Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2016

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STARMAN

Dr Keith Treschman guides Grammar girls as they observe the Transit of Venus in 2012.

AT THE AGE OF EIGHT, SCIENCE TEACHER DR KEITH TRESCHMAN WAS CAPTIVATED BY THE MAGNIFICENCE OF A BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF SATURN AND ITS RINGS. DECADES LATER, THIS PASSION HAS CULMINATED IN A PHD WHICH ARGUED THAT EINSTEIN’S GENERAL RELATIVITY THEORY WAS PREMATURELY ACCEPTED AND THAT THE 1922 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE ACROSS AUSTRALIA WAS CRUCIAL FOR ITS INITIAL APPROVAL. Formerly Head of Chemistry at Girls Grammar, Dr Treschman taught at the school for six years before his ‘retirement’ at the end of 2014 but is currently back teaching in the Science faculty. His contribution to Girls Grammar reaches far beyond the Science classroom. He has been a driving force behind extension programmes at the Rangakarra Recreational and Environmental Education Centre. When the School bought the property at Fig Tree Pocket, I suggested that it could also operate as an environmental centre. Having researched a list of 223 birds that potentially could be seen at the campus, I coordinated with the Technologies faculty who conducted a project with their classes to produce cards of each of these birds. These can now be seen on two posters at Rangakarra. The same is now happening with the 94 species of butterflies that could inhabit the location. A special planting of vines to encourage the reintroduction of the Richmond birdwing butterfly is in the planning phase.

The next project will provide suitable habitat for the six species of frog in the area with a solar-run noticeboard to provide the sound of each of these. It is envisaged that monthly lists will be compiled for the animals that are sighted. There are great projects available on this site for students with the prospect of original research.’ Amongst numerous career highlights, including Dux of Nudgee College, a Gold Medal for Excellence in Science Teaching from the Science Teachers Association of Queensland and his selection by NASA for a simulated Mars landing in remote Australia, Dr Treschman rates his most memorable moment at Girls Grammar as the 2012 Transit of Venus when all girls were given a pair of safety glasses to observe the Sun under his guidance. Dr Treschman’s entry to teaching was driven by a desire for others to share his love of learning and this has been a life-long passion. Preceding his PhD he started with a Diploma of Education and degrees in Science and Education. Even with two university degrees under his belt, his formal learning journey was still in its infancy. I wanted to know something about Economics, Politics and Geography and combined these in an Arts degree. Later, I completed a Masters in Education which had a focus on Mathematics. I also wished to pursue my passion in Astronomy so my Masters in Science was on starspots. I had not intended to continue to a PhD but once I found a topic in which I was interested, I committed to spending the last five years following this goal.’

GRAMMAR GAZETTE