What – or who – inspired your career?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For QUT scientist Dr Honor Hugo –the founder of a STEM outreach program – it was a high school teacher.
She’s now paying it forward and sending QUT scientists and students out into the community to share their love of science, technology, engineering and maths.
The INSPIRE program's STEM ambassadors will visit regional Queensland this month, starting at Normanton (July 16-20), Longreach (July 23-27) and Mount Isa (July 30-August 3) in the lead-up to National Science Week.
INSPIRE (Implementing Novel STEM Partnerships in Rural Education) began last year when QUT scientists and uni-students were sent to regional schools and communities to share their science experiences and participate in hands-on workshops.
Dr Hugo said her high school biology teacher presented the classes in a different and dynamic way.
“It got me interested in science, as I knew I wanted to ‘help people’ and make a difference, but up until then didn’t really know how,” she said.
“There are some really great science teachers in regional Queensland and we hope INSPIRE will help support the amazing job they do.”
QUT in Brisbane hosted teachers from schools at Normanton, Longreach and Mount Isa in June to brainstorm ideas about what sort of workshops and experiences would be brought to town.
“Our STEM workshops at the schools will mainly target Year 9 and 10 students but we’ll also be running lunchtime activities for all grades," Dr Hugo said.
“While we are in Mount Isa, Normanton and Longreach we will also give career talks for the wider community at local venues.”
While we are in Mount Isa, Normanton and Longreach we will also give career talks for the wider community at local venues.
- QUT scientist Dr Honor Hugo
Dr Hugo will visit Normanton State School with biomedical science student Jessica Polizzi, after meeting school science teacher Tamara Gallagher at QUT last month.
French chemist and biofabrication materials developer Dr Aurelien Forget will join forces with mechatronics engineering student Amelia Luu to visit Mount Isa Spinifex State College and reunite with local teacher Nathan O’Donnell.
Cancer researcher Patrick Thomas and medical engineering student Olivia Blight are hitting the road to Longreach State High School after meeting their science and maths teacher Tim Barclay last month.
Dr Hugo said curiosity meant kids were natural scientists.
She has four children of her own and said she loved it when they asked questions about the world around them, as this was the key driver for all scientists.
“It’s important to listen to children’s questions and acknowledge and encourage this questioning behaviour,” she said.
“It makes me proud when I see them also being curious because it leads to asking questions and this is how we learn.
“The greatest discoveries that have changed healthcare have come from scientists asking the question ‘Why?’. If you find yourself wondering about your world, you are already on your way.”
