AOS News - The Australian Optical Society - Macquarie University

Optics in the Science andEngineering ChallengeAOS News Volume 25 Number 1 2011by John Holdsworth, JohnO’Connor and Terry BurnsThe Science and Engineering Challenge had its beginnings in the desireto change school students’ perceptions of science and engineering byovercoming misconceptions about the way scientists and engineers actuallywork. Through The Challenge (as it is known), students see the practical side of thesedisciplines which they would not usually experience in their school environment.The Challenge aims to inspire Year 10 students to consider a future career in scienceand engineering and to choose to study maths, physics and chemistry in year 11and 12. This was, and still is, seen as critical in the preparation of future physicalscientists and engineers.Initially the brainchild of Bob Nelson andJohn O’Connor, University of Newcastle,to promote student recruitment into thefaculties of Science and Engineering,The Challenge operated for a few yearsonly within the University of Newcastle’scatchment area (Coffs Harbour-Gosford-Gunnedah-Dubbo). In 2004 TheChallenge went nationwide with thesupport of the Department of Innovation,Industry, Science and Research (DIISR),and other supporters including RotaryAustralia, the Department of Education,Science and Technology (later Departmentof Industry, Innovation and ScienceResearch), Engineers Australia, TheElectric Energy Society of Australia,Energy Australia, and the Farrell FamilyFoundation. The Challenge now operatesthroughout the country in cooperationwith over 30 Universities, sponsors and, ofcourse the fantastic support of local Rotaryclub volunteers.In 2003 it was decided to introduce anoptical activity to the Challenge.All potential Challenge activities haveto meet several demanding criteria: theproposed activity has to be challenging andhas to convey the excitement of somethingnew and different; it also has to survivetransport in the back of crowded vansto far-flung localities; it must be easy toset up and operate; it must have multipleFigure 1. The Confounding Communications equipment comprising two ‘light boxes’, fibreoptic cables and fittings. (Not shown: A small portable screen to separate the team into twogroups.)25