Regional and remote projects prominent in awards that recognise Territory science champions

The Northern Territory Science Week Awards 2022 will acknowledge the champions of science for their contribution to the community's promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The awards mark the end of National Science Week celebrations, a national celebration promoting careers in science.

This year there are eight categories with an additional people’s choice award for the best Science Event with the winners announced on Sunday.

CDU Lecturer in STEM Pathways Dr Carla Eisenberg said the field was competitive this year, and there were a lot of nominations across the categories.

“There is a high level of science and communication engagement in the NT.  We hope this will increase students seeking STEM careers as young people come through schools,” Dr Eisemberg said.

“I think there is more interest in STEM because people realize that STEM is the place for jobs in the future.  Researchers also understood the value in communication with the public.”

Dr Eisemberg said a highlight of the night would be a presentation to the winners of the school’s solar car challenge, two girls from Elliot and two girls from Katherine School of the Air.

“People say it is hard to get girls into STEM but to tell you the truth, in the regions across Northern Territory, I just don’t see it,” she said.

“The girls are really engaged.”

Dr Eisemberg said she was happy to see indigenous knowledge being used to transform our understanding of STEM learning.

One of the nominations in this year’s award was Milkwood Steiner School and its projects looking at knowledge sharing and learning through constructing traditional fish traps.

“I think that’s why children and students are so engaged in regional and remote areas.  It’s because the science is being taught in the context of real practical applications,” she said.

There are more than 30 finalists including students from CDU and local schools, organisations, community artists and more. CDU's Stefanija Klaric and Shehani Rajapaksha have been nominated for their work in promoting STEM to women and girls. While CDU's Amy Kirke, Rebecca Rogers and Shehani Rajapaksha have been nominated for awards to take home the accolade for Inspired NT STEM Hero of the Year.

CDU’s Casuarina campus will also be hosting a Bite of Science event on Saturday, August 20 from 9am-1pm in Building Red 1, 6, 7 and 8.

The event will showcase the various areas of STEM and have plenty of activities for kids and adults including workshops on augmented and virtual reality, drones, a chemistry display and an adults only a workshop on the science of beer.

For more information on the Bite of Science events and how to register head here