Tannum Sands student Jennifer Mercer tests a toad's heart during Siemens Science Experience.About 40 Year 10 students from high schools throughout Central Queensland were on campus in Rockhampton last week to take part in hands-on engineering, science and health activities as part of the Siemens Science Experience.

The 3-day event from Wednesday to Friday (January 23 - 25) attracted students from Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Mt Morgan, Tannum Sands, Blackwater, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Biloela and from the School of Distance Education.

Some of the activities included: Bridge Construction: designing and building a bridge to hold the most weight possible; Tone Generator: building a computerised tone generator; Biology of Insect Flight: students learn the art of 'wing mounting' -- a technique used in the study of moths and butterflies; Heavy Breathing and Sweaty Bodies: students participate in various activities to test physical parameters; Spreading Disease: students participate in a study to show how easily diseases can be spread from one human to another; and Physicology and Pharmacology of the Heart: testing a toad heart with different drugs.

Event coordinator Amelia Tomlinson said by participating in the experiments the students were now better informed about career options in the sciences area.

CQU and Siemens have hosted the event for the past 12 years enabling local year 10 students to investigate the world of science, meet other like-minded students and enjoy a university experience.

Theodore State School's Jessica Johnston is deep in thought about the wonders of science.
Mikala Maloney (St Ursula's College) and Rebecca Gallehawk (Yeppoon State High School) thought they would make very 'cool' scientists.
Tannum Sands students (back) Adrian Jess, Jennifer Mercer, (front) Jacob Johnston, Mish Gostevsky and David Vaughan enjoyed their science experience in Rockhampton last week.