Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2016

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GIRLS GRAMMAR OBSERVATORY AN AUSTRALIAN GIRLS SCHOOL FIRST

‘Astronomy compels the soul to look upward, and leads us from this world to another.’ — Plato, The Republic, 342 BCE.

BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL ANNOUNCED IN JUNE THE INTENTION TO CONSTRUCT A REMOTELY OPERATED ROBOTIC TELESCOPE AND OBSERVATORY AT MARRAPATTA, OUR MEMORIAL OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE AT IMBIL IN THE MARY VALLEY. THE PROJECT WILL HAVE A TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING IN SCIENCE. This school-based observatory will be the first in a girls’ school in Australia and reflects Girls Grammar’s leadership in exceptional scholarship and science education. The observatory will support Grammar girls in their studies of Astronomy as part of the Science curriculum in Years 7 and 10 and will also provide learning opportunities and applications across all year levels in Physics, Mathematics, ICT, Art and beyond. The observatory will enable girls to collect scientific data to support professional astronomical projects and academic research, fostering real-world scientific skills in the process. Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler said that with national conversations about science gathering pace in research and education literature as well as in the mainstream media, encouraging girls and women to pursue careers in scientific fields has become even more compelling. ‘It is wonderful that science appears to be having its moment in the sun. However, at Girls Grammar, we have a long history of guiding girls in their exploration of the disciplines of Science, Mathematics and Technology and so many have followed their ambitions to work in important scientific fields,’ Ms Euler said. ‘Girls are inspired and supported by dedicated teachers who continue to push the boundaries of traditional classroom spaces and encourage the application of knowledge in ways that ignite curiosity and passion for new discoveries in Science. The observatory will amplify and expand these exciting learning opportunities.’

Ms Euler has said that the broader impacts and benefits of the project will be far reaching. ‘The observatory will provide new opportunities to partner with universities, scientific and commercial organisations and the global scientific community, inspiring Grammar girls to pursue interesting paths and rewarding future careers.’ ‘It is an exciting and proud moment for the School and I acknowledge the visionary work of our former Head of Chemistry and Physics teacher, Dr Keith Treschman for his passionate energy and guidance in progressing the observatory plans to this point. Dr David Trappett, a future Grammar parent and amateur astronomer, has also provided wonderful support to this project.’ ‘It is very heartening when members of our community contribute in such important ways and lend specialist advice and support to projects that will have a profound impact on learning at the School.’ The observatory project will be funded through a generous gift of $100000 from the Parents and Friends Association with the remaining $100000 to be raised through fundraising. If this goal is met within 12 months, the School will unveil the new remotely operated robotic telescope and observatory at its celebration of thirty years of the Marrapatta Memorial Outdoor Education Centre in 2017.

If you would like to contribute to this exciting project that we hope will inspire and nurture the next generation of women scientists through awe- inspiring learning experiences, please contact

Ms Antonia Swindells via email, development@BGGS.qld.edu.au or telephone, +61 7 3332 1300.

SPRING ISSUE / 2016