03 Jul 2019
Year 11 students Elizabeth Legge and Ebony Nicholas have been selected in the University of Sydney International Science School (ISS) held over the July school holidays.
“Students are chosen because they have something special,” said Chris Stewart from the University of Sydney. “They clearly have a strong talent for science and have shown they have potential and passion,” he said.
Elizabeth and Ebony were selected from their cohort to apply for a spot in the prestigious school, something they have been looking forward to for years.
“We have never had two students selected for this program in one year,” science teacher Jasper Pengelly said.
“The fact that I was selected, I’m so happy and proud,” said Elizabeth.
“It’s a really good opportunity, it’s really hard to get in but it’s exciting,” said Ebony.
The ISS attracts world-leading researchers in science and engineering presenting to the top 140 students from Australia and Pacific, as well as the United Kingdom and America. Previous guests include Nobel Prize winners alongside up-and-coming researchers.
“Scientists who are experts in their field across the world are coming to talk to us,” said Elizabeth.
Students are treated to hands-on experiments, lab tours and workshops at the University of Sydney’s Camperdown campus.
“For many it’s a life-changing experience,” said Chris Stewart from the University of Sydney.
The girls are most looking forward to meeting like-minded students and learning about unfamiliar subjects and career paths.
“Any student coming joins a group of peers from around the world of the very best science minds,” Chris said.
“I’ve had my heart set on mechatronics engineering but I might change my mind about what I want to do,” Elizabeth said.
"I'm not sure what I want to do, but I think this will help me decide," Ebony said.
“I’m excited to see what people are actually doing in the science world,” Elizabeth said.
Familiar faces in the robotics scene at Camden Haven High School, Elizabeth says her application focused on her leadership in various fields.
“Being a senior member of the robotics team, I’m in a leadership role where I support younger students,” she said.
“When I do things I take on the role of a leader rather than someone who follows, which was a big part of my application” the science enthusiast said.
“It’s very fulfilling when I can help people,” Elizabeth said.
Her advice to younger students inspired by her achievements is to take on every opportunity.
“All through high school I have said yes to everything, almost to my detriment!” she said, “there’s so many things you can do, you can always find something to pursue.”
Elizabeth and Ebony say their love of science was nurtured through opportunities at Camden Haven High School.
“This school is amazing. It’s so great the amount of things I have been able to do,” Elizabeth said.
“Other schools – even private schools – don’t have the opportunities that our school is providing, which I really love,” Elizabeth said. “I love our school so much, it’s a great school.”
One of the girls’ proudest moments at school was winning the bridge building competition in Year 9. They took the bridge design to the Aurecon Bridge Building competition in Sydney, where they won the Efficiency Award out of over 100 bridges from across the state.
“I was so proud of our bridge and that achievement,” Elizabeth said.
She constantly pushes herself out of her comfort zone, saying it helps her to be a good role model.
“I think it’s important to have a role model that you can look up to and strive to be,” said Elizabeth. “I was trying to create myself as my own role model.”
Last year Elizabeth and Ebony were accepted into the Women in Engineering Conference in Sydney, Elizabeth says it was an awesome opportunity to see inspiring women in her field.
“Seeing all these women in really powerful influential positions, who started from where we are and worked their way up to be developing their own technologies and being leaders in science and technology,” Elizabeth said.
“It’s great to see that’s where you can go,” she said.
“There’s such a large percentage of females at our school doing science and robotics,” Elizabeth said.
She says she will be surprised by gender discrimination as she moves forward, and that it’s not something that would dampen her enthusiasm.
“Women supporting women,” she says is one of the reasons for increased female representation in STEM.
Although the time away at the ISS will impact on her ability to keep up with schoolwork, the students say they will be taking homework with them.
