20 > Head Master’s Bulletin | 13 May 2016 www.trinity.nsw.edu.au

MATHEMATICS CLUB MATTERS

MATHEMATICS CLUB MATTERS COMPETITION

It was pleasing to see there were many submissions to and much interest in the problems in Bulletin II from both Middle School and Senior School boys interested in experiencing Mathematics. Every correct solution will go into the draw for the chance to win a major prize at the end of each term.

Congratulations to last week’s winners, Christian Becvarovski (7Ar) and Oshin Vats (10Du) for having the first correct solutions drawn from the Middle School and Senior School boxes. Would they please see Dr Osman for their weekly winning prize.

The answer for the Middle School Problem was the least number of metres of additional fencing needed is 4 m. The answer for the Senior School Problem was the 75th term of the sequence is 86. Complete worked solutions for the Middle School and Senior School problem have been posted outside the Mathematics Department office.

REFLECTIONS FROM THE INTERACTIVE EVENT ON ASTRONOMICAL ADVENTURES IN ANTARCTICA

By Joshua Gereis (12Ar) and Victor Wu (12Mu)

On Wednesday, May 11, many parents and students gathered in the Science block to hear of truly astronomical figures and had an opportunity to study the night sky made up of billions of galaxies, and trillions and trillions of stars in a special Mathematics Club interactive event organised in conjunction with the UNSW Astronomy Outreach. The Mathematics Club took this opportunity to educate the boys in explaining the mathematics and science of the world in an enjoyable format. The event consisted of an interactive session on Astronomical Slide Show on Astronomical Adventures in Antarctica by Matthew Freeman and a telescope workshop presented by Shaila Akhter and concluded with a viewing on the roof of the Science block.

Matthew Freeman began his presentation by changing our perspectives on how we see the 100% clean environment that it is. Matthew spoke about how his research looks at molecular clouds, but more specifically how he looks at the individual carbon atoms as he studies the radiation they give off in terahertz and how it can only be measured in an environment free of pollution and water vapour, meaning Antarctica is his only opportunity. He brought to us the challenge he had to face in order to perform a routine check up on the HEAT (High Elevation Antarctic Terahertz) telescope he uses. He took us on his journey from Christchurch to McMurdo Station to the South Pole Station to finally Ridge A. We were especially grateful that Matthew could come and spend his time with us.

During the second half of the night, theory gave way to a more practical demonstration, with the boys and even a few excited parents participating in a telescope workshop facilitated by Shaila Akhter. We heard a brief history of telescopes, and then were enlightened on how lenses and mirrors refract and reflect light to create an image, and how they work in combination in a telescope. Mirrors and lenses were passed around the audience, so that we could see first-hand their effects and light. Among what was passed around was a parabolic mirror, which was an object of much amusement, as faces were distorted in spectacular ways: this time upside-down, that time bloated when near the mirror. She also showed us an interesting contraption which could measure the focal length of mirrors. We were then escorted onto the roof to view objects through a variety of telescopes. We were able to view Saturn, the ‘Jewel Box’ inside the Southern Cross and many other interesting astronomical objects. Overall, the fifth annual astronomy outreach night was extremely successful, and I’m sure many of the students who attended will be counting down the days till the next one. Hopefully, it has given the boys a new perspective and will allow them to see the sky not just from a scientific point of view, but also through the eyes of the custodians of this great land.

Our focus of this enrichment event is on introducing important concepts through the development of mathematical techniques that can lead to a developmental process of best practices for boys working and learning together. Some of the highlights of the night were the viewing of spectacular stars and planets which included Saturn, the Moon, the Jewel Box and Alpha Centauri as the brightest star in the southern constellation of Centaurus. The worksheet for the students and parents provided supplementary learning and awareness of the various Stars and asteroids around our universe. Congratulations to the following

Telescope Viewing SessionTelescope Workshop with Shaila Akhter

www.trinity.nsw.edu.au Head Master’s Bulletin | 13 May 2016 < 21

THIS WEEK’S PROBLEM FOR BULLETIN III:

1. Years 7-9: Middle School Problem due on Monday 16 May 2016

A box of tacks has a mass of 120 grams when full and 70 grams when half full. What is the mass of the box when it is empty? Please show working to justify your answer!

2. Years 10-12: Senior School Problem due on Monday 16 May 2016

A school’s service club has six members. Two of them help in the Main Office each school day. What is the greatest number of school days that can pass without repeating the same pair of students? Please show working to justify your answer!

Please place your name and House group with your submission by Monday lunch-time (1.10PM) at the Mathematics Department Office.

Dr Frederick Osman | MIC Mathematics Club

CAREERS

Trinity Grammar School Life Skills Careers Programme in Term II:

There are 4 Sessions in the Latham Theatre which are compulsory for all Year 12 students: Session 1: Career Avenues and Life After Trinity Session 2: Personal Profiling and Resume Building Programme Session 3: Scholarship Opportunities Programme Session 4: University Application and Admission Process

The optional lunch sessions in the Latham Theatre for students in (Years 10-12) will provide an academic and vocational focus to help with career advice, interaction education and training options.

Upcoming Trinity Lunch Career Education Sessions in Term II:

Monday 23 May 2016 Time: 1:10PM Venue: Latham Theatre UNSW Computing Roadshow Multi-media Presentation

Tuesday 24 May 2016 Time: 1:10PM Venue: Latham Theatre Career Opportunities of becoming an Actuary – Learn more about what actuaries do, where they work and how you can go about of becoming one!

Thursday 25 May 2016 Time: 1:10PM Venue: Latham Theatre Bond with Bond University – Be inspired discover why studying at Bond makes us so unique!

Friday 25 May 2016 Time: 1:10PM Venue: Latham Theatre Macquarie University – Presentation on Tertiary Courses – Be inspired discover why The Macquarie University is the place for you!

All Career Education details, timelines and events for students will be advertised on the Library Career Notice Boards and in this online Careers Section or alternatively come and see me.

prize winners from the Astronomy evening, Laurence Curtis (7Sc), Zach Gindy (7Ke), Ricardo Delgado (7St), Jon-Luc Shalala (7Sc), Joshua Liaw (8He), Justin Kim (8Ar), Flynn Innes (10Mu), Richard Lew (10Du) and Sanath Bala (10Ta) for having the correct solutions to the worksheet presentation on Astronomical Adventures in Antarctica. Would they please see Dr Osman for their winning prize.

At the end of the workshop the students were able to engage with the presenters, asking many questions and showing great enthusiasm and passion for both Science and Mathematics. The Club is looking forward to having future collaborative opportunities with the UNSW in providing the opportunities students with a range of mathematical abilities to access new ideas in promoting best practices in Mathematics for our boys.

It was a most interesting night, and surely we all came away with a renewed vision of our marvellous Universe, and certainly many of us found a new resonance in our School motto: Detur Gloria Soli Deo—Let the glory be given to God alone. Finally, The Mathematics Club would like to thank Matthew Freeman and Shaila Akhter from the University of New South Wales, Astronomy Outreach Team for their outstanding and stimulating presentations!

Event supported by the UNSW Physics Outreach Unit:

left: Shane Hengst, Shaila Akhter, Joshua Gereis (12Ar), Matthew Freeman and Dr Frederick Osman right: Telescope Viewing Session