Science and Research Week celebrates STEM outreach and achievements

Winners have been announced for the 2021 Northern Territory Science Week Awards, with Charles Darwin University (CDU) academics and students recognised for their outstanding work in science outreach ahead of CDU’s Research Week.

The awards celebrate individuals and organisations’ contribution to promoting science, technology and innovation in the Northern Territory community.

This year’s Science Week Awards winners from CDU are:

• Dr Jim Lee, Lecturer in Sports Science at College of Health and Human Sciences, Scientist category
• Dr Farha Sattar, Lecturer in Education at College of Indigenous Futures Education and the Arts, Inspired NT STEM hero of the year
• Elnaz Saki, PhD student at College of Engineering, IT and Environment, Postgraduate category
• Alina Biju, Bachelor of Biomedical Science student at College of Engineering, IT and Environment, Promoting Women and Girls in STEM representation category.

From 14 to 22 August, CDU is celebrating its own Research Week, sharing and highlighting research projects by CDU scholars that will improve our lives and change the future in the Northern Territory.

In the awards to be presented on 12 September, Dr Lee is being recognised for the STEM-Fit program teaching school students sports science and encouraging scientific analysis at remote schools in Katherine.

Dr Sattar teaches drones usage and techniques to school children to promote experiential learning and accelerate STEM education.

PhD student Elnaz Saki runs workshops teaching young students how to extract essential oils from citrus, making liquid soap without toxic chemicals and using native Australian plants for wound healing, anti-cancer and antibacterial applications.

As the President of the CDU Women’s Collective, Alina Biju helps promote women in STEM leadership through industrial networking and professional development events.

The Best Science Week Event award category is sponsored by CDU’s College of Engineering, IT and Environment. Nominations from all award categories will be considered and the winner voted by the public.

The awards are part of the National Science Week from 14-22 August that features more than 100 events delivered by schools, universities, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres around the Northern Territory.

Dr Erica Garcia, CDU Research Fellow and Inspired NT Manager, said Science Week could help build connections to science and technology in the community.

“Science Week aims to build a strong, open relationship between science and society, underpinned by effective communication of science and its uses. Science Week projects from CDU students and researchers are always a highlight of Science Week,” Dr Garcia said.

A key event happening at CDU Casuarina will be the STEAM Spectacular, an interactive exhibition and workshop series for school students.

Due to the recent COVID-19 Lockdown in Darwin, the STEAM Spectacular event has been rescheduled to 9am-1pm on Saturday, 4 September.