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It's all about the Science... |
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Ever wondered why a society, whose aim is to promote Science, is interested in a 150 year old historical event? It's all about the science...
The Royal Society of Victoria (RSV) is the same organisation that sent Burke and Wills off on their journey in 1860, 150 years ago. Then called the Victorian Exploring Expedition, it was planned as as a serious scientific exploration of the hitherto unexplored centre of Australia. The Expedition was sent to find out what was out there in Terra Incognita, and not only to explore this new environment, but to report back on their findings, to bring back samples of flora and fauna, to take measurements and make observations. The tragic ending has obscured the scientific nature of the expedition, and the amount of serious science that was carried out.
The RSV's contribution to the wider Commemoration Program plans to rectify that with a series of events and projects to showcase "the science of Burke and Wills". There are two research projects which will produce fascinating new books. The Society is extending the reach of its community lectures and schools programs into country Victoria through its "Science along the Track" program and its collaboration with Bug Blitz. Its biennial Young Science Ambassadors program has a Burke and Wills theme in 2011. And also in 2011, the RSV will stage an unofficial coronial enquiry which will use modern forensic science to shed new light on the causes of the deaths of the explorers. More details are given for each of these activities below. |
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Swan Hill, 10-11 September 2010
This important new Royal Society of Victoria program brings leading scientists from Melbourne to a regional centre, where they participate in three activities:
"Why do Science?" - visit to a secondary school to talk to students about why they chose science as a career, and about their current research activities
"Past and Future Science" - public lecture open to all the community. The lecture will commence with a view of science 150 years ago, when Burke and Wills set out, followed by talks from scientists working at the leading edge of scientific research today - for example, Dr Bill Birch (pictured) talking about geological discoveries since the Expedition passed through Swan Hill.
"Meet a Scientist" - luncheon or dinner providing an opportunity for students, parents and other members of the community to meet scientists and discuss their work in a more informal atmosphere. Visiting scientists will be joined by locally-based scientists for this event.
Download a program for more information. |
July-August 2011
Although a Commission of Enquiry was held at the end of 1861 to investigate the outcome of the Expedition, no coronial enquiry was undertaken at the time to determine the exact cause of the deaths of Burke and Wills. A coroner will stage a formal enquiry (unofficial, as the deaths occurred more than 100 years ago) in mid-2011, after the anniversary of their deaths. This will be a full forensic investigation into the various theories that have been put forward as to why and how they died, with evidence taken from witnesses in the form of historians who will refer to the extensive records of the expedition, and technical experts possessing the latest medical and scientific knowledge. The Royal Society of Victoria is an active participant in the organisation of this event. |
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Young Science Ambassadors |
15 - 25 January 2011
The Royal Society of Victoria’s Young Science Ambassadors program involves selected students participating in an intensive week long science program in Melbourne, designed to expose young science students to a range of scientific studies and scientific careers. Each student ambassador is given an understanding of science courses and rewarding scientific careers. On return to their schools they take on an ambassadorial role and talk to their junior forms and the wider school community about their experiences in the program with a view of encouraging students to consider the study of school science subjects and ultimately follow a career in the sciences.
The program for 2011 will be conducted in Melbourne from 15 to 25 January. The theme for the 2011 program is “The Sciences of the Burke and Wills Expedition”. The program exposes students to scientific activities in a variety of organisations in Melbourne, including CSL, CSIRO, Melbourne Water, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, the University of Melbourne, the Synchrotron at Monash University, and the Herbarium at the Botanical Gardens.
In addition to participating in this intensive science program in Melbourne, students will travel to outback Australia to study the sciences which were part of the Burke and Wills Expedition 150 years ago, and to examine the role of science in the outback environment today. They will make a field trip to Broken Hill, the nearest large town to Menindee, where the Supply Party of the Burke and Wills Expedition were camped from October 1860, and from whence they departed for Cooper Creek in late January 1861. Activities in Broken Hill and the surrounding areas include learning about indigenous nutrition, navigation and astronomy, about mining, geology and geophysics, about inland river systems and irrigation, and visits to a Research Station and a cattle station.
On their return to Melbourne, the students attend the Australia Day reception at Government House as the finale to the program. |
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