The University of Newcastle, Australia

More than 1300 Year 12 students from Newcastle, the Central Coast and Mid North Coast will this week gain practical experience of their HSC science syllabus at the University of Newcastle's ninth ExperimentFest.

Determining the amount of sulphate in lawn food and the levels of phosphoric acid content in cola drinks, working out the flight path of a fast moving object, investigating magnetic levitation using superconductors and measuring oxygen saturation in blood are just some of the scientific challenges on the program.

ExperimentFest began in 2002, giving students the opportunity to improve the knowledge of their science syllabus using a hands-on approach for selected experiments and concepts.

This year for the first time biology experiments will be held on the Central Coast. ExperimentFest has also been extended to the Mid North Coast with 60 students from Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Tuncurry and Taree participating in physics experiments.

ExperimentFest is organised by the University's Faculty of Science and Information Technology and supported by the Department of Education and Training.

Photo opportunities:

Physics, chemistry and biology activities will be running from 9am - midday and 12.45pm - 3.45pm at the following times and locations:

• The University of Newcastle Callaghan campus: Monday 21 June to Thursday 24 June.
• The University of Newcastle Central Coast campus: Wednesday 30 June and Thursday 1 July.
• Great Lakes College Tuncurry (Mid North Coast): Saturday 26 June. 9am - midday only.