Elite summer school to shape career path

Bunbury Catholic College student Trinity Mangano was selected as one of the top 24 students in the nation after competing in the Earth and Environmental Science Olympiad in August.

The 17-year-old will now travel to Canberra in January to attend a two-week Earth and Environmental Summer School program, the equivalent of a first year university course in the subject.

Trinity also flew to Sydney last year with fellow student Allegra Mazza-Parton where they presented a physics film titled Posing Great Questions and participated in a week of work experience with the Australia Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.

Trinity said her solo return trip to Sydney would be nerve-racking but exciting.

“This time I will be going on my own, so I am kind of nervous but I am really looking forward to meeting other people who are like minded,” she said.

“It will be a lot of work and we already have some assignments to complete before we go.

“As well as giving us the opportunity to learn, they will also choose the top people from the school to join the international team as well, so they have to make sure we know what we are doing and give us lots of work.”

Trinity hopes to make it onto the international team, but for the time being was content she had made it to Canberra.

Although Trinity only started Year 12 two weeks ago, she already has plans to study a double degree in sciences at UWA.

“I am not sure which ones yet, but the program will definitely give me an idea so I can narrow down my choices,” she said.

Students Crystal Vogel, Christy Taylor, Salli Parish and Adam Cronin received Distinctions in the Olympiad.