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 above 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.

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 dire and is not talked about enough, so I wanted to help by raising awareness.

Why do you feel being able to communicate science effectively is so important?

Kathy: Sometimes when learning science, I almost feel as if I’m learning a new language, so I understand how difficult it can be to interpret all the scientific jargon being thrown around. 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 so that everyone can appreciate the amazing work scientists and researchers are doing.

Alyssa: Being able to communicate science effectively can help those who don’t know much about science to understand and become more involved. It can also be useful if you are interested in studying science and knowing how to properly talk about it with confidence and in a simple and understandable way.

‘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.’

Will: In today’s world, people generally have limited attention spans, which makes communicating new information difficult. Science can be an extremely important subject for all of us. It’s crucial for people to hear about developments, so science communications must adapt to be more accessible for everyone.

What university or career path are you interested in beyond school?

Kathy: I’m currently considering pursuing a career in medicine, as the idea of being able to help people and make a genuine difference really appeals to me. In the future, no matter what job or career I end up doing, I hope to use the skills I’ve learned throughout this process.

Alyssa: I’m hoping to study science beyond school and then decide which field I will specialise in. Right now, I’m aiming to study autoimmune diseases as an endocrinologist and work with children.

Will: My choice of career path is still slightly unclear to me, but one option is to become a researcher in biology.

What excites you about science?

Kathy: New scientific discoveries are made every day. This really excites me because all the discoveries being made could drastically change the quality of our lives and the way we live. To me, science represents the way of the future and I think it can allow us to make the world a better place.

Alyssa: I find science really interesting as there is so much to learn about. There are always new discoveries in science and new technology being developed to assist in theories and methods. I think it is amazing that everyone can connect to science and, in particular, that everyone is affected by diseases and disorders in some way, and new ones are so often being discovered. Scientists are constantly finding new treatments and medications that can help people who are suffering, and I find that so interesting and exciting.

Will: The element that attracts me to science the most is its incredible diversity. You can study two completely different topics that don’t seem related in any way and you can find underlying similarities or connections that link them. I also find it incredible that all of science is nature’s doing. It helps me realise that the planet we live on is unbelievably complex and impressive.