2017 events

    student with plant

    Women in STEM

    On 30 January 2017, we hosted (in collaboration with the Office for Women) a communication training session designed to equip participants with the skills necessary to enter the Queensland Women in STEM competition which closed 17 February 2017. Participants were able to practise one minute pitches receiving feedback from fellow participants.

    Competition winners

    Winners of the Women in STEM competition were announced during World Science Festival Brisbane in March 2017.

    • Judge’s Choice Award - Dr Nasim Amiralian
    • People’s Choice Award - Ms Jordan Debono

    Communication training session

    Here are some tips which were provided at the training session for video development:

    • think about who your audience is i.e. general public, people interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths)
    • use simple, clear, plain English and avoid jargon and acronyms
    • practice/rehearse the script for your video in front of people who are not familiar with your work – ask them for feedback about content and delivery
    • have only a few key messages in mind which you would like to get across in your video
    • where possible, utilise your media and communications team in your relevant organisation to assist
    • film outside if you can for best possible light
    • film near a relevant or local landmark/location if possible and use visual aids (video/still images) of your work place, specimen, location etc. to help the audience visualise your work and what you do (but try and avoid too much background noise)
    • do your best to reduce movement, use a tripod if you have one
    • film video horizontally, not vertically
    • add captions for accessibility, if possible
    • ensure you have permission from film subjects
    • camera phone is fine, MP4 or MOV files
    • use a video editing program such as iMovie 10 or Windows Movie Maker 2012 or Filmicpro.

    Visualise your science in video—North Queensland

    We hosted communication training to teach participants how to create a video using their mobile device. The sessions were held on:

    • 28 July in Townsville
    • 30 July in Cairns.

    Writing science blogs

    On 22 November, we hosted a workshop for STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) researchers to learn how to write blogs. The workshop was designed to provide the information and tools needed to increase researchers’ confidence in writing for a general audience in a more casual online format.

    Blogs will be showcased throughout 2018 – including:

    Read more blogs.