Day 2: A bit of this and that

Today started with a trip to the University of Canberra Forensic Science lab. They have links with the AFP and the local tafe and this is one of the top forensics labs in the country, we were told. Dr Tamsin Kelly is a chemist and does forensic toxicology - drug testing, mostly, so we got to do a bit of that on some unknowns, none of which was worth slipping into the pocket, I should add. By using particular reagents we were able to determine the substance pretty easily in each case.
As a side note, I would have to say that UC looks tired and shabby compared to most of the places we've been looking at so far at ANU. I don't wish to insult anyone and they no doubt do good work there despite the conditions but they seriously need some money for renovating.
Anyway, after that we came back to the college here and had a chat with Professor Ian Chubb, Australia's Chief Scientist. He has been asked to advise the PM on ways to stop the decline in young people taking science on at school, uni and as a career, and he was after some ideas from us science teachers. Per-service training and PD for science teachers were top of the list, unsurprisingly given the audience. He is a sharp, thoughtful man so I'm sure the PM will get good advice. What she does with it is another matter.
The afternoon was spent across the road from here at CSIRO's Black Mountain facilities. I was in a group that went to the shiny, new Plant Phenomics facility and had a tour around there. They are working out sways to increase crop yield and food production and are working on, among other things, changing the way rice photosynthesises so it is more efficient. Some really cool kit in there and a group of dedicated, enthusiastic people (a common thing around here, I am finding).
Finally we went over to the Discovery centre where we got our hands dirty splicing a gene that produces green fluorescence in jellyfish into E. coli. It was fun using the micropipette and stuff and doing some prac for a change, even if we might not get to see if our cultures will light up (they need to incubate overnight and we will be too busy to go back and have a look).
Right now I have to get ready for the grand dinner where we will mix with the students who are here for NYSF and some scientists. Gotta put the penguin suit on. More tomorrow.