Student gets a shot at International Science

2334Year 10 student, Alexander O’Shea, from Girton Grammar School, has been selected to attend the elite Australian Science Olympiad Summer School, having achieved an outstanding performance in the qualifying exam in August in which almost 4,000 students took part.

Alexander will join 91 of Australia’s most talented science students at this intensive residential program, who will be competing for a chance to represent Australia at the 2016 International Science Olympiads.

Headmaster of Girton Grammar School, Mr Matthew Maruff, said that this was the second year running that Girton had students selected for the elite summer school, held at The Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.

“This program provides a great opportunity for students to live on a University campus and have access to lecturers, tutors, laboratories and support staff to help hone their theoretical and practical science skills.

“Last year we had two students attend the summer school who were then selected to represent Australia.

“Each bought home a Silver medal from the International Science Olympiad, so a science culture is now well established in the school, at least in part, thanks to this program,” Mr Maruff said.

During the summer school, students learn the equivalent of a first year university course in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science or Physics. Based on their performance at the Australian Science Olympiad Summer School, seventeen students will be selected to represent Australia at the 2016 International Science Olympiads in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Physics.

“There is a slump in the number of students taking up science and seeing it through as a profession in this country. Teachers need ways of exciting young people beyond the classroom and this program gives students an authentic science experience.

“Alexander is to be commended on his selection for this program and for taking on intensive study over the summer holidays. We wish him well,” Mr Maruff said.