National Grant Round Recipients for 2023

Tasmania has been successful with four national grant round winners!

Young Tassie Scientists: Sharing Our Research Across Our Island
University of Tasmania

A computer scientist tracking space junk, an ecologist tracking tabby cats, a brain researcher seeking a stroke of genius, a cheesy microbiologist studying food-making microbes, and an ‘insectologist’ who can tell you all about bugs and why we should eat them. These are just a few of last year’s Young Tassie Scientists (YTS), a group of 30 early-career researchers who volunteer their time to share their passion for science with audiences across Tasmania.

These widely profiled Science Week ambassadors focus public awareness on local Tasmanian research and highlight career opportunities through engaging presentations and hands-on activities covering a wide range of science topics. The YTS travel around Tasmania throughout August, supporting a variety of public Science Week events and providing in-school visits along the way, with a focus on reaching regional, rural and island communities state-wide.

Project/event location: TAS

National Science Week 2023 at Hive
Central Coast Council

Hive Tasmania is a major new cultural precinct in Ulverstone, featuring a planetarium and the state’s first Science Centre. Hive’s Science Week program will include stargazing evenings, extra planetarium shows, special workshops, a scientist-in-residence, and the marquee Family Science Day event featuring workshops, shows, science centre activities, and an expo of partners.

All events will showcase the amazing science activities Hive has on offer, such as a maker space, a beehive, and the Derby Track where visitors can build and race mini cars.

Project/event location: TAS

Beaker Street Festival
Beaker Street

Learn and laugh with science comedy from Dr Karl, join a Dark Sky party on the East Coast, see the entries in the Beaker Street Science Photography Prize, or chat with one of 150+ roving scientists.

Beaker Street Festival is an annual celebration of science and art in lutruwita/Tasmania, introducing Australia’s public to today’s most exciting scientific minds and ideas. The 10-day festival features fascinating talks and hands-on workshops by world-leading scientists, interactive science/art installations, live music and pop-up bars, and Tassie food and drink at multiple locations around the state; with a hub at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and the Beaker Street Crawl around Hobart.

Project/event location: TAS

National Science Quiz 2023
University of Tasmania

Charlie Pickering hosts a battle of the brains to determine the winners of the National Science Quiz, with the losing team slimed, live on stage. Two teams of Australia’s top scientists will discuss and ponder their quiz answers and the live and online audience can play along for the chance to win cash prizes.

The National Science Quiz is designed to provide a night of science, laughter, fun and slime that sparks curiosity in the world we live in, celebrates the contributions of Australian scientists, demonstrates scientific thinking and problem solving in action, showcases the talent and diversity of local scientists, and provides insights into the various career pathways offered in these fields.

Project/event locations: TAS, online

Congrats to the winners!