Students at Margaret River Senior High School (MRSHS) recently welcomed two leading scientists from the fields of forensics and brain chemistry as part of a series of lectures for the school and wider community.
Earlier this month Professor Simon Lewis presented his talk ‘The Many Murders of Harold Shipman’ to a group of around 80 attendees.
During the presentation, Professor Lewis demonstrated how forensic science was used to convict English doctor Shipman, who was found guilty of killing around 215 of his patients.
MRSHS Science teacher Andrea West said around 90 Year 9 students attended another lecture with Professor Lewis the following day.
“Professor Lewis discussed how forensics were used to solve a particular kidnapping,” Ms West said.
“This concentrated on finger print analysis and fibre identification; both of these forensic processes are taught to the Year 9 students in Term 4 as part of the curriculum.”
The Bayliss Youth Lecture, an annual event held at the University of WA and Curtin University, offers the insight of a prominent scientist in the academic community.
Dr Mark Hackett, a lecturer in analytical chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at Curtin University was chosen as the Bayliss lecturer for 2017.
“While this lecture is conducted in Perth, this year Margaret River SHS was able to secure this lecture to be presented to our students,” Ms West said.
Dr Hackett spoke to over 120 upper school Chemistry, Physics and Human Biology students along with selected Year 10 students, discussing the background of his work in investigating the particular brain chemistry that causes Alzheimer’s disease.
Ms West said Dr Hackett was an entertaining speaker and kept the students enthralled with tales of exciting destinations and experiences from throughout his career.
“Mark was able to present a ‘real life’ scientist’s view, and talked about how his research failed to prove what he was hoping to, that modified iron in the brain caused the Alzheimer’s,” she said.
“He explained that a negative result was still a result, and that he had to now look at other aspects of the brain chemistry, re-think his original experiment and try again.
“It was a really valuable lesson for our students.”
“I would also like to send our thanks to the Margaret River Lions Club who funded a very generous support and to Cookies Galore for the catering also.”
The school will again host the Bayliss Youth Lecture in 2018 after securing the event for another year.
