Three days of chemistry chaos, maggots and murder and cool physics

Jan 13, 2005

Did you know that one tiny maggot can determine the cause of a person's death?

Not only that -- a maggot can also reveal the time of death, identify any poisons or drugs present in a deceased body and even help track the movement of vehicles used in crimes and the possibility of child abuse.

It was an interesting, if not slightly queasy, lesson for a group of Year 10 students today (13 January) that participated in one of the many activities available as part of the Siemens Science Experience held at the University of Wollongong this week.

The program, managed nationally by the Science Schools Foundation Inc and supported by Siemens Ltd, is a fun and informative annual science education program that involves three days of hands-on science activities for students entering Year 10 in 2005 and aims to introduce students to as many aspects of science, engineering and technology studies at UOW as possible, with the hope that students will continue these studies at high school and eventually at university.

This morning (13 January), students participated in an activity entitled 'Forensic Entomology: How Insects Solve Crime', led by forensic entomologist, Dr James Wallman, from UOW's School of Biological Sciences.

“Forensic science is extremely popular these days,” said Dr Wallman. “We've made this a hands-on experience that the students can learn from, and be fascinated by.”

“What the students are often surprised by is just how important insects are in relation to forensic science.”

Dr Wallman pointed out that human DNA can even be extracted from a maggot's guts for identification purposes and then gave the students a hypothetical murder case to study, where the presence of maggots was being used to estimate the time of death.

Students such as Mark Harlor from Shoalhaven High were fascinated to learn about the vital role insects play in crime scene investigations.

“It's been really interesting, I've learnt so many new things. I'll never look at a maggot the same way again!” he said.

With 'maggots and murder' unfolding in one laboratory, there was 'chemistry chaos' in another where students participated in a 'crazy concoction of chemical creations'.

Students were able to synthesise aspirin as well as make slime and study spinach. Other activities included measuring the temperature of absolute zero and studying earth and environmental sciences.

During the three-day science program, students also went on bushwalks and were given the chance to visit the Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium and BlueScope Steel.

Students travelled from all over NSW and as far as Queensland to attend the event and had the chance to meet and interact with other interested science students.

Melissa Thompson, from UOW's Faculty of Science, organised the event and was very pleased with its outcome, saying that she received excellent feedback from the students.

“They have all been really enthusiastic and quite passionate about science. They were a really cohesive group who were very interested in participating and learning,” she said.

“The Siemens Science Experience is always a great way to give any student who is interested, a hands-on approach to the wonders of science.”

-RP