www.coecxs.org

Adrian Barbagallo, Nathan Doolan and Jadzia KearnanSHSC and PVCC

Introduction

What is the project about: Tomography and its applications in biology and IT

Tomography: a technique for displaying a representation of a cross section through a human body or other solid objects using x-ray or ultrasound. We learnt about the mechanisms of the inner ear and sound, we then learnt about cochlear implants and tomography's application in assisting with their installation.We were to understand the intricate techniques used in physics, biology and its application in other sciences regarding the implant. We thought physics was just maths but for the real world. We thought that it was just writing equations on a board like a mathematician, But we we’re wrong.

Aim/Motivation

Our aim was to further our knowledge on tomography, sound, the ear and implants. We did research on the resonance pipe to help us understand how resonance works. We learnt about how the closed pipes amplitude varies based on the distance the microphone is from the speaker.

How has being part of GTP changed my appreciation for physics?

Being part of GTP has changed our appreciation for physics by showing us the many different pathways and applications that physics can take. We have now learnt there are many career pathways that physics can take, as well as collaborating with many other different disciplines in science and the real-world applications of physics.

New Understanding

After this course we now all have a better understanding of physics and its contributions to science and society. We have learnt about the wide range of job opportunities that physics branches into. It is not just real world maths but it is the application of this maths to matter and energy.

Conclusions

Write your conclusion hereWe learnt that physics is the study of matter and energy and that it is an important part of science and can even merge with other areas of science. It is also an important part of moving forward as a society. This program has made us all more likely to continue with physics up to or past year 12 as it as taught us a lot about the possibilities of physics related careers, and also what physics encompasses and teaches us in the field of science.

AcknowledgementsPhysical Sciences departmentThe Growing Tall Poppies Science Partnership ProgramElana, Keith and Nick

Reflection about the job opportunities that physics can open up for me.Physicist, Nanotechnologist, Physics Teacher, Business advisor, Geologist, Forensic scientist, Material engineer etc.How important is it to know the types of jobs you can follow to the subject choices you make?It is important so that you can have a clear pathway into a career that you want for later in life.

The Australian Synchrotron

Cochlear Talk.On our first day we had Keith talk to us about tomography, sounds, the ear and implants. We discussed the basics of how sounds travels and then how an ear hears the sound. We then leant how a cochlear implant bypasses the biological mechanism of the ear. We then went on a tour around the physics building with Nick. We saw the CT room, 3-D printer, Observatory and the machine shop.

On the second day, we revisited the cochlear and investigated how frequency changes using resonance pipes. As the frequency increases the amplitude changed in the pipe. We know that it was a closed pipe as it has a lower amplitude.Briefly describe what you did and how. How was working with scientists different from the usual investigation and inquiry you do at school?What data did you collect and what did it mean

Cochlear 101

Cochlear 101

How is this project related to a real world problem?This project taught us a lot about understanding sound. This has applications in medicine, as the improvements and implantation of cochlear implants relies on our understanding of sound and how it is transmitted to the brain. Without this knowledge of sound, cochlear implants would not be a reality. Understanding how resonance affects structures helps to avoid catastrophes such as the Tacoma Narrows bridge collapse.

Challenging Stereotypes of what I thought physicists were like

Male vs female stereotypesWe thought it would be even gender wise, but we were surprisingly informed to find that it was about a 3 men to 1 women ratio.Can I identify with physicists and physics?We thought that they were just like you and I normal people. Do I think I am able to do physics, am I capable?We don’t know, but with practise and determination we believe that we could become physicists.Has it changed my mind about studying physics or staying in physics studies?We were very intrigued by the applications physics has. Physics to us is real world maths and has endless possibilities.

Medical Physics Of Cochlear Ear Implant