Critical thinking for high school students
Nicholas J. Johnson uses comedy, magic, sideshow stunts and more to show students how to think critically about science and avoid being swindled. This award winning show is a great way to encourage students to apply what they learn in the classroom to the world around them.
Actor, comedian and scientician
Ben McKenzie is an actor, comedian, writer and Graeme Garden look-a-like. His writer/performer credits include the ultra-geeky Dungeons & Dragons show +1 Sword, comedy science lectures as “the Man in the Lab Coat”, Museum Comedy shows in Melbourne and Sydney, Channel 31 variety show Planet Nerd, hit sketch stage show The Anarchist Guild Social Committee, short play A Record or an OBE and political stand-up room Political Asylum.
He has performed in arts festivals, short films and Science Week, and also works as a presenter and voice-over artist. He blogs (mostly about science) at labcoatman.com.au. His favourite dinosaur is Stegosaurus.
Mathematics Polularizers
Burkard and Marty are Australia's tag team of mathematics.
They write the Maths Masters column for Melbourne’s Age newspaper, and for ten years they have been delivering their public lecture series at the Melbourne Museum. Their goal is to make mathematics fun and funny, for students and teachers, and for any audience that they can find.
Science-Inspired Comedy and Performance
Chris Krishna-Pillay is one of Australia’s most prominent science communicators and performers. His writing and performing credits include, ‘Somnium’, ‘Pre-Coital’, ‘Dante's Laboratory’ and the ‘Great Big Science Gig’. Chris’ energetic presence and quick wit have made him a much sought after performer and Master of Ceremonies. He has been MC for countless events including National Science Week events, orchestral concerts and corporate award presentations.
Chris has performed across Australia, as well as in the UK, New Zealand and Japan. He has been actively involved in National Science Week for many years, including as Chair of the Victorian Coordinating Committee.
Science Presenter and Film Maker
Daniel is a one-of-a-kind science presenter. His work has appeared on ABC TV’s Hungry Beast, Radio National’s Science Show and online as part of National Science Week. He specialises in taking science research out of the library and into the real world through self-experimentation, public participation and creative storytelling.
Daniel has 5 years of performance experience for stage, television and radio and holds 3 degrees in science and science communication. His production work includes elements of animation, multimedia and film making. He is kind of funny looking and has silly hair.
Mildly amusing scientist
I teach pharmacy at Monash and focus on how molecules work. The talk I give features antibiotics where I discuss art, bacteria, drugs and molecular modelling (suits upper levels of high school). Anecdotes abound and prizes (sweets) are thrown out for correct answers. The audience is actively encouraged to be involved in the talk (they get prizes if they do). Live demonstrations are given using socks and balloons. I also bring a historic collection of drugs including a French gonorrhoea cure from the 1800’s. It is an informative (i.e. covers aspects of current high school curriculum) talk showing how science can be fun.
Scientific Photographer
David is a multi award winning photographer specialising in science, natural history and editorial photography. With over 20 years experience in the industry he has a unique understanding of how to document and publicise science to the world.
As director of 'dpimages' David has been selected again as the 'National Science Week' photographer for 2010. Providing professional photographic services to the scientific community, dpimages can be engaged to do candid event photography, environmental portraiture (in situ), annual reports and specific scientific imagery such as macro, micro and research techniques.
Science broadcaster, public speaker, panel commentator, performer, communications trainer, Museum curator, podcaster, and MC
Dr Andi keeps busy running a ‘Science Gym program’, a customised training in science communication (Last clients – Dentists), MCs her ‘Bright sparks program’ where scientists generate limericks, haikus and speak to a burning sparkler without using jargon, and is building tomorrow’s Scientists in a cauldron using objects inspired by true stories from history and culture.
She's a broadcaster, public speaker, panel commentator, performer, communications trainer, Museum curator, podcaster, and MC.
After completing a Chemistry Ph.D. degree in Melbourne, Gary spent 15 years working in research laboratories in New Zealand, USA, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. He specialised in materials which do weird things under certain circumstances. From liquid crystals (which are not solids and not liquids, and found in TV screens and wristwatches), polymers which give off light when electricity is applied, to materials which change shape with a change in temperature.
Now he spends his time promoting the latest, yet oldest, technology – nanotechnology. Smaller than the eye can see, nanotechnology has, and will continue, to change our lives as we know it.
Environmental Warrior
Jason Kimberley is a bloke who has traveled the world and somehow ended up in Antarctica in 2005. He wrote a book about it all and founded Australia's leading online environmental resource for kids, teachers and parents - voted best by news limited.
Jason has pledged to inform all Australians on the environmental challenges we face and how we can rise to meet them. Every year he speaks to more than 9,000 Australians about environmental issues.
