In celebration of National Science Week, local students had the opportunity to take part in a virtual question and answer with one of Australia's favourite science authorities, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki.
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With qualifications in science, maths, engineering, medicine and surgery Dr Karl has been at the forefront of science education for decades and is well known for his unique ability to make science relatable and engaging.
Students from Griffith Public, Parkview Public and MRHS asked everything from chemical reactions, dark energy, favourite experiments, space, science in movies, human anatomy and more.
Year 8 student at MRHS, Charlize Dunbar had the opportunity to speak to Dr Karl herself, asking him why people couldn't see air and told The Area News that she was very surprised by his answer.
"I love science and doing experiments so this was very fun to be involved in" Miss Dunbar said.
"When I asked my question I did not expect the answer to be so complicated!
It turns out that we can see air, however there has to be a certain amount of air for it to become visible."
According to Dr Karl, whilst air may look invisible, it is a mixture of gases with many small molecules that are far apart.
This then means that wavelengths of light may pass by these molecules without hitting them, however when these wavelengths do bump a molecule, it absorbs colour and scatters which subsequently means that the more air there is, the more chance there is of us being able to 'see' it.
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The special event was an initiative of the STEM Industry School Partnerships Program (SISP) which is currently being delivered to partner primary schools by the Murrumbidgee Academy of STEM Excellence.
Ian Preston, Deputy Principal of the Virtual STEM Academy at the Murrumbidgee Regional High School (MRHS) said that the event was a great example of the quality of STEM experiences that are delivered through the SISP program.
"At Murrumbidgee Regional High School we ran a competition through the science faculty for students to ask a question of Dr Karl," Mr Preston said.
"The best questions were then submitted."
Fingers crossed Dr Karl can visit the Murrumbidgee one day soon, and see all the wonderful STEM learning happening in the local community.
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