Day in Science in a Fish Bowl

When I arrived on the Day in Science, Sam was studying. As an Honours student, he has coursework to complete as well as his research.

We headed to the lab or the 'fish-bowl' as he calls it. When we got there I understood why. It is located at the entrance to the building and has a massive glass wall. While we are inside, people stare in. They point and even tap on the glass.

In the lab, Sam gets to work. He is making plastic bases to build circuits on. He makes the base by mixing a set ratio of the plastic called PDMS with a setting agent. He removes all the trapped air by putting it in a vacuum pump. Finally, he lets it set for a day.

Everything has to be recorded. “Basically, to be a good scientist you have to be methodical and record everything,” he says.