Science Snippets
Managing Wildfires – How NASA’s newest technology is helping fight fires worldwide.
While many think that NASA’s sole purpose is purely space exploration, their highly advanced technology innovations and programs provide extremely useful tools in helping a variety of other causes. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has recently become a member of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. This new partnership has opened up a variety of opportunities for the organisation to work with other government agencies and partners to learn more about the prevention and causes of wildfires.
“As wildfires become larger and more frequent, NASA is working to apply our scientific and technological knowledge toward this national challenge, and integral to our approach is forging collaborative partnerships,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. “Harnessing our Earth observation capabilities and cutting-edge technology in safe air operations, we are poised to make new connections that will bolster wildfire fighting efforts across the government.”
NASA’s approach to wildfire prevention involves a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond firefighting itself. The Wildfires program covers the entire cycle, addressing risks before a fire starts and managing the aftermath. Before a wildfire breaks out, NASA’s Earth-observing satellites monitor various factors such as soil moisture and vegetation maps to identify fire-prone areas, helping decision makers prepare. During active fires, real-time data from Earth observations provides crucial information for rapid response efforts, aiding in assessing the extent and impact of the wildfires on communities and the environment. Even after the flames are extinguished, the program continues to play a role by identifying areas at risk for floods, landslides, and water quality issues, assisting decision makers in supporting recovery and enhancing future resilience. NASA’s efforts to tackle wildfires not only show promise in preventing such disasters but also give hope for a future where their expertise can be used to address a variety of different environmental issues.
By Eve Tully (Year 11 UQ Science Ambassador)
Here is an introduction to five of our ten UQ Science Ambassadors for 2024. Profiles of our other ambassadors, Eliza Flanagan, Arabella Robinson, Sophie Freeman, Nyah Murphy & Lizzie Rosanowski will be shared in the next newsletter.
| Name | Senior Science Subjects studied | Interests |
| Bethany Van Hecke | Biology | I’ve always been super interested in medicine and health, and I’ve found that as I’ve progressed in high school I’ve really become interested in learning about things like genetics/heredity and infectious diseases. I love finding out what makes us up and what makes us who we are. I plan on exploring speech pathology as a career after school. |
| Sarala Scott | Chemistry, Biology and Psychology | Science has always been one of my favourite subjects at school and I like learning about how things are made. Biology is my favourite and I plan to do something along the lines of Vet or Zoology after school as I also love animals. |
| Ella McPhee | Biology, Chemistry | I would say science is one of my greatest interests. I love finding out how or why different processes happen and being able to understand what’s going on around me. The idea of evolution especially is interesting to me – how one thing could have come from another completely random thing. As of right now, there’s a million and one different careers I’d love to pursue after school, but something in medicine or zoology specifically would be super enjoyable I think. |
| Sarah Killen | Chemistry, Physics | I am studying Chemistry and Physics as my senior science subjects, and I think science is awesome because it’s everywhere. It’s fascinating to research and discover how things work and why things happen, on the biggest scales like the universe and planets, and the smallest scales like atoms (which make up everything so don’t trust them haha!). After school, I’d love to become a doctor, in particular a paediatrician because I love helping people and working with children. |
| Eve Tully | Chemistry, Physics | I’ve always had a particular interest in all of the sciences through 7-10. Going into senior I definitely considered doing chem, bio and physics because I liked them all so much but decided just to do my top 2. I find science so interesting and am always learning new facts that I would have never thought about before. I love how open science is and how many career options there are to pursue. A science career is definitely a part of my options for the future. |
It certainly promises to be another exciting year ahead in science with such an engaged and enthusiastic group of ambassadors. Each of them will be writing for the newsletter and working together to raise the profile of science in our community. If you are a member of our community and would like to support us in this endeavour, please get in touch with me (wmacdonald@stuartholme.com).
The Year 9 and 10 students enjoyed the Street Science Show on Tuesday morning where they observed liquid nitrogen and dry ice magic. The presentation also linked in to the effects of climate change highlighting the challenges the world faces today.
Upcoming events:
World Science Festival (World Science Festival Brisbane) has a great program of events running from the 15th – 24th March. There are many free events to enjoy from The hatchery: Turtle conservation experience to the City of Science at Southbank over the weekend.
Queensland Biology Winter School (Year 12)
14 – 15 June 2024
The UQ Year 12 Queensland Biology Winter School (12QBWS) will provide a deep dive into contemporary topics in genetics, phylogenetics, evolutionary biology and biochemistry and how biological disciplines are interconnected. Applications are open now and close on Friday 3 May 2024.
Queensland Biology Winter School (Year 11)
1 – 2 July 2024
The UQ Year 11 Queensland Biology Winter School (11QBWS) will provide a deep dive into contemporary topics in biodiversity, cell, animal and plant physiology, biophysics, and how these biological disciplines are interconnected. Applications are open now and close on Friday 3 May 2024.
Engineer Your Future QUT – Event – High school engagement
An engineering experience day at QUT that will open your eyes to a possible career path in Engineering. QUT are partnering with The Engineering Link Group and Engineers Australia to deliver hands-on experiences for Years 9 to 12 students to showcase engineering as it really is – exciting, challenging and world-changing.
During this full day experience students will participate in two hands-on workshops facilitated by QUT Ambassadors and real engineers. Students will also have an opportunity to connect with professional engineers over lunch and during the workshops.
Kind regards,
Ms Wendy McDonald
Leader of Learning – Science
© Stuartholme School 2018 CRICOS No. 00524E | Contact us | Visit website | Newsletter by Look Education