St Patrick’s Marist student wins UNSW Women in Science 50:50 award

St Patrick’s Marist College, Dundas Year 12 student In Hee (Christy) Baek has won the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Women in Science 50:50 competition for 2015.

Christy developed a filter mask and skin lotion which reduces the level of micro-dust penetration. The UNSW Women in Science 50:50 award meant Christy also received $4,000.

Christy thanked St Patrick’s Marist College’s Leader of Learning for Science Michael McFarland for teaching her science for two years.

‘Thank you so much for teaching me science for two years and allowing me to develop my science skills,’ Christy said.

Michael said it was wonderful to see Christy’s success.

‘It is wonderful to see the success of Christy in this prestigious prize,’ Michael said. ‘The skill set that she has developed at St Patrick's Marist has certainly come to the fore.’

Christy developed a filter mask and skin lotion which reduces the level of micro-dust penetration. The UNSW Women in Science 50:50 award meant Christy also received $4,000.

The Faculty of Science at the University of New South Wales conducted a “New Innovators Competition”. This competition involved the promotion of innovative ideas for scientific and technological solutions to real-world problems. It follows the development of Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as an approach to learning.

The Judging Panel, comprised of the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of NSW, Professor Veena Sahajwalla of the University of NSW and four leading research and development representatives from the University’s program partners. The Judging panel considered the following criteria: Clear communication; Creativity; Feasibility; Innovation and Originality

Christie’s concept involved a filter mask and skin lotion which reduces the level of micro dust penetration. For her efforts Christie received a $4,000 prize as well as an industry immersion program. Congratulations go to Christie from her St Patrick’s Marist family.