1. www.coecxs.org Sudoku Project Emily Cvetanoski Santa Maria College Introduction The project is about using the method of iteration and applications of physics to solve real world problems. It is important to investigate this area of science as there are a lot of real world applications and potential. At first I expected physics to be a lot of maths and very hard. Aim/Motivation Our aim was to create a Sudoku board that replicates the process that is used to explain diffraction. We did this by using the method of iteration to solve Sudoku problems. Scientists are motivated to investigate this area as there is potential and knowing more about this can give scientists greater knowledge about this area of science. How is this project related to a real world problem? This project is related to real world problems because without this, the DNA structure wouldn’t have been discovered. How has being part of GTP changed my appreciation for physics? Being a part of the Growing Tall Poppies program my appreciation for physics has changed. I now know that physics is not only just mathematics, there is a lot of logic involved in physics and it is also very interesting. It has widened my knowledge of what physics is like and I am now considering picking it as a year 12 subject. Although I might not continue after year 12, I think physics is a good subject to choose in year 12. How has our understanding of science, scientists and career opportunities changed through this experience. Relate to the work that you have experienced in the lab or the department. My understanding of science, especially physics has increased greatly because of this experience. I know that studying science does not mean that I have to go into the workforce into the science field, but that I can go into a lot of other fields too. Conclusions Overall, the GTP program has been a very rewarding experience for me. I have enjoyed learning about physics and the program has widened my knowledge. I may pick physics in year 12 but I don’t think that I will continue after year 12 as I prefer biology and chemistry. I do enjoy physics and think that it is very interesting and enjoy it. Acknowledgements - University of Melbourne Physics Haydn, Olivia, Eroia Barone-Nugent, Harry Quiney - The Growing Tall Poppies Science Partnership Program Reflection about the job opportunities that physics can open up for me. -Teachers- Software developers -Marketing- Business -Nanotechnology- Health sciences -Engineering- Astronomy How important is it to know the types of jobs you can follow to the subject choices you make? Although it is important to pick subjects that are relevant to the job you want to do, it is still good to pick subjects in which you are interested in. The Australian Synchrotron Ripple Tank diffraction pattern Diffraction Patterns of laser light through different size slits Briefly describe what you did and how. How was working with scientists different from the usual investigation and inquiry you do at school? What data did you collect and what did it mean What we did was more hands-on than what science at school is like. There are a lot more practical components than what there is at school and the practical components are harder than the ones we do at school. Sudoku Project Emily Cvetanoski, Jacinta LiDonni, Millie Kustra, Hayley Turnham, Tina Wu, Isha Patel Challenging Stereotypes of what I thought physicists were like Male vs female stereotypes The majority of famous physicists are male, however there is a small percentage of famous female physicists. When talking about physicists, it is usually thought of to be male physicists rather than female physicists. Can I identify with physicists and physics? Physicists are not always how they are portrayed to be on television shows. Physicists are normal people who have in interest in physics and are not like the stereotypes. Do I think I am able to do physics, am I capable? Yes, I think I am able to do physics. Over the past few days I have been able to see how physics has real world applications that are useful. Has it changed my mind about studying physics or staying in physics studies? Yes, this has changed my mind about studying physics. I was always told that physics was very difficult and involved lots of maths but these past few days has made me see that physics isn’t all maths and is very logical.