Prized scientific ideas

In today’s world, it is more important than ever to be able to communicate accurate and relevant science in a way that people understand and are compelled to act on.

We were therefore thrilled to have the generous support of Old Carey Grammarian Professor Jonathan Serpell (1973) to launch a new three-minute thesis competition, encouraging our Year 11 students to breakdown complex science into something everyone can understand. We received a diverse range of interesting topics, from bioengineered blood to sleep deprivation to clean water initiatives – but ultimately, the winner of the inaugural Serpell Science Communications Prize was Kathy Xing:

‘I chose my topic of genetically modified cotton, as it allowed me to talk about the effects of the cotton industry that aren’t often discussed. I want to raise awareness of the environmental challenges in the fashion industry which is a topic I’m passionate about,’ Kathy said. ‘To me, science is the way of the future and can allow us to make the world a better place.’

Professor Serpell was delighted with the entries received. ‘They had excellent content, clarity of scientific presentation and advanced skills in public speaking.

‘Having enormously benefitted from my 12 years at Carey, finishing in 1973, it is a great pleasure to be able to give back to the school that provided me with a wonderful education and start in life.’

‘To me, science is the way of the future and can allow us to make the world a better place.’ Kathy Xing, Year 11