By popular demand, the Barker Institute will be hosting the 2023 edition of the free Science Extension Public Lectures. This year it will be all on the one evening to assist with those travelling greater distances. A new addition for 2023 will be a poster showcase, dinner for purchase, and project discussions.

Staff, students and parents from all schools are invited to join Barker staff, students and parents for an exciting evening.

This event is for:

- 2023 Year 12 Students doing final revision of Module 1 before the HSC exam on Wednesday 25 (two days later).

- 2024 Year 12 Students seeking to cover Module 1 dot-points and developing project ideas as they begin the course.

- Parents of 2023 or 2024 students interested in what the students have been learning and keen to see examples of their work.

- Teachers and Leaders seeking to network, collaborate, or gain new ideas about content or projects.

2023 Program:

6:00pm - Lecture 1 - Storytelling in Science Education

Dr Alison Gatesis the Director of Student Engagement and Partnerships at Abbotsleigh School. She is a highly-experienced and well-regarded research supervisor at both university level and the Year 12 Science Extension course. She is passionate about the scientific method as a model for inquiry learning and, in this lecture, will be covering various aspects of Module 1 of the Science Extension syllabus in a creative way. The Barker Institute is grateful to Alison and Abbotsleigh for their generousity in supporting this exciting event that extends far beyond the Barker Mint Gates.

6:45pm - Dinner | Networking | Poster Session | Project Discussions

This year, the two lectures will be divided by a 45 minute break for dinner, networking, and collaboration.

A delicious stand-up dinner option of Chicken Tandoori served with rice, flatbread, and a drink available for purchase on the night for $10. (Special diet options available with notice).

Staff, students and parents will then be able to explore the poster hall featuring 2023 student research projects. This will be an amazing opportunity for new students to explore ideas for their own upcoming research. Posters from students of any school are most welcome, please indicate on the RSVP form if you intend on adding a poster for display.

7:30pm - Lecture 2 - Philosophy of Science

Dr Matthew Hill is Director Barker Institute and has been involved in the Science Extension course for many years. He loves reflecting on the impact of the underlying philosophies of science on modern Science Education and will be exploring syllubus content of epistemology, empericism, induction and deduction and more, and wrestling with what this means for the question of "What makes Science, Science?".