A World of Opportunities

Nobel Laureate Professor Brian Schmidt gave a fascinating and inspiring presentation to all boys in Years 8, 9 and 10 last Friday morning. Professor Schmidt's presentation left the boys pondering the vastness of the universe, the opportunities that lie before them and the importance of their learning journey. Professor Schmidt's final message was that our future is not fixed. The fun and joy in life comes from the journey, being absorbed in the moment and in discovery. The end point, in Prof Schmidt's case winning the Nobel Prize, is not the fun part. This was a message all in attendance took away, not only the boys.

Professor Schmidt has a strong connection with two Old Scotch Collegians who are now leaders in the field of astronomy. When asked if he would be able to fit a presentation at Scotch College into his busy schedule he responded with, "how could I not come?"

Scotch College School Dux 1957, Prof. Ken Freeman is an Australian astronomer and astrophysicist who is currently Duffield Professor of Astronomy in the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Mount Stromlo Observatory of the Australian National University. He received the Prime Minister's Prize for Science in 2012.

Scotch College School Dux 1964, Prof. Garth Illingworth is a Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of California Observatories, Lick Observatory, Santa Cruz CA.

Professor Schmidt spoke not only of his contribution to the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe, but also of the possibilities that lie ahead for all of us. For our boys, the opportunities in Science and Technology in our home state of WA are world class. For example, just 10 minutes up Stirling Highway in Nedlands boys in the Enrichment programme have recently visited the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research where astronomers and engineers are about to take the greatest step yet in astronomy through the Square Kilometre Array project. Supercomputers are being built in Perth to process that vast amount of data being gathered and some of the greatest minds are moving to Perth to work on this and a number of other leading international projects.

Our boys are in the perfect place at the perfect time. They are on the threshold of the greatest period of scientific discovery and much of this work is happening on our doorstep in Perth. Prof. Schmidt's presentation served to raise awareness, inspire boys to be inquisitive and encourage the study of Science and Technology.

Professor Schmidt's visit to Scotch is part of a guest speaker programme that this year has already seen Prof. Barry Marshall (Nobel Prize in Medicine, 2005) and Corporal Mark Donaldson VC share their inspiring stories.

Rob McEwan