It’s only a matter of weeks before I’m a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here! in Australia starts in May. So it’s time to announce the scientists and schools taking part.
The event is supported by our major partner TechNyou and will be running from 14th – 25th May. It features three general zones with scientists from across the country and in disciplines including health, ecology, technology and astronomy.
Schools
Almost 30 regional and metropolitan schools will be taking part, from as far north as Cairns, as far south as Hobart and as far west as Perth. We’re hoping energy levels will be high and classes at these schools will have a great experience. One teacher who has signed up again said “Tried it last year ! The year 9s were very impressed that the scientists were ‘normal’ people, that what they were doing may make a difference in their lives & that science was cool !!”
Scientists
Competition for scientists was again tough. We had three times as many apply as we originally had places for and would like to thank the University of Queensland for providing funds that we could put towards an extra zone. Scientists have thoroughly enjoyed previous events even on eviction! One scientist who took was evicted during our June 2011 event said “And it’s tacky I know – but I’ve already won. I’ve had such great comments, exchanges and questions from students. I love the interactive nature of the event and that communication really is in two directions. It is a brilliant scheme and I look forward to seeing it grow here in Australia.”
Helium Zone
Scientists
| Arti Singh(Sponsored by the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland) | University of Queensland (QLD) | I study the chemistry of enzymes called the cytochromes P450, which there are many different types of and which are found in nearly all living things, to find out what sort of chemical reactions they can mediate and how they do this. |
| Dustin Welbourne | University of New South Wales and the Canberra Reptile Sanctuary (ACT) | My research is on ecological communities and I also own the Canberra Reptile Sanctuary, a not for profit public exhibit of venomous and non-venomous reptiles, so I have a strong interest in reptiles as well. |
| Steven Tingay@stingay | Curtin University (WA) | I work in astrophysics, building and using telescopes that see back close to the beginning of time and space, to figure out what is in the Universe and how it has evolved since the Big Bang. |
| James Byrne @JB_blogs
(updated) |
RiAus (SA) | One time microbiologist and university lecturer I now write for Scientific American and run science events at RiAus |
| Chris Scarlett | University of Newcastle (NSW) | My research investigates novel therapeutic approaches to pancreatic cancer, and I lecture 2nd year Biochemistry and Microbiology subjects. |
Schools
- Redlynch State College (QLD) –Year 8
- Brigidine College (NSW) – Year 9
- Moriah College (NSW) – Year 10
- St George Girls High School (NSW) – Year 9
- The Armidale School (NSW) – Year 7
- The Hills Grammar School (NSW) – Year 9
- Baden Powell College (VIC) – Year 8
- Cooryong College (VIC) – Year 10
- Distance Education Centre (VIC) – Year 7
- Gladstone Park Secondary College (VIC) – Year 9
- Red Cliffs Secondary College (VIC) – Year 7
- Heathfield High School (SA) – Year 9
- Mitcham Girls High School (SA) – Year 9
- Murray Bridge High School (SA) – Year 8, Year 9
- Pedare Christian College (SA) – Year 8
- Ashdale Secondary College (WA) – Year 9
- Mercy College (WA) – Year 9
Lithium Zone
Scientists
| Renee Webster@reneewebs | Defence Science and Technology Organisation (Vic) | Investigating the chemistry (primarily oxidation / degradation) of fuels and lubricants used by the Australian Defence Organisation. |
| Janette Edson(Updated – Sponsored by the Faculty of Science, the University of Adelaide) | Australia Centre for Ancient DNA, University of Adelaide (SA) | The development of new methodology for the recovery and analysis of degraded DNA for forensic identification. |
| Yusuf Pisan | University of Technology Sydney (NSW) | I work on new techniques, such as artificial intelligence, to help us design better video games. |
| Elise Pelzer | Wesley Research Institute (QLD) | Investigating microorganisms in the female upper genital tract |
| Dirk Slawinski | CSIRO (WA) | I work on ocean processes off the WA coast primarily looking at how ocean currents and climate affect the distribution of coastal species like Western Rocklobster and fish larvae. |
Schools
- Redlynch State College (QLD) –Year 9
- Moriah College (NSW) – Year 9
- Queenwood School for Girls (NSW) – Year 8
- Riverside Girls High (NSW) – Year 9
- St Georges Girls High School (NSW) – Year 9
- The Hills Grammar School (NSW) – Year 10
- Cooryong College(VIC) – Year 9
- Gladstone Park Secondary College (VIC) – Year 7
- Red Cliffs Secondary College (VIC) – Year 9
- St Catherine’s School (VIC) – Year 8
- The Hutchins School (TAS) – Year 7
- Heathfield High School (SA) – Year 9
- Mannum Community College (SA) – Year 10
- Mitcham Girls High School (SA) – Year 9
- Murray Bridge High School (SA) – Year 8, Year 9
- Leeming Primary School (WA) – Year 7
- Mercy College (WA) – Year 8
Beryllium Zone
Scientists
| Herbert Chiou@herbertchiou | 3M (USA) | I take concepts and develop them into physical products to improve the lives of people through science and technology. |
| Kate Trinajstic | Curtin University (WA) | Palaeontology gets high tech; I am using new technologies such as synchrotron scanning to determine where the soft tissues (not usually preserved) are located in placoderms, the first fish with jaws and, paired fins and girdles. |
| Brad Tucker@btucker22 | Mt Stromlo Observatory (ACT) | I use exploding stars to figure out how the Universe was formed and what it is made out of. |
| Goli Samini | Garvan Institute (NSW) | I lead the Ovarian Cancer Research Group, and we focus on improving detection and treatment of ovarian cancer. |
| Chris Slape@is_chris | Australian Centre for Blood Diseases (VIC) | Leukaemia (and all cancers) are the result of cells that live and divide indefinitely, so how does cell death contribute to this disease? |
Schools
- Redlynch State College (QLD) –Year 9
- Brigidine College (NSW) – Year 9
- Moriah College (NSW) – Year 9
- Riverside Girls High (NSW) – Year 9
- Queenwood School for Girls (NSW) – Year 8
- St George Girls High School (NSW) – Year 9
- The Armidale School (NSW) – Year 10
- Baden Powell College (VIC) – Year 8
- Cooryong College (VIC) – Year 8
- Gladstone Park Secondary College (VIC) – Year 9
- Red Cliffs Secondary College (VIC) – Year 12
- The Hutchins School (TAS) – Year 8
- Mannum Community College (SA) – Year 8
- Mitcham Girls High School (SA) – Year 9
- Murray Bridge High School (SA) – Year 10
- Pedare Christian College (SA) – Year 8
- Ashdale Secondary College (WA) – Year 8
- Manea Secondary College (WA) – Year 12
Congratulations to our scientists and participating schools! You can follow the excitement on Twitter via our @IASAus account and the hashtag #iasaus.
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