Dr Katie Sizeland (left) and Yvonne Huang
A year 11 STEM student from Cherrybrook Technology High has won the chance to tour Sydney’s nuclear reactor at Lucas heights after entering the ‘Operation Art’ competition run by the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in conjunction with the NSW Arts Unit.
The annual competition received over 700 artwork submissions from schools across the State, all of which were exhibited before 50 were chosen for a touring exhibition.
The winning student, aspiring physicist Yvonne Huang, toured the OPAL reactor which is managed by the Australian Nuclear and Scientific Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
Ms Huang said she felt privileged to be invited to ANSTO and to meet with such inspiring and accomplished female scientists like planetary and instrument scientist Helen Maynard-Casey, and researcher Katie Sizeland.
“I entered Operation Art not knowing where it would take me but to be invited to Australia’s landmark nuclear facility and to see the OPAL reactor up close was very special,” Ms Huang said.
“Although art and science might seem like polar opposites, I’ve learnt from Katie and Helen that having a creative, open and inquiring mind is essential to a career in science.”
Chief Executive of ANSTO, Dr Adi Paterson, said the Organisation was proud to sponsor a program that helped make a difference to so many children in hospitals.
