Science writers, communicators, media, training, and public relations
How astronomy freed the computer from its chains
Testing new technologies in the computer not the real world
Breaking the link between fat and diabetes
…news, citations, photos, speechs and videos from the 2009 Prizes
John O’SullivanNearly a billion people use John O’Sullivan’s invention every day. When you use a WiFi network—at home, in the office or at the airport—you are using patented technology born of the work of John and his CSIRO colleagues. Read More about How astronomy freed the computer from its chains: 2009 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
Michael CowleyWhy do we get fat? What’s the link between obesity, diabetes and hypertension? Can we break the link? These are critical questions for Australia’s long-term health, and Michael Cowley may have the answers. Read More about Breaking the link between fat and diabetes: 2009 Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
Every new technology brings opportunities and threats. Nanotechnology is no exception. It has the potential to create new materials that will dramatically improve drug delivery, medical diagnostics, clean and efficient energy, computing and more. But nanoparticles—materials made small, just a few millionths of a millimetre in size—could also have significant health and environmental impacts. Read More about Testing new technologies in the computer not the real world: 2009 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
Geoscience is at the heart of some of humanity’s biggest challenges in the 21st Century: access to water; alternative energy sources like geothermal and hydro; and adapting to climate change. “So why,” asks Len Altman, “Are students in our schools more likely to learn about the moons of Jupiter or the rings of Saturn than about the planet Earth and its history?” Read More about Creating new careers in the rocks: 2009 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools
Allan WhittomeBadgingarra Primary School is perched on a hill three hours north of Perth, looking out across fields of canola and wheat. The approach to the school is lined with sculptures of native animals and a model of the Solar System made in limestone, set amongst native plants. In the classroom the students are fine-tuning model racing cars they’ve designed and manufactured online. All this is due to the work of Allan Whittome. Read More about Living science: 2009 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
