{"id":1777,"date":"2016-08-22T05:21:22","date_gmt":"2016-08-22T04:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/injury-prevention\/?p=1777"},"modified":"2016-08-22T05:21:22","modified_gmt":"2016-08-22T04:21:22","slug":"celebrating-science-and-inspiring-the-next-generation-of-scientists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/injury-prevention\/2016\/08\/22\/celebrating-science-and-inspiring-the-next-generation-of-scientists\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating science and inspiring the next generation of scientists"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week in Australia was National Science Week<\/a>, a nation-wide celebration of science and technology via three key pathways.<\/p>\n

Pathway one is to inspire the general public to be involved in science – creating new knowledge – through engaging activities such as Citizen Science<\/a>. This year’s Citizen Scientists are identifying Australian wildlife that are featured in photos captured via automatic cameras, and anyone with internet access can participate whether they have a university qualification or not. This fantastic activity means that science is indeed inclusive, when many times it can feel like science is a members-only club.<\/p>\n

The second pathway is through showcasing the contributions of scientists to the world of knowledge through the Australian Institute of Policy and Science Tall Poppy Awards<\/a>. As the joint-Queensland 2015 winner of this award<\/a>, I was delighted to attend the 2016 award evening on Wednesday and was pleased to learn about innovative projects across a breadth of disciplines, such as infecting coeliacs with hookworms, the sexual attractiveness of facial hair, and optimising agricultural irrigation to name a few. Next month I will be one of the inaugural Flying Scientists<\/a>, bringing science to rural regions in which exposure to science can be limited.<\/p>\n

The third pathway relates to a flurry of activities to inspire the next generation to be scientists<\/a> – both today and in their future education and career paths. Recognising the importance of encouraging girls in particular <\/a>to become – and stay – engaged in scientific pursuits, I was delighted to host the first University of the Sunshine Coast\u00a0Growing Tall Poppies<\/a> program in my research unit here at the University of the Sunshine Coast earlier this year.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Adolescent Risk Research Unit team members Jeanne, Jamie, and Natalie, mentoring Sasha, Isabella, Mikayala, and Sian.<\/p>\n

The four Grade 10 students learnt about career paths through and in science, and conducted their own research project under the guidance of members of my team, before making a presentation of their research activities and the key findings before the senior school assembly on Wednesday morning. This presentation was very well-received by the students and teachers in attendance, further breaking silos such as ‘academics’, ‘schools’, and ‘science’ which can pervade.<\/p>\n

\"Bridie<\/p>\n

Bridie and the 4 GTP stars after their school assembly presentation.<\/p>\n

If we are to continue to effectively prevent injury, we need to make science accessible to everyone, and to the next generation especially.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Last week in Australia was National Science Week, a nation-wide celebration of science and technology via three key pathways. Pathway one is to inspire the general public to be involved in science – creating new knowledge – through engaging activities such as Citizen Science. This year’s Citizen Scientists are identifying Australian wildlife that are featured […]<\/p>\n

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