Orange High School student Danny Burton and Molong Central School student Josh Dowler are among 13 year 11 students from across Western NSW to be awarded a Victor Chang School Science Award.
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The prestigious awards, which will be presented this month, are for students who show promise in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and continue to challenge themselves in the classroom.
The awards are named after the late cardiac surgeon and pioneer of modern heart transplantation, Dr Victor Chang, and celebrate gifted students and foster growth in scientific studies.
Molong Central School head science teacher Terry Bruton nominated Josh for the award and said he had also been accepted to attend the Nation Youth Science forum.
“[Josh] studies physics and chemistry and has been top of his class,” Mr Bruton said.
“He is a dedicated student who has a real interest in the sciences and is a great role model.”
Orange High School head science teacher Peter Shea said Danny is studying chemistry, physics and biology and is one of the top three students at the school in all three subjects.
“I was surprised, grateful and really just overwhelmed that I’m actually being acknowledged for excelling in science,” Danny said.
“I like chemistry a fair bit, [it’s] very interesting.”
We’ve got such a proud history of discovery and it’s through students like these, that the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics will continue to flourish in Australia.
- Dr Alastair Stewart from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
However, he said his main interest is in insects and he would like to work in the entomology field.
Dr Alastair Stewart from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute said by guiding and encouraging the students to consider a career in STEM, the legacy of Australian discovery would become stronger.
“We’ve got such a proud history of discovery and it’s through students like these, that the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics will continue to flourish in Australia,” he said.
“As a scientist you not only contribute to building knowledge and understanding, but you’re also a driver in economic, environmental, health, social and technological advances.”
The winners will be included on a tour of the Victor Chang Institute, and have the opportunity to learn first-hand from world-renowned scientists.
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