Science Seminar: From Lab to Floor (EXH-180510)

Tuesday 18th May 2010
10:00 am- 4:00 pm

Hear a compelling line up of professionals discuss issues regarding education, the environment, research, history, collection ethics and recent developments in science interpretation for an audience. Join us on International Museums Day for this stimulating event. Guest speakers include:

• Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser AC

Professor David de Kretser was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and migrated to Australia in 1949. He was educated at Camberwell Grammar School and Melbourne and Monash Universities. His academic career bridged medicine and anatomy having held positions at Monash University as Professor and Chairman of Anatomy, Founding Director of the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development  and Associate Dean for Biotechnology Development.

His research into reproductive biology, infertility and endocrinology has been recognised nationally and internationally. With support from the Federal Government, he initiated a highly successful program of community and professional education in male reproductive health called Andrology Australia. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

• Helen Cohn, Library Manager, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne 

The National Herbarium of Victoria: centre of reference for botany in Victoria

Alfred Ewart, appointed Government Botanist in 1906, determined that the National Herbarium of Victoria should be restored as the centre of reference of botany for Victoria it had been in Ferdinand von Mueller's time. Ewart and his successors found Government indifference their greatest hurdle.

• Robin Hirst, Director Collections Research & Exhibitions, Museum Victoria 

The Ducks in a Row

Museum Victoria has made radical changes in the way we conceive, develop and deliver science exhibitions. We are bringing our research to the public in new ways, combining old and new communication platforms. The "lab" and the "floor" are being redefined. We are getting our ducks in row.

• Dr David Pemberton Project Leader, Threatened (Marine) Fauna, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania and;
• Brian Looker, Senior Preparator, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery 
  
  Form and Function, Shape and Size; it matters if you are an animal
  
  Brian and David will, through the mediums of word, image and object combine to give a presentation on how animals move. They will discuss how differing shapes and size provide the ability for animals to function in the natural world. Brian will use his preparatory skills, while David speaks and shows images of different animal shapes and sizes.
  
  
• Robyn Stacey, Senior Lecturer, University of Western Sydney 

Collections that Shaped Our Culture 

There are many reasons – scientific, economic, political and chronological – why Australian history and Australian flora and fauna share an extensive and interesting common field. At the time of the founding of the colony at Port Jackson, there was an explosion of interest both scientific and popular in Europe over the newly discovered plants and animals from the strange land full of 'antipodean oddities'. This presentation will focus on two of Australia’s most significant natural history collections- the Macleay Museum and the National Herbarium of New South Wales. 

• Professor Phillip Higgins, Retired Physics Lecturer, Monash University and Australia Post, and Suzanne Higgins

Delivering Hands-on Science to the Remotest Children in Australia

The remotest children in Australia seldom spend quality science time with a practical science person. This program delivers hands on science to children as far apart as the Kimberley, the Tanami desert, the Gulf country, Lake Eyre and surrounds and other isolated areas. Since 2001 over 1200 students have experienced this unique program.

• Donald Hobern, Director, Atlas of Living Australia, ACT
  

Building the Atlas of Living Australia

The Atlas of Living Australia will bring together information on all Australian species (including names and classification, geospatial data, images, sequences, literature, identification tools and species interactions) to support research, policy and education.

• Lyndal Byford, Media Manager, Australian Science Media Centre, South Australia
  

Science in the Headlines 

Science and the media are often thought of as strange bedfellows. Science can take decades to give results; the media wants answers in minutes. Science is rarely about absolute certainties while the media likes to work in black and white. But with issues like climate change and water firmly on the front pages, the need for a public empowered by knowledge has never been greater and like it or not the public still get most of their scientific information through the media.

Limited places available for a special tour of the National Herbarium of Victoria following the seminar.