Meet the Experts - Eureka Prizes
School and university students are invited to join us online for an exclusive session with some of the 2023 Eureka Prize finalists and winners.
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Get a chance to engage with scientists, experts and educators during our Meet the Experts program series for school and university students. Held once a term, this program series offers a special opportunity to hear directly from Australian Museum and industry experts and have all your questions answered!
This term we will be meeting some of the finalists and winners of the 2023 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
MC
Dr Sophie Calabretto
Defence Innovation Network
Dr Sophie Calabretto is an applied mathematician, fluid mechanist, and science writer. She is currently the Associate Director of the Defence Innovation Network having transitioned to Defence from academia as part of DSTG's NAVIGATE program. Dr Calabretto is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Macquarie University, and Honorary Associate Professor in the School of Engineering at the University of Leicester. She’s been recognised for her excellent work as a science communicator, being awarded one of the ABC's 'Top 5 Under 40' researchers in 2017, and a finalist in the Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science in 2019 and 2020.
Speakers
Dr Kate Brandis
UNSW
Dr Kate Brandis is an applied ecologist with over 20 years experience researching the waterbirds, wetlands and rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin in eastern Australia.
Her team, the Waterbirds Aerial Survey Team, were the winners of the 2023 NSW Environment and Heritage Eureka Prize for Applied Environmental Research. They have conducted one of the largest and longest-running wildlife surveys in the world. As well as influencing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and nomination and management of Ramsar-listed wetlands, their data has contributed to the gazettal of three new national parks, and conservation of waterbirds and freshwater ecosystems, including rivers.
Dr Ricky Spencer
Western Sydney University
Dr Ricky Spencer is a zoologist and researcher of vertebrate pest control methodologies, working on the 'Turtle Crisis" in the Murray River, as well as evaluating optimal fox management strategies for managing nest predation on turtles and water birds.
His team, 1 Million Turtles, were the winners of the 2023 Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science. The 1 Million Turtle Team’s Community Conservation Program uses the TurtleSAT app to involve citizen scientists in hands-on activities such as habitat construction and restoration, nest protection and fox management. Emphasising STEM literacy and First Nations knowledge, the Australia-wide program has influenced policy, and saved over 1000 freshwater turtles and 200 nests in 2022 alone.
Dr Iman Roohani
UNSW
Dr Iman Roohani is a biomedical engineer who has developed several novel biomaterials for the treatment of bone defects and orthopaedic implants.
His team, the UNSW Bone Ink Printing Team, was a finalist for the 2023 ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology for their use of 3D printing technology to construct living cell-laden structures that closely replicate real bones. With potential for directly repairing or replacing patients' bones, this breakthrough offers substantial promise in the fields of regenerative medicine, orthopaedics and dentistry.
About the session
This program will be hosted online via Zoom. An email with the link to join Zoom and any further information will be sent to you by the Australian Museum at least two days before your session.
- Audience: This program is bookable for school and university students.
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Capacity: 300 participants
Australian Museum Eureka Prizes
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are the country's most comprehensive national science awards, honouring excellence across the areas of research and innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science.
In this special event, students will join the conversation with three Eureka Prize finalists who will discuss their work in science, share their career journeys and celebrate their Eureka moments. There will be an opportunity for students to participate and ask questions to the panellists.
NSW Syllabus (for the Australian Curriculum)
Stage 3
Science and Technology Years K–6 Syllabus
- ST3-4LW-S examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things
- ST3-11DI-T explains how digital systems represent data, connect together to form networks and transmit data
Stage 4
Science Years 7–10 Syllabus
- SC4-14LW relates the structure and function of living things to their classification, survival and reproduction
- SC4-15LW explains how new biological evidence changes people’s understanding of the world
Stage 5
Science Years 7–10 Syllabus
- SC5-14LW analyses interactions between components and processes within biological systems
- SC5-15LW explains how biological understanding has advanced through scientific discoveries, technological developments and the needs of society
Please ensure you read the Group Bookings Terms and Conditions before making a booking and refer to our Privacy statement outlining how we deal with your personal information.
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Group Bookings Monday - Friday via email or phone +61 2 9320 6222, or visit our group bookings office page.
To connect your classroom to the Australian Museum via virtual excursion you will need:
- A reliable internet connection;
- A camera and microphone connected to your device;
- A device with a display, e.g. Laptop, Chromebook, iPad, Desktop.
If connecting a whole class or group together, you will also need:
- A projector or screen connected to your device;
- Working speakers connected to your device. Make sure they are switched on and the volume is up.
If connecting on individual devices, you will need:
- Working speakers or headphones connected to your device. Make sure they are switched on and the volume is up.
The simplest way to connect is through a direct connection using Zoom. The connection does not require any software to be downloaded, but does require a computer (PC or Mac) with an internet connection, a webcam, and a microphone.
The Zoom connection to the Australian Museum is secure and private.
After confirming your school’s booking you will receive an instructional email during the week prior your session. This will contain the link to the Zoom room and the passcode required to enter the room. Click on the link to open the connection in your chosen web browser. Zoom will automatically activate your device’s camera and microphone.
For your Zoom username, please add your First Name, Class, and School, e.g. Thomas 5C Australian Public School. If you are joining as a whole class or group, just use your Class and School name. Once you have joined you will be in the waiting room until the host admits you to the room. If you are joining individually, the teacher will be admitted to the room first.
When you join, your camera will automatically be switched off and microphone muted. You will need to unmute your microphone to speak during the session and switch your camera on to be visible to the presenters and the other groups in the session.
Students need to be supervised at all times during the virtual excursion. If students are connecting via individual computers, please remind them to turn their cameras and microphones off unless asking a question.
During the virtual excursion
- Follow any instructions from the presenter/host or your teacher.
- The presenter will let you know how you can be involved in the session.
- Keep your microphone turned off unless you are speaking.
- If connecting on individual devices, you may like to blur your background or set it to a static picture if your video is on.
- Student discipline and online behaviour is integral for a quality session. If a student or group is deemed to be acting in a disrespectful manner, they will be disconnected from the session.
