Biosignatures: Characterising Exoplanets with Spectroscopy, a Year 12 Chemistry Depth Study

The Year 12 Depth Study ‘Biosignatures: Characterising Exoplanets with Spectroscopy’ aims to engage students in a unique application of spectroscopy – the ability to detect life on exoplanets. This is an unusual yet compelling application of spectroscopy which will motivate a now crucial component of the new HSC Syllabus. This depth study consists of online lesson plans and resources, suggested assessments and a capstone excursion to the UNSW Chemistry laboratories.

In this capstone excursion, students will engage with authentic scientific experiments in a hands-on experiment where they will use UV-visible spectrometers to investigate the composition of sample “planets”, as well as have the opportunity to engage directly with researchers to discuss science, university and career.

This depth study links with a popular worldwide current research topic, including by UNSW researchers, and thus inherently links research with teaching. Further, the depth study is designed to bridge the gap between high school and university science skills with an introduction to university data analysis using information technology tools, independent research components, scaffolded “Speaking to a Scientist” sessions and a scientific debate. The ‘Biosignatures: Characterising Exoplanets with Spectroscopy’ depth study is a way to encourage passion in your students, skill development and provide authentic information about university life and scientific career paths.

For further details, please see documents here, including Teacher Rationale, Online Lessons Outline and Detailed Brief.

Ticket pricing and refund policy

Tickets are $25 each; this covers the costs of hiring demonstrators in a safe and effective student to staff ratio for the day's activities and enables us to deliver this activity to as many students as possible. If the ticket price is an issue for your students, please contact l.mckemmish@unsw.edu.au to discuss partial or full scholarships.

UNSW Chemistry will be in contact with the ticket buyer to arrange payment. Teachers attending the workshops with their students may attend free of charge.

Tickets cancelled before Monday 25 November will receive a $20 refund. No refunds will be issued for tickets cancelled after Monday 25 November.

For more information or if you experience difficulties booking your students, please contact l.mckemmish@unsw.edu.au. Additional dates at the end of November and early December may be available upon request for large groups subject to lab and staff availability.