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www.coecxs.org Medical Physics of the Cochlear Ear Implant By Hannah Falzon, Jacob Talevski and Jackson Balazsy Marymede Catholic College Introduction The project is about discovering how X-ray tomography and 3-D printing can be useful in medical fields. It is important to investigate this area of science to discover advancements in medical sciences to improve how we can treat medical conditions in the future. The expectations had were that physics would be more about maths and that it would be more complicated to understand. Aim/Motivation Our aim was to discover how X-ray tomography and 3-D printing can be used in medical fields. Scientists are motivated to investigate this area for many reasons, such as wanting to learn more about an interesting topic or to help people who need this kind of research done to help them in their lives. It is important to other people because it can improve the quality of everyday lives. How has being part of GTP changed my appreciation for physics? ‘Growing Tall Poppies” has reaffirmed the imperative role that physics and physicians contribute to society, in particular the medical industry. This has changed the appreciation of physics after seeing how crucial it is for the wellbeing of all society. How has our understanding of science, scientists and career opportunities changed through this experience. Relate to the work that you have experienced in the lab or the department. Our understandings of science, scientists and career opportunities have changed through this experience have changed significantly. We thought that it would be boring working on the same thing for years at a time, but we found that it can be rewarding. We also didn’t realise how many careers used physics and how many things need physics to work. Conclusions Write your conclusion here I learnt that science can be applied to many different jobs. I have learnt about myself that I want to do something in physics. They are very down to earth and have a very interesting job. It is likely that I will take physics to year 12 or further because it is very enjoyable. Acknowledgements - Physics department -Hannah, Benedicta, Yvonne - The Growing Tall Poppies Science Partnership Program Reflection about the job opportunities that physics can open up for me. Nanotechnology Medicine How important is it to know the types of jobs you can follow to the subject choices you make? It is very important to know the jobs I can follow from my subject choices because I need to know what type of options I have in the future. Briefly describe what you did and how. On the first day we did x-ray tomography and 3d printing. X-ray tomography is using a machine to take images of an object and recreate them on a computer. We also did 3d printing. We printed out a cube, a bat man symbol a cochlea and a bulbosaur. What data did you collect and what did it mean The data we collected was the image of the object that had been scanned. It means that we can see any problems that there could be with the object, such as cracks. Physics of the Cochlear Ear Implant How is this project related to a real world problem? A real world problem this project is related to is being deaf and being hearing impaired. This is because X-ray tomography can find out what is wrong with the cochlear by scanning the ear and making a 3-D image of it. Challenging Stereotypes of what I thought physicists were like Male vs female stereotypes Yes, men and women can both be physicists. Can I identify with physicists and physics? Yes, because they seem very down to earth. Do I think I am able to do physics, am I capable? Yes. Has it changed my mind about studying physics or staying in physics studies? Yes, I would now like to pursue something in physics.
