CSIRO scientist encourages students to reach for the stars

The woman described as one of Australia’s most inspiring young engineers is coming to Southern Cross University for the 2011 Northern Rivers Science and Engineering Challenge.

Dr Kimberley Clayfield heads the CSIRO space sciences and technology section.

Dr Clayfield is guest of honour at a dinner at Wollongbar on Wednesday, June 8. She will also address the students at the University’s Lismore campus on Thursday, June 9, the first day of the Challenge.

The 33-year-old hopes her visit will inspire the youngsters and encourage them to broaden their career aspirations.

“To give them an enthusiasm and appreciation for science, engineering and technology. To show them it can be really exciting and that it can influence our daily lives in a great range of ways,” Dr Clayfield said.

For Dr Clayfield, a career in space sciences was inevitable.

“I think I probably read too many science fiction novels as a kid. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed. I’ve always been very enthusiastic about space science and space applications in particular. And I followed that path into engineering and then into space applications.”

Dr Clayfield has a bachelor degree and PhD in mechanical engineering and also studied space law and policy.

“I’ve demonstrated that you can have quite a specific interest and passion like I do with space and turn it into a career, which perhaps most young people in Australia might not think is possible, but I’ve demonstrated that you can. Admittedly there aren’t heaps of jobs in Australia in the space area but they’re definitely out there and they’re definitely achievable.”

The popularity of the Northern Rivers Science and Engineering Challenge has seen the program this year expand to two days, June 9 and 10, with a record number of 15 high schools and 480 students participating from across the region.

On Thursday, June 9, students will be competing from Alstonville High, Cape Byron Steiner School (new for 2011), Emmanuel Anglican College Ballina, Grafton High (new for 2011), St Mary’s High School Casino, Southern Cross School K-12 Ballina and Woodenbong Central.

While Friday, June 10, sees Banora Point High School (new for 2011, but previously competed in the Gold Coast Challenge), Kadina High School Goonellabah, Lismore High School (2010 winner), Mullumbimby High School, Richmond River High School North Lismore, St John's College Woodlawn, South Grafton High School (new for 2011) and Trinity Catholic College Lismore, all trying to outsmart each other.

The 2010 Challenge was won by Lismore High School, with St John’s College Woodlawn the runner-up. Lismore went on to compete in the Super Challenge at the University of Queensland and placed 4th, qualifying them to compete at the Grand National Championship in Gosford, where they came 23rd out of 800 schools nationally.

Lismore High science teacher Sharon Templeton said her students gained a lot of confidence from the experience.

“When it comes to the crunch they can work together really well to solve problems,” said Ms Templeton. “And that’s what it’s all about, teamwork and a lot of commonsense, too. They seem to perform well under those conditions.”

Ms Templeton said Lismore High had competed in all five Challenges since the program’s inception in 2006.

“I do know of several students who took a great liking to science and have gone on to Southern Cross University.”

The Science and Engineering Challenge is hosted annually by Southern Cross University and the Rotary Club of Alstonville.

Head of the Southern Cross University School of Environmental Science and Management Professor Jerry Vanclay said the Challenge gave students a taste of university life and the real-life problems they would face as our scientists and engineers of the future.

“There are lots of problems in the world where we do need people who are good, independent thinkers who can solve problems,” Professor Vanclay said. “But in saying that, many of the world’s challenging problems are not ones that can be solved individually. Instead they’re solved by being a good communicator and a good team player.”

The eight Challenge activities test creative, planning and design skills to the maximum, especially with the introduction of a new activity called Bio-Bot, where students are given materials like straws and elastic to make fingers and design and build a model hand that works in a biologically similar way to a human hand.

Other popular activities making a return are the War Machine (constructing a catapult), Gold Fever (bridge-building) and Who Gets the Water (designing a water reticulation model).

Alstonville Rotary’s Ross Turvey said his organisation was proud to play a part in encouraging the region’s youngsters to pursue tertiary qualifications.

“Fifteen hundred students have taken part in the Challenge in five years,” Mr Turvey said.

“For us, it’s important for our young people to see all the career possibilities available to them in the science and engineering fields.”

Major sponsors of this year’s Challenge are Ardill Payne & Partners, GHD, Engineers Australia, NSW Sugar Milling Cooperative, RTA NSW Services, and Environmental Analysis Laboratory Southern Cross University.

Photo: Dr Kimberley Clayfield, executive manager of CSIRO spaces sciences and technology. Media opportunity: Dr Kimberley Clayfield is available for interview. Dr Clayfield will speak to the students on Thursday, June 9 at 9.00am. Media opportunity: The Northern Rivers Science and Engineering Challenge is held in the P-Block gymnasium space at SCU’s Lismore campus on Thursday, June 9, and Friday, June 10.