests, drawing and video contests and even robot creations.

 To find out more about these competitions, please visit the websites listed below:

•  Science Olympiads – http://www.asi.edu.au/olympiads/
• Big Science Competition – http://www.asi.edu.au/bigscience/
• National Youth Science Forum – http://www.nysf.edu.au/
• Sleek Geeks Science Prize – http://www.science.usyd.edu.au/outreach/eureka/index.shtml
• Australian Brain Bee Challenge – http://www.abbc.edu.au/intro.php
• International Science Poetry Competition – http://www.sciencetime.com.au/ser/poetcomp.html
• 60 Second Science Challenge – http://www.60secondscience.net/
• Science and Engineering Challenge – http://www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/engineering/events/challenge/
• RoboCup Junior – http://www.robocupjunior.org.au/
• Australian Mathematical Olympiad – http://www.amt.canberra.edu.au/amocprog.html
• Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians – http://www.amt.canberra.edu.au/mcya.html
• Geologi Competition – http://www.asta.edu.au/sectevents/geologi_2010_competition_now_o
• Australian Statistic Poster Competition – http://www.amt.edu.au/statscomp/
• Scinema – http://www.csiro.au/scinema/aboutus/index.html
• Young Inventors’ Bright Spark Award – http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/brightspark/brightspark_app.htm
• Up Close and Spineless Photographic Competition – http://australianmuseum.net.au/event/Up-Close-Spineless-Photographic-Competition-2010
• National Wildlife Photo Contest – http://www.nwf.org/photocontest/default.aspx
• Wildlife Photographer of the Year – http://www.nhm.ac.uk/wildphoto
• ANZANG Nature Photography Competition – http://www.anzangnature.com/
• Eco-Comedy Video Competition – http://american.edu/soc/cef/Eco-Comedy-Video-Competition.cfm
• Geology Rocks Drawing Competition – http://australianmuseum.net.au/Geology-Rocks-Drawing-Competition-2009
• National Science Week – http://www.scienceweek.gov.au/Pages/index.aspx
• WetlandCare Australia National Art and Photography Competition – http://www.wetlandcare.com.au/Content/templates/news_detail.asp?articleid=756&zoneid=1
• National Mathematics Summer School - http://www.nmss.org.au/

Click here to find out more about how Jelly Beans get their flavour!

Recently, I had the good fortune to participate in a number of National Science Week events across Australia.

Starting in the Nation’s Capital, I attended the launch of National Science Week and sent a message off to Gliese 581d, a planet orbiting its own “sun” outside our Solar System that may support life.

“Our observations indicate that your planetary system is a low-mass star orbited by at least four planets, can you confirm?”

My message was transmitted with 25,877 others from around the world at midday on Friday 28 August 2009. They were sent by the NASA/CSIRO Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla, Australia, using the 70-metre main antenna known as DSS43. To read more of the messages sent go to http://www.hellofromearth.net/

Professor Graham Durant (Director of Questacon), Minister Carr and Professor Sackett at the Launch of National Science Week.

Moving north, I launched Science in the City in Sydney, an annual event run by the University of Sydney, the Australian Museum, and the City Council of Sydney. Students from across NSW came to experience the fun of science by participating in hands-on workshops. Talking to Australia’s top scientists also gave the students an opportunity to explore the possibilities for a career in science. I definitely had some fun while I was there: my favourite activities were watching and petting a tame Tawny Frogmouth, and personally isolating the DNA of strawberries. You can try isolating DNA yourself at home – just visit the Strawberry DNA isolation story. As for frogmouths, well, you’ll have to have a keen eye and some patience, because these birds specialise in camouflage and remaining very still.

A Tawny Frogmouth – often confused with owls, Tawny Frogmouths are more closely related to nightjars

In Brisbane, I visited Wavell State High School to discuss science career options with students. I also participated in the official launch of the Queensland National Science Week with Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Peter Andrews, in a unique art and science interactive display that allows participants to understand the sounds, sights and smells of the world of the honey bee.

I also helped Captain Starlight bring some fun, laughter and science to sick kids at the Mater Children’s Hospital with the Captain Starlight National Science Week TV launch.

Professor Sackett with Chelsea Davidson at the Captain Starlight National Science Week TV launch.

In Darwin I had a hectic schedule with activities ranging from the Top End Science Fair, school visits to two remote indigenous schools, the bush food of Arnhem Land Science Fair, and The First Astronomers artistic talk.

The first astronomers talk brought together Bill Yidumduma Harney, senior custodian of the Wardaman people, and Ray Norris, a UK born and educated CSIRO astrophysicist Ray Norris. They explored their separate experiences of the sky and the meaning it holds for humanity. This event was part of the Darwin Festival and took the point of view that, like music and art, astronomy can build a strong bridge of understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians as we all share the same sky.

Ray Norris, Professor Sackett and Bill Yidumduma Harney at the First Astronomers Artistic Talk, Darwin Festival.

At Belyuen Primary School I participated in The Science of Entertainment Goes Outback, a program run by Newcastle University, which shows kids the science of making movies and special effects.

Belyuen School, NT

At Maningrida Community Education Centre (an hour and a half bumpy but beautiful charter flight from Darwin), I took part in the Bush Food of Arnhem Land Science Fair, a very tasty affair. I had the privilege of tasting traditional indigenous food such as Quandong (wild peach) and bush tomato chutney, barramundi, kangaroo and crocodile meat, and bush pig cooked in the traditional way with hot coals.

I also learnt some traditional tracking skills and sat in with some students as they learnt how to test bush foods for starch (a type of carbohydrate) such as yams, Bunya pine seeds, Burrawang seeds, Long-leaved Mat Rush, cycad seeds, malanga and mung beans. This workshop was designed to help teach the students about nutrition and also learn scientific testing methods.

Professor Sackett joins students from Maningrida Community Education Centre as they test bush foods for starch.

Professor Sackett talks with Students from the Maningrida Community Education Centre

I thoroughly enjoyed my National Science Week experiences and would be interested in hearing about yours…

Have you ever wanted to see what DNA actually looks like? Well try this great experiment, which shows you how to isolate the DNA of a strawberry…

Strawberry DNA Isolation

This author of this article is the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology.

ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology

The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology focuses on the discovery and characterisation of the molecular components and control mechanisms that drive energy metabolism in plant cells. The Centre operates in three major university nodes across Australia: the University of Western Australia (Perth), Australian National University (Canberra) and the University of Sydney.

The Centre combines world-leading expertise and experience in organelle biology (chloroplasts, mitochondria and peroxisomes) with complementary expertise in genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, biochemistry and physiology. Four research programs within the Centre work towards identifying the mechanisms by which subcellular energy metabolism and communication systems control plant growth and development.

Research is carried out using four cutting-edge technology platforms on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to identify the key regulatory factors that control the biogenesis of organelles and their role in energy metabolism. This knowledge contributes to resources and knowledge for improving plant performance, particularly in marginal environments and in response to climate change, thereby providing the means to enhance the yield and nutritional value of a range of agricultural products.
Visit www.plantenergy.uwa.edu.au for further information.

When Captain Cook was exploring the east coast of Australia, he had with him a very talented young botanist, Joseph Banks. Banks quickly realised that he was observing thousands of plant species that were obviously unique. He and Cook went home excited by all the different plants and animals they had seen during the expedition. Soon the whole of Europe was talking and speculating about the strange flora and fauna of Terra Australis.

Since then hundreds of species have become extinct in Australia, including at least 50 bird and mammal species and more than 60 plant species. Biologists have now listed all those plants and animals that they know are at risk of extinction in Australia. These are called endangered species. The list includes 19 species of fish, 16 frogs, 16 reptiles, 47 birds, 39 mammals and 612 plants.

There are two main threats to the continuation of species in Australia, and these threats have already caused extinctions. They are:

• Loss of habitat – this may result from climate change, activities of humans or natural events;
• the introduction of alien species which prey on and compete with native species for food and habitat.

Why does extinction matter?

A certain level of biodiversity is necessary to keep our ecosystems healthy. This is because each species performs a different function within an ecosystem. Extinction has always occurred; the important thing today is that the rate has greatly accelerated. This increased rate of extinction has already led to unstable ecosystems as well as to the loss of potentially useful species.

Can we prevent extinctions?

If we are aware of the problem and are concerned for our unique plants and animals, there is a good chance that we will, at least, slow the rate at which organisms are becoming extinct. For example, in 1994 when the ancient Wollemi pine was discovered, only 40 trees existed in its natural habitat. Since then, the Mount Annan Botanic Garden has grown hundreds of trees from seeds and cuttings and the plants are now grown commercially.

However, not all species under threat of extinction are being protected, nor is there sufficient funding to do so. Deciding how to allocate funds for threatened species programs is a difficult problem. The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is responsible for policy issues and running programs aimed at protecting threatened species in Australia.
More information on this topic is available on the Australian Academy of Science’s Nova: Science in the news at. Australia’s threatened species. A glossary, student activities and useful resources are also available.

Nova covers the science that makes news — the exciting, and often controversial, research that has the potential to revolutionise the world we live in. Nova, developed by the Australian Academy of Science, is a website you can trust to provide accurate and up-to-date information on science, health, the environment, mathematics and technology. You can register free of charge on Nova’s home page to receive an email whenever a new topic is added. Nova can be used by teachers planning lessons, students doing assignments, parents helping children with projects, librarians answering reference queries, journalists researching stories – and anyone who wants to keep up-to-date in science and technology.

Pollution, overfishing, coastal development and climate change are putting the world’s coral reefs under increasing pressure. With millions of people relying on them, how can science help make our reefs sustainable?

A healthy coral reef is a thing of beauty and a wonder to behold. Coral reefs make a great holiday destination but for many of the world’s people they are so much more. Approximately 500 million people depend on coral reefs for food, coastal protection, building materials and income from tourism. But this precious resource is under growing pressure and in serious decline.

19 per cent of the world’s coral reefs have effectively been lost and a further 15 per cent are seriously threatened with loss within the next 10 to 20 years. In some regions the losses are significantly higher.

And what is threatening our coral reefs? Basically it’s us and our activities. Overfishing, pollution, disease and habitat destruction are some of the direct threats, but overarching and interacting with these are a suite of more serious problems connected with climate change – warming oceans, ocean acidification and rising sea levels.

However, it’s not all bad news, especially in the short term. As scientists investigate how coral reefs bounce back after major disturbances (such as storms) they’re discovering that healthy coral reefs can have enormous resilience. While healthy, biodiverse reefs can be resilient to disturbances such as warmer water, multiple threats to reefs decrease their ability to bounce back. Through effective management of reefs and their catchment areas and by establishing marine protected areas we can reduce the threats to the reef and help make them sustainable. However, in the longer term, the future of the Great Barrier Reef and other reefs of the world will depend on international initiatives to curb carbon dioxide emissions.

The future of the world’s coral reefs is looking grim on many fronts, and climate change will certainly redraw the coral distribution maps of the world. As this century unfolds, unless we curb our greenhouse gas emissions and promote resilience in our reefs, corals are going to deteriorate to the point where we could lose them altogether

More information on this topic is available on the Australian Academy of Science’s Nova: Science in the news at Science for sustainable reefs. A glossary, student activities and useful resources are also available.

This topic is sponsored by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

This author of this article is Nova Science in the News. Nova covers the science that makes news — the exciting, and often controversial, research that has the potential to revolutionise the world we live in.Nova, developed by the Australian Academy of Science, is a website you can trust to provide accurate and up-to-date information on science, health, the environment, mathematics and technology. You can register free of charge on Nova’s home page to receive an email whenever a new topic is added. Nova can be used by teachers planning lessons, students doing assignments, parents helping children with projects, librarians answering reference queries, journalists researching stories – and anyone who wants to keep up-to-date in science and technology.

With the population exceeding 6.7 billion and growing by over 6 million a month, the need to protect agricultural land and to increase food production has become critical. Does sustainable agriculture have the answers?

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is the key principle behind the concept of sustainability.  If natural resources such as soil, nutrients and water are used up at a rate faster than they are replenished, then the farming system is unsustainable.  Sustainability is also dependent on maintaining a high level of biodiversity, especially in the soil and the surrounding environment.

Some of the biggest threats to sustainable agriculture are loss of biodiversity, dryland salinity, acid soils and pests and weeds.  Farmers, scientists and agricultural authorities are working together on approaches to deal with them.

Sustainable agriculture is a simple concept that embraces a complex web of scientific and economic issues.  Developments in information technology will play a key role in managing the complexity.

To achieve sustainable agriculture we must deal both with issues involving environmental impacts and productivity of the land. The farmer-focused agricultural organisations in Australia are working with researchers to develop farming systems that are both sustainable and profitable.
More information on this topic is available on the Australian Academy of Science’s Nova: Science in the news at Feeding the future – sustainable agriculture. This topic is sponsored by the CSIRO.

This author of this article is Nova Science in the News.

Nova covers the science that makes news — the exciting, and often controversial, research that has the potential to revolutionise the world we live in.

Nova, developed by the Australian Academy of Science, is a website you can trust to provide accurate and up-to-date information on science, health, the environment, mathematics and technology. You can register free of charge on Nova’s home page to receive an email whenever a new topic is added.

Nova can be used by teachers planning lessons, students doing assignments, parents helping children with projects, librarians answering reference queries, journalists researching stories – and anyone who wants to keep up-to-date in science and technology.

This activity shows you how to make a star projector. You will be able to make the constellation Scorpius shine on your ceiling and walls.

This activity is from CSIRO’s free weekly e-newsletter Science by Email.  Each issue includes science news, a hands-on activity to do at home, a quiz and more. Visit www.csiro.au/sciencemail to subscribe. Want more hands-on activities? Visit CSIRO’s DIY Science pages and the Science by Email activity archive

Warning: This activity requires the use of a sharp compass. Be careful not to prick yourself.

You will need

• torch
• printer
• paper
• cardboard
• pencil
• tape
• scissors
• compass
• mailing tube*

*These are the type of tubes you would use to mail a poster.

What to do

1. Place your torch on a piece of cardboard with the light facing the desk. Trace a circle around the face of the torch.
2. Cut out the circle and fold it in half. Cut a small semicircle out of the cardboard along the fold. It should be less than a centimetre wide. When you open it back out, it should look like a round hole in the centre of the circle.	Cut out a circle the size of the face of your torch. Fold it in half to cut a hole in the centre.
3. Tape the cardboard over the face of the torch. We also taped around the clear edges of the torch to minimise the light spilling out of the sides.	Tape the circle to your torch. You may also need to tape any gaps.
4. Print off the template, preferably onto cardboard.
5. Take the caps off the end of the mailing tube.
6. Place the end of the mailing tube over the template so that all the black dots are covered up. Trace a circle around the outside of the tube.
7. Use the compass to poke through the template where the black dots are. Wiggle the compass around at the larger dots to make a larger hole.	Cut out the template to the correct size and punch holes in it where the dots are.
8. Use tape to fix the template onto the end of the tube. Make sure that the side with the printing is facing outward.	Tape the template to the tube.
9. Find somewhere dark and shine the torch through the tube at the ceiling or wall. You may need to move closer or further away from the wall to see the stars at their finest.	Shine the torch through the tube and onto the wall or ceiling.

What’s happening?

A constellation is a group of stars that make up a picture in the sky.  Although the stars form a pattern in the sky from Earth, they may not be related at all. The stars in a constellation can be hundreds of light years apart.

The story of the constellation Scorpius is based on ancient Greek mythology. Scorpius was a scorpion sent to kill Orion, the great hunter. The two constellations are on the opposite sides of the sky. Orion sets as Scorpius rises, symbolising the fall of the hunter.

If you can, head outside to see if you can find Scorpius in the night sky. The brightest star in Scorpius is called Antares. You may be able to see it glowing slightly red. It is a red supergiant star with a diameter about 800 times that of our sun. Red supergiant stars are the largest stars in the universe, but do not necessarily have the greatest mass.

Applications

Light pollution is artificial light from streetlights, shopping centres, and other outdoor lighting. It makes the night sky brighter and the stars more difficult to see.

Later this year, as part of National Science Week, Australians will be asked to take part in the Big Aussie Star Hunt (BASH). Part of this project includes a light pollution survey.

All you need to do for the survey is count the stars you can see in Scorpius. The more stars you see, the less light pollution there is. List your observations on the website to contribute towards making a light pollution map of Australia. This map will help show where we can save energy and help the environment.

BASH will also show you how to find other constellations, teach you how to find south using the stars and help you find out more about Indigenous astronomy.

BASH is a project initiated by CSIRO and coordinated by the ABC. Visit the BASH website for more information.

Try another Science by Email activity using astronomy
Timing the stars
Make a telescope

More information

Australian Aboriginal constellations
Build a planisphere
CSIRO’s Australia Telescope National Facility

This article is an initiative by CSIRO Education

This activity is from CSIRO’s free weekly e-newsletter Science by Email.  Each issue includes science news, a hands-on activity to do at home, a quiz and more. Visit www.csiro.au/sciencemail to subscribe. Want more hands-on activities? Visit CSIRO’s DIY Science pages and the Science by Email activity archive

Warning: this activity requires the use of a hot stove. Younger scientists should ask an adult for help. Be careful not to burn yourself!

You will need

• 2 litres of milk
• 1/3 cup of lemon juice
• large pot with lid
• thermometer
• wooden spoon
• colander
• cheese cloth
• string
• fresh herbs, salt and pepper (optional)

What to do

1. Heat the milk to 80 degrees Celsius in a pot on the stove and then turn off the hotplate. Make sure that you stir the milk while heating to stop it from burning and even for a short while after you have turned the heat off.
2. Add your lemon juice and stir well.	Pour the milk into the pot, carefully heat it to 80 degrees Celsius, then add lemon juice.
3. Put the lid on your pot. Let the mixture set for 15 minutes until the mixture separates into curds and whey. If the liquid (the whey) is still milky, add more lemon juice.
4. Line a colander with cheese cloth, then pour in the lumpy curds.	Once the curds have separated from the whey, strain the mixture using cheese cloth.
5. Tie the corners of the cheese cloth together. Hang the parcel to drain for 1-2 hours.	Tie the cheese cloth together and drain, allowing all the liquid whey to run out.
6. Remove the cheese. If you want to, add salt, pepper and herbs. Your cheese is ready to eat!	Add salt, pepper and herbs to taste. Enjoy!

Store your cheese in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.

What’s happening?

In this activity, you separated milk into curds and whey. This is the main step required to make any sort of cheese.

You’ve probably heard of curds and whey before, in the nursery rhyme Little Miss Muffet. Before being interrupted by a very rude spider, Miss Muffet was sitting down to a bowl of lumpy cheese and liquid, similar to what you have just made.

Milk has lots of protein in it. The lemon juice you added caused the proteins in the milk to become separated. The clumpy curds that become cheese are made from the milk protein, casein. Other cheeses are curdled by vinegar, or more typically by the addition of bacteria and an enzyme – a chemical to help the process – called rennet.

So, what is the difference between different types of cheese? There are lots of different milks that can be used for different flavours. This includes cow, goat, sheep and buffalo milk.

Some types of cheeses also have different bacteria added. These bacteria may require different temperatures and grow at different rates. In addition, mould may be added, or herbs, or smoke.

There are lots of different factors that come into play when making cheese, which is why there are so many yummy types!

Try another dairy-based Science by Email activity.

More information

Podcast: listen to a cheese researcher
In the cheese lab
Study cheese at Charles Sturt University

This article is an initiative by CSIRO Education