INTRODUCTION BY THE ASSISSTANT MÎNISTER FOR INNOVATION Science engagement is a key to increasing the intellectual clout of the nation, and if we want more Australians to be scientifically literate and engaged with science and technology, we need to invest in improving the exposure of our school students to STEM skills. The Government understands the important of having a coordinated STEM approach. Institutions such as Questacon - the National Science and Technology Centre have been the backbone of STEM engagement for many years, providing innovative programmes which are delivered around the nation. It has been exciting to see Questacon's Smart Skills initiative—supported by the Federal Government, The Ian Potter Foundation, Samsung, IP Australia and others—reaching out across the country. Of particular note has been the impact of the regional Invention Conventions, run as part of the initiative. The conventions link students with young entrepreneurial peers and local industry mentors. It's a example of how to transform young minds and leave a legacy that Australia will benefit from for many years. It is exciting to think of the curiosity that has been sparked in young people's minds by Questacon's various exhibitions, outreach programmes or video conferences. Through its leadership in innovating and developing new and effective programmes, and its training and development of science communication professionals who now work across the nation and around the globe, Questacon has truly fulfilled its role as the National Science and Technology Centre. As Assistant Minister for Innovation, I am acutely of the need for strong growth in the skills that will underpin Australia's future economic productivity. The journey of learning creates the capacity to inspire, innovate, fail and try again, generating the resilience upon which future careers, industry and a productive economy will be built. Questacon has been playing a key role in this engagement for more than 25 years and I am looking forward to watching them continue to lead in the area of science engagement as we grow the intellectual capacity of Australia. The Hon. Wyatt Roy, MP Assistant Minister for Innovation
The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science 2014 and 2015 In 2015 the contribution of science to the economy was explicitly recognised with a new prize - The Prime Minister's Prize for Innovation. The new Prize highlights the importance the Government places on efforts to transform the Australian economy through the translation of research into commercial outcomes. The Prize is equal in status to The Prime Minister's Prize for Science and includes a solid gold medallion and $250 000 prize money. Professor Ian Chubb AO, whose tenure as Chief Scientist for Australia finishes in December 2015, received a standing ovation at the 2015 awards dinner. Details of prize recipients are at: Note: Because this review captures the end of 2014 and all of 2015 we have included the 2014 prize recipients along with the 2015 winners. 2014 Prize Recipients Professors Sam Berkovic and Ingrid Scheffer Prime Minister's Prize for Science Professor Ryan Lister Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year Dr Matthew Hill Malcolm Mclntosh for Physical Scientist of the Year Mr Geoff McNamara Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools Mr Brian Schiller Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools 2015 Prize Recipients Professor Graham Farquhar Prime Minister's Prize for Science Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson Prime Minister's Prize for Innovation Associate Cyrille Boyer Malcolm Mclntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year Dr Jane Elith Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year Dr Ken Silburn Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools Ms Rebecca Johnson Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
3D Design Project Finale with Raytheon, 21 May 2015 This event was the final in a series of vidéoconférences between Questacon and students from around Australia. The students presented the results of their investigations into 3D design and were able to tell the story behind their project, demonstrate their design and answer questions from representatives from Raytheon Australia, Questacon Members' Night, 12 June 2015 The 2015 Questacon Members' Night event provided the opportunity to thank members for their patronage with a programme of special events and activities including live reptiles, UV face painting and Exploganza shows. The 2015 Members' Night and was attended by over 2400 guests, far more than any previous members event. Diplomatic Families and Friends Social 26 June 2015 The 2015 Diplomatic family and friends social event provided an opportunity to showcase Questacon's international engagement programmes to over 500 diplomatic staff and their families representing 45 nations.
ACT Scientist of the Year Award presentation, 20 August 2014 Questacon was the venue for the announcement of Dr Colin Jackson as the inaugural ACT Scientist of the Year by Chief Minister Andrew Barr, MLA. Australian Innovation Challenge, 25 November 2015 Questacon hosted the 2015 Australian Innovation Challenge Awards on 25 November. A partnership between Shell, The Australian and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. The Innovation Challenge showcases innovation and helps to create an opportunity to make a difference. The Hon. Wyatt Roy, Mf? Assistant Minister for Innovation represented the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science at the event along with the Shell Chairman and The Australian CEO.
QUESTACON PEOPLE The Questacon workforce is both culturally and professionally diverse. Questacon staff have wide ranging experience in science, customer service, design, construction, acting, education, facilities management, marketing, communication, finance, planning, IT, public administration, occupational health and safety, retail and electronics. Questacon employs 115 in full-time or part-time positions with another 118 on a casual basis. Within those staff is a mixture of expertise, including Commerce, Environmental Science, Geology, Medicine, Psychology, Exercise Science, History, Teaching, Law, Sports Management, Archaeology, Acting, Business Management, Human Rights, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering. Our staff are also diverse in culture with staff employed from around the world. Questacon staff are impressive with an amazing 8 different languages spoken across the workforce, including: Italian, German, Spanish, Hebrew, Russian, Polish, Japanese, Arabian. Questacon contributes to
young people in Australia by providing entry level jobs. In February 2015 Questacon welcomed aboard a new Apprentice in the Questacon Production Team. Chosen from a strong field of 75 applicants, Glen Goggin joined the exhibit production workshop in February to undertake an Apprenticeship Engineering Certificate III (Mechanical). Glen has become something of a celebrity at Questacon, getting a special welcome from the former Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Science, the Hon. Karen Andrews, MP, when he commenced his apprenticeship. He has become known as the 'pin-up boy' of the Questacon Production Team. Questacon has a dedicated team of gallery staff and volunteers. Together they work in the Questacon galleries providing science explanations and demonstrations to visitors. Every gallery is staffed by our enthusiastic Gallery Assistants who engage with visitors and assist with the exploration of the science behind our exhibits. Questacon also has 65 Volunteer Explainers to assist in the galleries and staff our puzzle-based Curiosity Corner. Our Volunteers have remarkably contributed to Questacon a total of 7884 hours of their time, what an achievement!