Experiences
Excuse me sir – can you blow stuff up?
Michael at the lab
I have childhood memories of my mother yelling “Michael! What’s this gunk in the sink?” or “Michael, stop bringing all these rocks into the house!” Yes - I was a child with an inquisitive mind. I wanted to know how the world worked and why it worked the way it did. Whatever happened to that mind I hear you ask? Well it’s still here and, many years later, still asking many of the same questions (if not a lot more!) and yes, I’m officially a scientist!
What drew me to science? What started it all? I owe my curiosity and love of science to my grade 3 teacher. Her eagerness to make science fun sparked something in my mind, and now I am a PhD student in the CSIRO Scientists in Schools program, enjoying the opportunity to inspire young minds in a quest for knowledge.
The Scientist in Schools program is a Federal Government initiative to take scientists like myself out of our busy labs, and place us in primary or secondary schools. After completing my application I was matched to a local primary school. I made contact with the teacher I would be working with and we met to discuss our partnership and how we thought it would best work. We quickly decided that my old grade 3 teacher had it right - science needed to be made fun and interesting for the kids.
Michael with his eager students!
As the new school term began I made my first visit to the school. The kids treated me like I was a big brother. In turn, each came to me to tell me something about themselves. When I was introduced as a scientist their jaws dropped and an awed “wow” rippled through the group. I was then pulled in all directions with eager questions! What made you want to be a scientist? Is it hard? What’s the hardest experiment you have ever done? What’s your favourite thing about science? Is it dangerous? Can you blow stuff up? In all honesty it was the toughest set of questions I have ever faced in my early career as a scientist!
The feeling was so unexpectedly rewarding that I would recommend this program for many reasons. I found myself interacting closely not just with the scientific community but with the local community. My communication skills were also challenged. It’s surprising to think that just a few magnets, some odd bits and pieces and a small amount of time could get the kids full of questions and excited about my next visit.
