TEWANTIN student Matthew Craigie was one of only two students in the whole of Australia chosen to take part in a prestigious program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The 17-year-old student joined some of the world’s best and brightest at MIT to join the 11-day MIT Science Research Institute Program (MIT RSI).
Matthew had 11-days to soak up as much knowledge as he could before he went on to work as a research intern using advanced laboratory equipment in one of the world’s leading research science universities under the mentorship of the research scientists at MIT.
Matthew said the opportunity has allowed him to establish connections that will set him up for the future in the hopes of pursing a research science career in the field of physics.
“I hope to make a contribution to future clean energy sources, perhaps in exploring the potential of quantum physics in alternative energies,” Matthew said.
“Science has the potential to change so many lives through medical technologies, power generation, water purification … science can make a difference. As a long term goal, I would like to promote science in Australia and look up to Australian science ambassadors such as Dr David Mills.”
Matthew is no stranger to scientific endeavour even at such a young age. He has attended the Conoco Phillips Science Experience at UQ, QUT and Griffith University, the Queensland University of Technology vice-chancellor’s STEM camp and National Youth Science Forum at Australian National University.
He is also a member of Young Scientists of Australia Brisbane Chapter and has acted as an ambassador for science in the local community promoting science at schools and community clubs.
Tewantin Noosa RSL were pleased to be able to provide Matthew with $1000 in sponsorship for his trip and when RSL director Dean Harlow was in the US last week he took the chance to drop-in to MIT to visit Matthew who is greatly enjoying the program.
