"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of Giants"
-Sir Isac Newton
It has almost been 346 years since the great developer of applied physics left us with these memorising words. Words that showed the humbleness of his work despite his legacy filled credit, and still he mentions the history of which his work had been founded upon.
He stood on the shoulders of the great Al Biruni, Al Battini, Jabir Ibn Hayyan, Ibn Sina and many more names of which we find unfamiliar to this day, but whose work we know, and is done by waiting for more great people such as Newton whose name is familiar, to simply provide a revision.
How can the loss of great knowledge be prevented? It is by keeping Science alive, keeping and building the strong foundation of leaders to promote science across all ranges of learning, which is as to why Calamvale Community College continues to be a part of the UQ Ambassador Program.
The program challenges students to develop their leadership abilities and communication skills, and offers them the chance to connect with like-minded students across Queensland as well as academics and UQ Science Academy Leaders. To promote Science in their education, and in their everyday lives.
Throughout the year, the selected students will endeavor to create more projects promoting any field of science to the school.
But as Newton said, "From work to great work requires curious thinking", as to why the projects we build in the college will provide a great foundation to what we can truly discover, and to what we can truly create. But to do this, we have to look on our history, as it requires Galileo-like patience to finally see the planet or the start that has long awaited our vision.
If this is achieved, we have officially learnt from the mistake Newton left for us to discover, as we no longer have to stand on any more shoulders...neither have we forgotten history.
-By Bassel Fayoumi (UQ Science Ambassador)