This year is already shaping up to be very exciting for Year 12 Bunbury Catholic College student Mali Hart who has been chosen in a team of four to represent Australia at the prestigious International Earth Science Olympiad.
On the eve of her stage debut as Bert in the practically perfect ‘Mary Poppins — a Broadway Musical’, Mali is pleased that after attending a prestigious invitation-only summer school in Canberra in January, she is on her way to the Olympiad being held in Italy in August.
Mali is the first student from our College, and the first student from Western Australia in at least a decade, to be chosen for the Australian team going to the International Earth Science Olympiad. This is an academic achievement of the highest order and we are proud that Mali is letting her abilities shine through.
The 17-year-old student is down-to-earth about her success, saying the summer school was an incredible experience, exploring geology — her favourite area of Earth Science — along with climate modelling, astronomy, palaeobiology and more.
“The two-week Summer School course was highly intensive, with 8–10-hour days, field trips, and a final 5-hour exam,” Mali said. “To be selected for the international team, I was judged on my academic ability and my ability to work efficiently with others.
“I consider myself extremely lucky to have been selected from the 24 other equally capable and intelligent students to attend the International Earth Science Olympiad and represent Australia. I am particularly drawn to the field because, as the summer school mentors eloquently put it, “Earth Science is just all the other sciences in a trench coat.”
“To become a skilled Earth scientist, you must have a strong foundation in chemistry, physics and biology, as each discipline contributes to understanding Earth’s complex systems.
“The Olympiad in Turin will be exciting and challenging. I will be collaborating with students from around the world — who may or may not speak English — during a field excursion, completing extensive exams and putting together a final presentation for the judges.”
Congratulations Mali, we know you will be a wonderful ambassador for Australia!
