Exploding metal, virtual reality goggles, dream time stories of the stars, mining for chocolate, building edible iron molecules with marshmallows and raspberry lollies and learning how mining impacts our lives through everyday products were just some of the highlights of the Port Hedland Science Fair.
The wide range of activities made for a high energy event and loads of fun for parents and children alike.
North Regional TAFE lecturer and PHIC Community Industry Forum Representative Joel Schreiber attended the Science Fair with his family.
“It was great to see PHIC at the event supporting and connecting industry with the community and education” he said.
PHIC Business and Community Manager Chantel Cullen said the PHIC cookies were a major draw card to the stall and PHIC representatives were on hand to help students navigate a quiz connecting everyday products with the minerals they are made from; it was the often the parents that took over.
“It was wonderful to see so many parents engaged in the quiz and helping their children to think through and identify which minerals are used to make which things around their home.”
In line with this year’s National Science Week theme of food, the students also got to show-off their mining skills at the PHIC stall with the hunt for chocolate eggs hidden in trays of red kinetic sand using a toothpick.
“Some students opted for the grid drilling technique, while other dragged the toothpick through the sand in lines. For others it was an all-out competition, with sibling rivalries resulting in a boots and all approach with toothpicks going in all directions in an effort to find the eggs first,” said Chantel.
“It was lots of fun.”
Congratulations to the winner of the PHIC why mining matters quiz. Samara Day took home the CAT Truck and has generously given the toy to her grandmother who is a primary school teacher, so her students can play with it at school.