As part of their International Baccalaureate (IB) program, students are required to conduct an Internal Assessment (IA) for each subject. In Physics, as with the other sciences, this involves conducting an extended laboratory investigation to produce a comprehensive formal report which is submitted for assessment.

Kelvin Du (12/ME) submitted an IA report of such high quality that we decided to enter it in the 2018 NSW Young Scientists Awards. The project entry was titled: ‘Does the addition of a humidity sensor reduce water related nuisance smoke alarms?’

Recently we received the fantastic news that Kelvin’s entry was awarded 2^nd place in the Scientific Investigation (Years 11-12) Physics category of the 2018 NSW Young Scientists Awards. Additionally, Kelvin’s work was then selected to represent Australia next May at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona USA.

Kelvin is no stranger to success in Science competitions. Last year he also won a prize in the NSW Young Scientists Awards for his project on hand dryers in public toilets before being selected as a semi-finalist in the BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards.

Such outstanding achievements demonstrate the powerful possibilities that arise when boys are provided with the opportunities and structures to explore areas of personal interest. We congratulate Kelvin on his wonderful achievements.

A copy of Kelvin’s project is on display in the College Library.

Mr Andrew Millar
Head of Science