Kathryn White is a science and engineering teacher at Merici College in Canberra and a space enthusiast. Kathryn has a Bsc (Hons) and a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Sydney. She is certified as a Highly Accomplished teacher, is the Program Director of the Australian Junior Science Olympiad, and has led the design and implementation of a novel engineering elective at Merici that includes rocketry and other space-related topics.
Brad Tucker is an Astrophysicist/Cosmologist. Brad received Bachelor’s degrees in Physics, Philosophy, and Theology from the University of Notre Dame and a PhD in Astrophysics and Cosmology from Mt. Stromlo Observatory at the ANU. He’s leading programs using the NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope and TESS to understand why and how stars blow up. He’s also building a network of ultraviolet telescopes in the upper atmosphere, a search to find Planet 9, as well as a new mission to capture and mine an asteroid. Brad frequently gives talks to school groups and the general public about Astronomy and chats with the media about Astronomy news and events. Brad has also developed a series of Astronomy coins with the Australian Mint and consulted on science fiction movies. He is currently in the process of writing his first book.
Session 9: Making Space for Young Australians
Earth and Space sciences is a specified topic in the Australian curriculum and is covered from very early age. With much of our foundational understanding of the place of earth in Space formed at such a young age, what do school children think about Space?
Moderators:
- Dr Kathryn White, Merici College, Canberra
- Dr Brad Tucker, Mt Stromlo Observatory, ANU
Participating Students:
- Ishita Gupta (Merici College)
- Kenneth Le (Daramalan College)
- Aryana Niyakan-Safy (Merici College)
- Gabrielle Shoebridge (Merici College)
- Tristian Tierney (Daramalan College)