Science Circus takes science to remote homes »

Students from The Australian National University (ANU) have taken to the School of the Air to help promote science to primary school students in remote and isolated areas. The event at the Hay School of the Air was part of the Shell Questacon Science Circus tour of regional Australia, featuring students completing a Masters of Science Communication Studies program at ANU. Engaging a group of students by satellite and video, and making music to help them understand the science behind vibrations, was a new challenge for Lee Constable and Jirana Boontanjai, who are part of the 15 member science circus. "It was really fun and different because we were performing to a camera," Jirana said. "Unlike a live school show, you can't always see the students' immediate reaction to know if you need to go over something more than once." In the studio Jirana, Lee and Hay School of the Air teacher Kate Murphy made musical instruments using everyday items from around the home. "Our demonstration revolved around explaining the science behind vibrations, how they occur and how you can make loud and soft sounds and replicate it at home," Jirana said. "We were teaching them how to test and try things out.