Future and Innovation
Science Extension Conference: Public Lectures & Showcase
By popular demand, the Barker Institute will be hosting the 2024 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. Staff, students and parents from all schools are invited to join Barker staff, students and parents for an exciting evening.
2024 Students are invited to submit a poster for our dinner/poster session.
This event is for:
- 2024 Year 12 Students doing final revision of Module 1 before the HSC exam on Wednesday 30 October (two days later).
- 2025 Year 12 Students seeking to cover Module 1 dot-points and developing project ideas as they begin the course.
- Parents of 2024 or 2025 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.
2024 Program:
6:00pm - Lecture 1 - Indigenous cultural knowledge and modern science with special guest Associate Professor Tien Huynh
Associate Professor Tien Huynh is a biotechnologist at RMIT with research interests in medicinal plants, mycology, environmental sustainability, and biomaterial innovations. Tien gained her PhD at the University of Melbourne and held post-doctorates in the UK, Italy and Australia in a range of diverse and multidisciplinary projects working alongside industry, entrepreneurs and government. Tien has numerous scientific outputs with >20 years research experience, >45 peer reviewed publications, >$5M competitive funding and awards including recognition for scientific excellence as a superstar of STEM by Australia’s leading Science and Technology Association. Tien has established entrepreneurial and community projects and is well known for her science communication with more than 100+ media releases in top-ranking outlets. She is passionate about gender equality and cultural diversity to inspire equal opportunities for everyone. She hopes to make our Earth a healthier, cleaner and greener home for everyone and for our future generations.
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 2024 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?".