The event is a Science breakfast for girls in Years 10 to 12 at which they will hear Dr Amanda Karakas.
Dr Karakas will speak on 'Stars as chemical element factories'.
Abstract:
Where did the elements come from? It turns out that stars are giant furnaces that make heavier elements from lighter ones. Deep in the centre of stars where it is incredibly hot and dense, stars will fuse together Hydrogen (H) to create Helium (He). Once stars have enough H at the centre, He will start fusing to make Carbon (C) and so on. Through these reactions elements such as Fe, Ni and Co can be made. However not all stars will make the same elements it depends on the amount of mass that a star is born with. The reason is that the amount of mass determines how hot and dense the star is, and how it will 'die'.
My research focuses on using the laws of physics to make computer models of stars, by following their lives from birth to death, and then determining what elements they make.
In this talk I will start with the story of our own Sun before describing how stars of different birth masses die and what elements they make. I will finish with an overview of where all of the chemical elements in the Universe come from.
Students will be seated at tables with students from other schools. At each table there will be two or three women either in various stages of a science or engineering career or still studying at university. Over breakfast, the students can query them about their life and work.
Cost: $15 per student. First teacher is free, extra teachers at $15 each.
When making a booking: If a teacher is making the booking and plans to accompany the students, they should enter their own details as the 'First teacher'. If this is left blank, then the system will assume they are not coming.
Discount Available: Schools with a low ICSEA value can apply for a discounted fee of $5 per student by emailing Vicphysics. A response will be supplied by return email. If the discounted fee is confirmed for the school, the email will include a code which can be entered when making the booking. Please note: There is a limited pool of funds for this subsidy so schools should seek confirmation quickly.
Numbers: There is a limit of a maximum of 6 students per school. Extra places may be offered closer to the day.