Tag Archives: canberra

Six supported memberships available for ACT members in 2022: ASC Canberra’s COVID-19 support package

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ASC Canberra’s COVID-19 response is aimed at supporting and growing our community of science communicators. We want to help people who want to be members of our organisation, as many look towards rebuilding in 2022 following the disruption of the 2020-21 pandemic.

ASC Canberra would like to offer six people financial support to join or continue their membership with the Australian Science Communicators for the 2022 calendar year, funded by the ACT Branch of ASC. These supported memberships will fall into three categories:

  • students who will be studying in the ACT SciComm field during 2022
  • recent SciComm graduates who will be beginning their career journeys in the ACT during 2022, who graduated during 2020 or 2021
  • established practitioners in the ACT SciComm field, who may have experienced income drops during 2020-21

The six successful applicants will receive paid membership to ASC for one year, funded by the ACT Branch. Recipients will be invited to engage with ASC’s branch committee to offer input into the branch’s direction for 2022.

To apply for this opportunity, respond by 5 pm AEDT, Friday 12 November to the question “what are you most looking forward to achieving as a science communicator in 2022 and how will this membership help?” Responses should be less than 200 words, and should speak to either your personal ambitions for 2022, or how you would like to engage with the ASC ACT community during the new year.

As well as welcoming existing members of ASC’s community, we encourage newcomers who have not previously been a part of ASC to apply for this opportunity.

Apply via this form: https://forms.gle/pXyWzamyMPnoByX47

The recipients of these six paid memberships will be assessed by ASC ACT Branch’s organising committee, and announced during the branch’s AGM on 29 November 2021.

The branch committee is looking forward to reading your responses, as we look towards a bright 2022.

Terms and conditions can be found on page 2 of this document.

Official notice of the ASC AGM, Canberra, 19 December 2017

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The ASC AGM is coming up in Canberra (and also online) on Tuesday 19 December 2017. The 2017 AGM is an opportunity for members to hear about the year’s events at the national level, and to have their say about what should happen in the year to come. It also includes reports from the President and Treasurer. When: Tuesday 19 December 2017, 6.00pm AEST Where: Whisky Room, upstairs at the Civic Pub, 8 Lonsdale Street, Braddon, Canberra ACT Doors open at 6pm for a 6:30pm start. Food and drinks available. If in Canberra and coming to the pub, reserve your seat here: https://www.trybooking.com/TDXL (seats are limited!) May include: meeting, drinking, socialising, games, etc Virtual: A Skype (or other) meeting will be set up for those unable to attend in person. We will also be able to Livestream the event. More details to follow. RSVP: secretary@asc.asn.au Only financial ASC members are eligible to attend the AGM. Agenda Proposed agenda items, notices of motion and treasurer nominations must be received by 6pm AEST Friday 8 December 2017, and can be sent to Teresa Belcher, National Secretary (secretary@asc.asn.au). Treasurer vacancy Members also have the chance to elect a new National Treasurer. Due to family commitments, our current treasurer Pete Wheeler is resigning after 5 years of service. We’d like to thank Pete for being such a stalwart contributor in the engine room of the ASC, overseeing the association finances and related compliance and reporting in times of change, and keeping the national executive up to date on all things finance during this time. Nominations for Treasurer should be accompanied by a nomination statement (<400 words) of skills/experience in relation to the position. Note that notices of motion require a proposer and a seconder, and nominations for Treasurer need to be agreed by the nominee. Proxies Members unable to attend the AGM in person can give proxies to other members attending the meeting. This means that unless members are at the physical meeting in Adelaide, you will need to designate a proxy to vote. To designate your proxy:
  • Download and complete the proxy form, and ensure a copy of this form is with your proxy to take to the AGM (Word and PDF)
  • Notify the National Secretary, Teresa Belcher (secretary@asc.asn.au) – this must be done or the proxy and vote is not considered valid
  • Ensure that the proxy form is completed prior to 6pm AEST Friday 15 December 2017
Please note that votes will remain confidential. All proxy forms will be collected and destroyed after the AGM. The following items are current as of 22 November 2017:

Careers and Networking Night – ACT Branch

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If you are wanting to get into a science communication career then the
ACT branch Careers and Networking Night at ANU is for you.

And people in the field looking for fresh new talent can meet all the
up-and-comers.

When: Thursday April 23, 5:15 pm-6:30 pm
Where: Green Couch Room, Australian National Centre for the Public
Awareness of Science (CPAS), Physics Link building 38A, ANU
Cost: Free.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/asc-careers-and-networking-night-tickets-16479602936

The night will begin with a series of short talks highlighting different
pathways and careers in science communication. Hear about current and
exciting new undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by CPAS which can kickstart your sci comm career.

Guest speakers include:

Lara Davis – How a chemistry graduate ends up a geoscience
communicator, via a Dip Ed.

Amanda Cox – Digital comms professional, science marketing at ANU, from a biochemistry background via the not-for profit and government worlds.

Phil Dooley – PhD in physics turns IT trainer, high school workshopper
then science writer at ANU.

Katie Howe – Comms professional, no science background, hey how did
she get in here?!

Anna-Lisa Hayes – Environmental scientist turns science communicator
in the government sector.

Following the talks there will be an opportunity to network over FREE food
and drinks.

Please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/asc-careers-and-networking-night-tickets-16479602936

When: Thursday April 23, 5:15 pm-6:30 pm

Where: Green Couch Room, Australian National Centre for the Public
Awareness of Science (CPAS), Physics Link building 38A, ANU

Cost: Free.

Official Notice of ASC National AGM – Canberra, 5 December 2014

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This is the official notice of the Australian Science Communicators’ Annual General Meeting, to be held in Canberra, ACT on 5 December 2014.

The AGM is an opportunity for members to hear about the year’s events at the national level, and also to have their say about what should happen in the year to come. It also includes reports from the President and Treasurer.

When: Friday 5 December 2014, 6.00pm
Where: Physics Link Building, Building 38A at ANU (Ground Floor)
RSVP: via Eventbrite
Cost: free for ASC members (only currently financial ASC members are eligible to attend the AGM)

Presidential Nomination

I am pleased to announce Associate Professor Joan Leach, from the University of Queensland and current ASC President, has been nominated for the role of ASC President in 2015. Read Joan’s nomination statement.

Proxies

Members unable to attend the AGM in person are able to give proxies to other members attending the meeting. This means that unless members are at the physical meeting in Canberra, you will need to designate a proxy to vote.

To designate your proxy:

  • Download and complete the proxy form, and ensure a copy of this form is with your proxy to take to the AGM (Appointment of Proxy 2014)
    • Check one box only for the proposed Constitutional amendment
    • If you do not provide voting instructions in these sections, you authorise the proxy holder to decide how the proxy will vote
    • Notify the National Secretary, Sarah Lau (slau@chemcentre.wa.gov.au) – this must be done or the proxy and vote is not considered valid
    • Ensure that the proxy form is completed prior to 4.00pm ADST on Friday 5 December 2014

Please note that votes will remain confidential at all times. All voting instructions and proxy forms will be collected and destroyed at the conclusion of the AGM.

Australian Science Communicators
Annual General Meeting 2014
Agenda

Items for Discussion

  1. Confirmation of members attending, apologies
  2. Notification of proxies
  3. Minutes of 2013 AGM
  4. President’s report
    1. Discussion: ASC national conferences
    2. Discussion: Branch management and national support during periods of decreased activity
  5. Treasurer’s report
    1. presentation of statement of accounts
    2. determination of annual membership fee
    3. determination of capitation to be returned to branches
    4. determination of honoraria
    5. appointment of auditor
    6. appointment of public officer
    7. preview of 2015 budget
  6. Election of 2015 ASC President
  7. Motion to amend the Constitution
    1. 4.3 Membership: “Membership fees will be adjusted annually in line with the Consumer Price Index”
  8. Branch matters and annual reporting
  9. Announcement of ASC Grants Program recipients
  10. Any other business

 

Further information

2014 AGM agenda 141127
ASC AGM 2013 Draft Minutes Web
ASC AGM Constitution Change Notice 141127
Appointment of Proxy 2014

 

Five winners of the 2013 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science

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In the Great Hall of Parliament House, Prime Minister Abbott presented his Prizes for Science to five remarkable Australians.

In an official release Prime Minister Abbott said, “Australia has a wealth of scientific talent. Our people are full of great ideas.

“The Federal Government will continue to provide the strong support our scientific community needs so it can get on with finding the next innovation or treatment for disease.”

The 2013 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science go to:

Terry Speed

Terry Speed

 

Terry Speed – Fighting cancer by the numbers
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne
$300,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science

 

 

 

Angela Moles (c) Peter Morris

Angela Moles (c) Peter Morris

 

Angela Moles – It’s not a jungle out there: rocking the ecological boat
University of New South Wales in Sydney
$50,000 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year

 

 

 

Andrea Morello

Andrea Morello (c) Peter Morris

 

Andrea Morello – Quantum computing becomes more than just spin
University of New South Wales in Sydney
$50,000 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year

 

 

 

Sarah Chapman

Sarah Chapman

 

Sarah Chapman – Using a motor race to fuel interest in science
Townsville State High School
$50,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools

 

 

 

Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson

 

Richard Johnson – A teacher’s laboratory becomes a primary source of inspiration
Rostrata Primary School in Perth
$50,000 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools

 

 

 

 

For their full citations and the Prime Minister’s official comments, go to: http://www.industry.gov.au/scienceprizes

For high res photos and videos go to: http://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/prime-ministers-prize

Profile – Anna-Maria Arabia, Questacon

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Interview with Anna-Maria Arabia, General Manager, Strategy and Partnerships, Questacon
Words: Sally Miles

Anna-Maria Arabia has recently taken on the role of General Manager, Strategy and Partnerships, at Questacon. She has hit the ground running and is using her passion for science education to build on Questacon’s world class science engagement activities.

While Questacon’s science centre is aimed mainly at primary and early secondary students, the approach to make science fun and interesting appeals to all ages. In fact, staff pay close attention to ensuring each exhibit can be enjoyed by all. The exhibits are produced and delivered by a team of very talented, creative people who are responsive to feedback from everyone who interacts with the exhibits.

But Questacon is a lot more than one great science centre.  From national initiatives as part of the Inspiring Australia strategy, to on-tour programs and exhibitions, the organisation does its fair share of community outreach.

This even extends to international partnerships with science centres around the world. Questacon engages with many countries by sharing ideas, developing skills and overall capacity building. This includes training their staff in science communication and even bringing exhibits across the seas.

Domestically, Questacon maintains relationships with both the public and private sectors.  Anna-Maria emphasises the benefits of strategies such as those of Inspiring Australia.

“Inspiring Australia is a bridge to many initiatives. It is a classic case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts”. Inspiring Australia offers many things, including national leadership, partnership opportunities across the country, and a great array of activities to get involved in.

Anna-Maria recognises science centres as an important part of our overall science education. Informal out-of-school science learning at Questacon complements formal education that happens in the classroom.

“Science Centres play a critical role in engaging children in science education.” Anna-Maria says. Questacon, one of Canberra’s most popular tourist attractions, uses hands-on interactive exhibits and a philosophy of ‘science by doing’ to motivate and inspire many thousands of students every year.

Questacon is a great vehicle to switch people on to science. It will continue to play an important role in the future of science education, and Anna-Maria looks forward to contributing towards a future of greater science engagement and inspiration.

Thank you, Anna-Maria, for taking the time out of an already hectic schedule to talk about science communication. We look forward to hearing more about the fantastic initiatives at Questacon. 

SCREN: Science Communication Research and Education Network

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Special thanks to Sean Perera from ANU for this contribution.

SCREN is a network of science communication researchers and educators in Australia, and aims to enable members to take part in collaborative science communication research and share best practices in science communication training at tertiary institutions.

Inaugurated in June 2007 under the auspices of the Director of the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science at The Australian National University in Canberra, SCREN’s current membership includes academics from thirteen Australian universities. The Network has been successful in attracting participation from The University of Auckland and the University of Otago in New Zealand.

In April 2011, a collective body of members met over two days at the SCREN Symposium in Canberra to deliberate future directions for science communication research and tertiary training, further to outcomes of the Inspiring Australia Conference (more about that later).

If you would like participate in SCREN or have any question please e-mail here.

Dr Sean Perera

Associate Researcher
Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science
The Australian National University

Australian Science Festival closes

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You will have read the sad news that the  Canberra based Australian Science Festival will not happen this year and it’s future seems bleak.I am loath to speak in the past tense about the ASF and I hope that its book has not closed for good. ASF has been very influential on the science communication event scene in Australia. The ASF team has been a creative spark and I wish Mary-Anne and her team all the best for the immediate future. I’m hoping we still get to read a new chapter from them before long.

Jesse Shore
National President

National Launch of the International Year of Chemistry

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The International Year of Chemistry has its official launch next Tuesday, 8 February, in Canberra.

The website for the launch information and registration is via this pdf on the shac communications website.

The website for IYC Australia is http://iyc2011.org.au/about-the-iyc-australia.html. Check out the events calendar.

I’m assured that science communication will play a role during the year. Check out the travelling exhibitions activity, four of which were developed by yours truly, which will soon have more details added. You can read descriptions of the four displays at http://iyc2011.org.au/event-reader.html?e_type=major-events&event=travelling-exhibitions

Cheers,

Jesse

Jesse Shore

President, Australian Science Communicators, 2011

http://www.asc.asn.au/

Attention Canberrans – what do you want from ASC in Canberra?

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The Canberra ASC committee is running a survey to find out what Canberrans want from ASC

What is important to you? What events do you want?

Click here to take the ASC Canberra survey

The survey should take only 5-10 mins (10 questions).

Responses to the survey will be used to inform where the ASC Canberra committee should be investing its energy and to tailor the events we’re planning on running this year.

Please only respond if you are in Canberra or take advantage of Canberra events.

No personal details are gathered through this survey. If you have any questions please email asccanberra@gmail.com