WAFTUS

WAFTUS is a Community of Schools Scientific Research Project that involves Wilkins Public, Ashfield Public, Fort Street High, Tempe High, Summer Hill Public and University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

After a year’s break due to COVID 19 Fort Street High School is participating in Term 2 WAFTUS (Science Challenge) with neighbouring primary and high schools.

In partnership with the Inner West Community of Schools, 20 Year 10 students from Fort Street High school and 10 Year 10 students from Tempe High school will visit the local primary schools and act as mentors to the students from years 3 to 4 as they carry out scientific investigations.

This event provides the high school students with the opportunity to develop and refine both their scientific understanding and leadership skills.

The training session for the high school students (mentors) was on Friday, March 26 at Fort Street High School from 9 am to 1 pm. We had many distinguished guests for the training session from local primary schools and UTS.

The highlight of the session was a speech from Professor Liz Harry from UTS. Professor Harry is a distinguished microbiologist who researches the ways that bacterial cells multiply, in order to develop novel antibiotics, including treatments based on natural products such as honey. She talked about her career in Science and the importance and impact of scientific research.

During morning tea students were able to talk to Professor Harry and other guests and ask questions.  This also allowed the students from both high schools to meet and talk. After morning tea the guests left Fort Street and the high school students participated in a workshop for scientific investigations. The day was a success and the students feel confident to act as mentors to the primary school students. The program starts on Wednesday, April 28 and will conclude on Thursday June 24.

Ms Jamble (Science Faculty)