Pymble Institute PROGRAM
Program
3.30PM4.00PM
4:00PM4:10PM
4.10PM4.40PM
Arrival and registration
SCIENCE LECTURE THEATRE, PYMBLE LADIES’ COLLEGE
Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country
Julie Sheng (Year 12), Yuki Wang (Year 12) and Dr Sarah Loch, Director - Pymble Institute
SCIENCE LECTURE THEATRE, PYMBLE LADIES’ COLLEGE
Keynote Speaker: Dr Sureka Goringe
National Director, Uniting World
SCIENCE LECTURE THEATRE, PYMBLE LADIES’ COLLEGE
Dr Sureka Goringe is National Director of Uniting World. Uniting World is the international aid and partnerships agency of the Uniting Church in Australia. Sureka brings executive and board level leadership experience from fifteen years in the technology sector, ranging from venture funded start-ups to large public-sector organisations. Sureka serves on the Board of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and she is the Chair of Church Agencies Network Disaster Operations (CANDO). Sureka has also served voluntarily as Chair of the National Committee for Uniting World Relief and Development, and as organiser of the first Uniting Women national conference. Sureka is a Sunday School teacher, youth group leader, Church council treasurer and chair at various congregations.
Sureka’s work at Uniting World answers a life-long calling, weaving her global childhood, her faith, and her passion for justice with the all the skills gained through professional life. Sureka’s childhood was spent in Botswana, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and she undertook university studies in England. Sureka has PhD in Materials Science, is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is the wife of a UCA minister, and the mother of two children and a dog.
Keynote Speaker: Associate Professor Nina Burridge
Honorary Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney SCIENCE LECTURE THEATRE, PYMBLE LADIES’ COLLEGE
Associate Professor Nina Burridge was the founding director of the Institute of Aboriginal Studies and Research at Macquarie University and the co-director of the Cosmopolitan Civil Societies Research Centre at UTS. Prior to her involvement in higher education, she was a high school teacher in History and Social Sciences in schools in Perth and Sydney. Nina’s main research interests centre on Education for social justice and human rights within Australia and in international contexts. She has completed projects on Indigenous Education, Multiculturalism, human rights education and democratic citizenship and women’s empowerment in Afghanistan.
Nina’s involvement in community organisations and social action groups informs her professional work in Education. In 2012 and 2016, she was recognised in the University of Technology Sydney’s human rights awards for her work in promoting education for women locally and internationally. In 2007, she received the Edmund Rice Centre Human Rights Award for outstanding service in campaigning for human rights for Indigenous, Refugees and Asylum Seekers.
4.40PM4.55PM Panel Discussion
Dr Sureka Goringe, Associate Professor Nina Burridge and Jenny Xu (Year 10)
5.00PM5.55PM Student Research Sessions
15-minute presentations from students (Years 7 to 12) on research based in course work, extension subjects, Sokratis projects, competitions and areas of personal interest. SCIENCE CLASSROOMS, PYMBLE LADIES’ COLLEGE
STUDENT RESEARCH CONFERENCE
Program
5.00PM5.15PM
STREAM 1
Environmental carcinogens and cancer: An analysis of effects, measurement and reduction strategies
Emiliana Barry (Year 7), Duola Lin (Year 7), Thalia Wang (Year 7) and Siri Shekhawat (Year 7)
This research explores the relationship between environmental factors and cancer development. It examines how pollution, radiation, and chemicals can cause changes in the cells that lead to cancer. It also investigates the current methods and challenges of measuring and reducing the exposure to these environmental carcinogens. The question is important for understanding the causes and prevention of cancer and its impact on human health and the environment. It is about understanding the causes and consequences of exposure to environmental factors that may damage DNA and increase cancer risk. This is a relevant topic for health and environmental research and policies.
5.20PM5.35PM STREAM 1
How we can use the regenerative abilities of the axolotl to better humanity
Leahara Wijeuriya (Year 8)
My research project delves into the remarkable regenerative abilities of the axolotl, a salamander species capable of regrowing complex structures like limbs, organs, and even parts of its brain. By decoding the genetic and cellular mechanisms underpinning this extraordinary capacity, I aim to harness these insights for human benefit. The project focuses on identifying key regenerative genes and pathways that could be activated or mimicked in humans, potentially revolutionizing treatments for injuries, degenerative diseases, and organ regeneration.
STREAM 2
Philosophy: Does curiosity kill the cat?
Hakone Liceralde (Year 9)
Curiosity is a restless tendency, an obsession, and a gift. Playwright Ben Johnson’s maxim, “Curiosity killed the cat” cautions us against the risks of futile investigation. Since curiosity is ingrained in our nature so deeply, we hardly even realise how ubiquitous it is in our daily lives. Yet, think about how much of our time is spent on information consumption and searching. The greatest minds in history have contributed to their respective fields because of curiosity, but what does it mean for us from a more personal perspective? And most importantly, how can curiosity drive research for good?
STREAM 3
The relationship between nationalism and history
Georgia Bicego (Year 12)
This research explores history and the role it plays in constructing a national identity, through the lens of the changing historiography of Australia’s Frontier Wars and its impact on national identity.
STREAM
2
Human connection and cultural exchange: The relationship between Macassan trepang traders and Indigenous Australians
Jenny Xu (Year 10)
This presentation explores the relationship between Macassan trepang traders and Indigenous Australian groups prior to European colonisation. By examining a range of historical sources, each with their own values and limitations, this project examines the changes and continuities in historical methodologies and cross-cultural relationships.
STREAM 3
What impacts the aspirations of girls in Australian high schools in our current day and age?
Claire Vincent (Year 10) and Ilesha Nair (Year 9)
An exploration on how the aspirations of Australian female students in years 7 through to 12 are influenced by different factors that are relevant to the current times. This study aims to understand the notions held by girls in the years leading up to their pursual of higher/further education and the beginning of their career path. The basis of this presentation is a survey conducted within Pymble by the Girl Up committee.
PYMBLE LADIES’ COLLEGE
Program
5.40PM5.55PM
STREAM 1
The role of technology in education
Summer Shen (Year 8)
Technology in education is frequently used these days, mostly among students. This presentation will explain who uses technology, what online tools we use to help us learn better, why it is used in education (for what purpose?), personalised learning, assessments and feedback, and answers! As a student, I find technology has its ways and although sometimes it has cons, there are also pros of learning using a computer, laptop, iPad, iPhone or even maybe a TV! Learn more about technology in this presentation!
STREAM 2
Psychology behind assisted dying
Alice Yan (Year 10) and Michelle Pan (Year 10)
*This is a sensitive topic area. Please read the description before attending the workshop to be aware of the content*
In our research, we’re diving into the psychology behind assisted dying, looking at both legal and illegal situations. We want to understand this topic better, including things like euthanasia and Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD), as well as thinking about how the death penalty fits into this picture. We’re also interested in what happens when assisted dying is illegal and how people cope with that. Plus, we’re drawing comparisons with abortion to see how they’re similar and different when it comes to choices about life and death.
5.55PM6.00PM Conference conclusion GATHER OUTSIDE SCIENCE LECTURE THEATRE
STREAM 3
Sustainability: The future of our society
Jing Yuan Li (Year 7) and Arianna Ng (Year 7)
This research project is spreading knowledge of new innovations in sustainability that will help our schools across Australia. It is time for our school to learn some new sustainable techniques to enhance our growth in knowledge. Our research will explore current sustainability projects into research, and spread awareness of the new innovations in sustainability to schools. We believe this is an incredibly important issue to research.
