#STEMLIKEAPATSGIRL 2021

On Saturday 21 August 2021, St Patrick's College Townsville will present the fifth annual #STEMLIKEAPATSGIRL Conference - the only event of its kind in North Queensland. It is a day devoted to empowering and engaging girls aged 10 - 15 in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The event is open to all girls from North Queensland and Far North Queensland aged 10 to 15 who have an interest in STEM. Entry is free, with morning tea and lunch provided. In 2021, the College will once again partner with leaders in Engineering, Mathematics, Science, including Marine Science and Sustainability, to deliver a jam-packed experience with hands-on activities and explosive workshops.

The workshop will replicate a Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Mission (HADR) and you will face key challenges when planning and executing this task.

There will be a focus on the immediate need to provide shelter, access to fresh water for consumption and medical facilities, as well as planning for the provision of this aid to the population in need.

A swift response to natural disasters is key in the affected area’s recovery and assists the population in returning to some form of normalcy post-incident. Can you meet this challenge?

NB: Counter-explosive dogs will be used in this workshop. Do not select this workshop if you are allergic to dogs or if you are scared of dogs.

This workshop places you in the role of a Combat Engineer. It will focus on honing your search capabilities on uncovering dangerous objects that may be placed in the ground by adversaries.

The workshop will explain the science and technology behind explosives that lie beneath the surface, how to detect them, how to interrogate and how to collect evidence.

Utilising science and technology, we can create a safe path for soldiers and civilians to walk upon. Will you be able to search and uncover these threats?

This workshop will help you understand the complex behaviours of turtles and sharks, such as:

• What biotic and abiotic factors affect the survival of sea turtle adults and babies?

• Sharks - friend or foe?

• Migration patterns and habits of whales, sharks, and turtles – where do they go, how do they do it and why do they migrate in the first place?

Human bones have been discovered in the outback. Your job is to provide the police with as much information about these bones as possible.

• What bones are present?

• Can you work out if they were an adult or child, a man or a woman?

• How old were they when they died?

• How tall were they?

• Did they die a natural or violent death?

This workshop will investigate just how much information our bones can tell us. We will explore the anatomy of bones, including their microscopic structure.

Have you ever had a blood sample taken? Or a COVID-19 test? Have you ever wondered what happens to your sample after it is collected? This workshop will take you behind the scenes of our healthcare system and into the world of the pathology laboratory.

Pathology testing is used by doctors to diagnose and monitor diseases in their patients. Around 70% of medical decisions made by doctors are based on pathology testing. This workshop will cover different disciplines within pathology, including:

• Blood Banking – providing blood products to critically ill patients

• Microbiology – identifying which microorganism is causing infection

• Chemical Pathology – monitoring electrolytes, hormones, drugs, and enzymes

• Haematology – the study of blood cells and diagnosis of leukemia and lymphoma.

A popular island and reef important to the local community is devastated by a cyclone. You are a Reef Ecologist brought in to help coordinate a swift response to this natural disaster. Your job is to implement appropriate recovery activities. Will you be able to prevent any further damage to one of the world’s greatest ecological miracles?

In this workshop, you will explore real-life applications to space science, future problem solving, and engineering innovations using the platform of rocketry and space science.

Our applied design and project-based STEM challenges require you to develop an understanding of Newton's Three Laws of Motion, forces, energy, engineering concepts and prototyping, design technologies, and science inquiry skills.

You will design, build and launch rockets made from sustainable technology.

You are a member of the Queensland Police Crash Unit Squad and have attended a crash scene involving two vehicles. One vehicle (Unit 1) has crashed into the rear of another vehicle (Unit 2). Your job is to carefully observe the scene, measure tyre marks, check the tyre friction marks left prior to impact, test the sobriety of the driver and ascertain whether Unit 1 was travelling the speed limit or speeding.

A menacing low is forming in the Coral Sea off Townsville, what is the potential impact for the community?

• When is it likely to impact?

• What can we do to prepare?

• Will people need to evacuate?

• Where will they go?

This workshop will investigate the characteristics, impacts, and effects of a Severe Tropical Cyclone on Townsville. You will look at ways to better understand cyclone risks and become better prepared and more resilient as a community.

How can we observe that which we cannot see? With a focus on working as a team to solve a series of mystery boxes, you will be asked to make observations, build evidence, and then apply both creative and critical thinking skills to solve your mystery box challenges.

This workshop will give you an insight into the world of forensic crime scene examination. You will learn from real crime scene examiners, about forensic evidence, such as fingerprints, blood, DNA, and shoe impressions, and the tools and techniques used to locate, detect, record, and collect evidence.

With your newfound skills, you will then enter a crime scene as a forensic examiner and test your skills. Will you find all the evidence? Do you have what it takes to be a crime scene examiner?

Event Venue

Saint Patrick's College, 45 The Strand, Townsville, Australia