Science In Public
Science writers, communicators, media, training, and public relations
Graham FarquharLife on land depends on plants. Every plant balances opening its pores to let in carbon dioxide for photosynthesis; and closing its pores to retain water. [Read more…] about Feeding the world, and asking where the wind went: 2015 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
Professor Graeme JamesonGraeme Jameson’s technologies use trillions of bubbles to add billions of dollars to the value of Australia’s mineral and energy industries. [Read more…] about How trillions of bubbles earned billions of dollars for Australia: 2015 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
A/Prof Cyrille BoyerCyrille Boyer uses light to make new and complex polymers.
It’s the latest in a series of techniques that have enabled him to create materials which are being applied in areas as widespread as non-stick coatings, anti-fouling technology, precision drug delivery, medical diagnosis and imaging. [Read more…] about Making polymers with light: 2015 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
Jane ElithJane Elith is one of the most influential environmental scientists in the world, though she rarely ventures into the field. [Read more…] about Where are the plants and animals we want to conserve, and the invaders we want to control? 2015 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
Ken SilburnFifteen years ago Casula High School was just an average state school in Sydney’s south-western suburbs with just eight students doing science at year 12. But something extraordinary has happened. Two-thirds of Year 11 and 12 students now choose science subjects and they are performing well above the state average. [Read more…] about Bringing students to science: 2015 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science – Secondary teaching
Rebecca JohnsonFifteen years ago Rebecca Johnson, from Windaroo State School, initiated a new method for teaching science more effectively in primary schools without costing the government anything extra. [Read more…] about Improved primary science teaching at no extra cost: 2015 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science – Primary teaching
Stories of Australia- Japan collaboration, prepared with the Australian Embassy in Tokyo to tell the stories of Australia-Japan links.
Symposium at Science Agora in Japan
11 am to 12.30 pm, Sunday 15 November, 7th Floor, Miraikan
(English language session)
What turns science into news? What makes a science story international? What are the BBC, New York Times, PBS, The Economist and other international media really looking for in a science story?
This symposium will give Japanese scientists and policy makers guidance on how to get their stories into the mass media in Western countries.
[Read more…] about Science as news: what are Western journalists looking for in Japanese science?
Booth at Science Agora: Japan
Saturday and Sunday, 1st Floor Miraikan
Exploring Antarctic oceans with elephant seals; sharing neutrons; new drugs for malaria; and the prehistory of tsunamis.
Find out about these and other Australia/Japan science collaborations at our booth on the 1st Floor at Mirakan.
Monday 14 September
Photo opportunity 12 noon: Scientists, teachers and schoolkids available for interview at La Trobe University where they will be 3D-printing cochlear bones.
Growing Tall Poppies is getting schoolgirls into physics by doing real science, with real scientists.
In their pilot program at Melbourne’s Santa Maria College they’ve increased the retention of girls to Year 12 physics to 80 per cent—and now the program is expanding to other states thanks to Federal Government funding.
The current crop of Tall Poppies are this week participating in hands-on experiments, learning how to image and 3D-print cochlear bones at La Trobe University.
With mentor scientists they’ll be learning about the tiny cochlear bone and how it helps us hear; how X-rays can be used to create 3D models without the need for surgery; as well as seeing 3D-printing in action.
“Some students are really surprised that there are women doing this kind of science—that it’s not just old men in lab coats,” says mentor Hannah Coughlan, nanotechnology PhD student at La Trobe University and CSIRO.
“It’s all about letting them know that anyone can be a physicist and anyone can do research.”