Dec. 23rd 2020 : Stawell students to gain unique insight into dark matter
Stawell Secondary College will have front row access to world-class research in a new partnership with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics.
The Dark Matter Centre will develop learning resources and activities for the students, who will also benefit from the location of the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL) on their doorstep.
Researchers at the Centre hope SUPL will play a central role in the discovery of dark matter – a discovery that would change our understanding of the Universe.
Representatives from the Centre last week visited Stawell Secondary College to explore the potential to work together to ignite an interest in science and the search for dark matter.
Centre Chief Operating Officer Amanda Western, a former Stawell resident who has been closely involved in the inception of SUPL, said lessons on dark matter could be integrated in classes in 2021, along with incursions and excursions.
"I am excited to be back in Stawell to leverage the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory project to benefit local students and the broader community," she said.
"The program being developed between the Dark Matter Centre and Stawell Secondary College will be in place for seven years, so this allows time for the activities to create real, long-lasting outcomes."
Education and Outreach Coordinator Jackie Bondell said she hoped the partnership and the proximity to potentially world-changing research, inspired an interest in science and physics among Stawell students.
"The program we are developing is likely to include several science incursions and an Artist-In-Residence Workshop. We are also keen to look at ways the Design Factory Melbourne might deliver an Innovation Workshop for Year 9 students in 2021".
Stawell Secondary College principal Carlos Lopaz said he had embraced the opportunity for students to benefit from the Centre’s work.
“The pioneering spirit of the dark matter endeavour may someday reveal many of the deepest secrets in our universe and we are thrilled to participate and form part of the education program,” Mr Lopaz said.
“We believe that this project embodies the true meaning of science though courage and determination. Humble Stawell is currently the port of departure for a venture into the unknown, in a quest to extend our knowledge as human beings, and we are thrilled to be part of this ride.
“Our students (and our community) will benefit greatly from this association and hope to use the educational experiences as a way to promote the importance of the scientific process and develop a close relationship with the team. We are confident that our engagement with the Dark Matter Centre will help promote the importance of curiosity and inquiry in the context of major developments in the field of physics world-wide.”
L- R: Back row: Education and Outreach Coordinator Jackie Bondell; Stawell Secondary College teacher Nick Oliver
Front Row: Stawell Secondary College teacher Emma Gibson; Chief Operating Officer Amanda Western
Photo credit: SSC student Holly Graveson