Fresh Science

After five state finals involving 58 young scientists and 15 journalists, we’re looking forward to introducing the twelve national finalists to the world.

They’ve each had to: write their own press release; practice radio and TV interviews; polish up their ‘elevator pitch’; come up with answers to tricky questions; and entertain a crowd over a glass of wine at the end of the day.

We’ve picked the top 12 from these state finals to come to Melbourne from 22-25 July for a further four days training in how to communicate their science with the public, government, industry, business and schools at the Fresh Science national final.

Here’s how you can meet them.

Fresh Science at the Duke of Kent

Join us for a beer and hear leading early-career scientists reveal their discoveries in a pub, using rhyme, reason and the odd firework.

Last year we learned how to interpretively dance video game addiction, describe milk without saying cow and what rhymes with galaxies.

It’s on from 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start, upstairs at the Duke of Kent – 293 La Trobe Street (between Elizabeth & Queen st), Melbourne, Victoria.

The event is open to the public, and the more the merrier. Drinks and meals at bar prices.

If you’re interested in coming, email AJ on aj@scienceinpublic.com.au

Fresh Science school forums

Teachers and students can learn about how a worm gene can regulate brain health and ageing; how studying electric fish can help prevent power outages; a 55-million-year-old fossil found in rural Queensland that is challenging theories about the origin of Australian marsupials; how maths can be used to predict the time it will take to make land from mud and more at the Fresh Science school forums.

At each of the forums students will hear six young scientists talk briefly about their discoveries. Then there will be 15 minutes or so for students to ask questions about the discoveries or how the researchers got into science or the challenges of being a scientist, whatever they want.

The scientists will be in Melbourne as a part of Fresh Science – a national competition that selects top early career researchers from around Australia to present their work to the media and public. The scientists work in a range of fields from botany and zoology to biotechnology, medicine and engineering.

The forums are on Thursday 25 July at the Melbourne Museum. The two options are:

• 10 to 11am or;
• 11:30am – 12:30pm

The Fresh Science forums are free, but bookings are essential.

For bookings, contact the Melbourne Museum: 

• 8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
• 1300 130 152 (regional callers)
• 03 8341 7767 (metro callers)
• IMAX online www.imaxmelbourne.com.au

2013 National Finalists

• Alexe Bojovschi, RMIT University
• Wai Woo, Monash University
• Julie Lovisa, James Cook University
• Yee Lian Chew, University of Sydney
• Angela Crean, University of New South Wales
• Aliaa Shallan, University of Tasmania
• Ruth Thornton, University of Western Australia
• Robin Beck, University of New South Wales
• Lee Hickey, University of Queensland
• Evan Stephens, University of Queensland
• Christian Reynolds, University of South Australia
• Hossein Mokhtarzadeh, University of Melbourne