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Prize-winning Carey scientists Jodie O’Connor STEM teacher and coach for entrants to the Serpell Science Communication Prize
This year, we launched Carey’s inaugural three-minute thesis competition, the Serpell Science Communication Prize. Several of our top Year 11 science students entered the competition, with their presentations judged by two Carey science teachers and Old Carey Grammarian Professor Jonathan Serpell (1973). Professor Serpell is the Director of General Surgery and Head of the Breast, Endocrine and General Surgery Unit at The Alfred Hospital and Head of the Breast, Endocrine Surgery and Surgical Oncology Unit at Frankston Hospital. He is also currently a Professor of Surgery at Monash University. He has generously supported this new program to encourage students to engage with STEM, learn the importance of effective communication, and stay on top of the latest developments in science research. The winner of the competition was Kathy (pictured right with Professor Serpell), whose well-researched thesis addressed genetically modified cotton as a solution to some of the negative environmental impact of the fashion industry. Kathy explained that the CSIRO is investigating how to genetically modify cotton to grow in particular colours in order to eliminate the harmful dyes used to process cotton. Cotton is the most common material in the fashion industry, so it is important to provide a more sustainable product. 10 | Torch
Second place was shared by William and Alyssa, who discussed the topics of Procter & Gamble’s (P&G) clean water initiative, and genetics and autoimmune diseases, respectively. Along with Kathy, they explain their projects and what they plan for their futures in science. What was your presentation topic and why did you select this? Kathy: I’m passionate about fashion and how we as individuals can make better choices for the environment. By doing my presentation on the topic of genetically modified cotton, it allowed me to talk about the damaging effects of the cotton industry that people don’t often think about. It meant I could raise awareness of the environmental problems that the fashion industry creates and hopefully encourage people to think more about their choices. Alyssa: My presentation looked at drugs that target genes responsible for autoimmune diseases. I selected this topic because I am very interested in autoimmune diseases and have close connections with multiple people who experience them. Will: My presentation topic looked at a way to deliver clean water in developing countries and, in particular, P&G’s initiative, the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Project. I chose this subject because I believe that the scarcity of water is a problem that is getting more
‘The developments in science are always changing and they allow us to learn new things about the world around us. I think these developments should be shared and communicated with the public in a way that can be easily understood.’
