Science Alliance Newsletter
August 2023
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A message from Science Alliance, Faculty of Science
Welcome to the August edition of Science Alliance.
In celebration of National Science Week, this month's edition of Science Alliance includes stories celebrating the theme of Innovation: Powering Future Industries. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki discusses how scientists have worked out how to use clocks to measure height. If you are interested in AI and astronomy, discover how Professor Peter Tuthill could lead a team to launch a satellite telescope to look for planets in the universe.
Happy National Science Week!
The Science Alliance Team
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| | Super-accurate clocks can measure height
What does a clock, your GPS and the gravitational pull of the Earth have in common? Dr Karl talks us through how scientific advancements in time-measuring techniques are intimately connected to accurate measurement of heights and distances across the globe.
by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
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Bringing artificial intelligence to the search for habitable planetsDiscover how Professor Peter Tuthill from the Sydney Institute of Astronomy in the School of Physics will lead a team to launch a satellite telescope to look for planets around our nearest neighbouring star system, Alpha Centauri.
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Device that can remotely monitor your breathing: as tested on cane toadsExplore a new photonic radar system developed by Professor Ben Eggleton and PhD student Ziqian Zhang at Sydney Nanoscience Hub and the School of Physics that delivers contactless, high-definition detection of vital signs.
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Daniel Kim, a PhD student in scienceWe are excited to introduce Daniel Kim, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies, with a major in Genetics and Genomics. He is now a PhD student at the Children's Medical Research Institute, and co-supervised by Associate Professor Pengyi Yang and Professor Jean Yan, from our School of Mathematics and Statistics.
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 | Dr Karl and Friends: Innovation and Beyond
Thursday 17 August, 6:30pm - 8pm. Doors open 6pm.
There’s a buzz this National Science Week as Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and friends join forces, live on stage at Sydney Town Hall.
Take a ride with Dr Karl through the past 100 years of the greatest scientific discoveries and innovations that changed our lives forever. Today’s thinkers will do the same, but how? Dr Karl will talk to four future-focused researchers poised to blast our futures into the stratosphere. Featuring Professor Anita Ho-Baillie; Professor Emma Johnston; Professor Geordie Williamson; and Associate Professor Michael Bowen. Hosted by Associate Professor Alice Motion.
Free, registration essential
| |  | Paul Bourke Lecture - Climate finance: Taking a position on climate futures
Tuesday 5 September, 6pm - 8pm. Doors open 5:45pm
Join us for the 2023 Paul Bourke Lecture presented by Dr Sophie Webber, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney.
With climate change increasingly conceptualised in financial terms, hear an alternative geographical perspective that is focused on how the ideas, instruments and institutions of climate finance are reshaping the relationships between our economies and climate change.
Free, registration essential
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| National Science Week Events
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 | Infinity Mathematics Workshop
Wednesday 16 August, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Susan Wakil Health Building, the University of Sydney
National Science Week free after-school workshop for high school students at the University of Sydney. This workshop will be presented by Associate Professor Milena Radnovic, who will have a deeper look into counting to infinity and try to figure out if all infinities are equal or one thing can be more infinite than another one. We will explore the mathematics of infinity through discussion and solving problems.
| |  | Twist and Turn: The arithmetic of ropes
Thursday 17 August, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Susan Wakil Health Building, the University of Sydney
National Science Week free after-school workshop for high school students at the University of Sydney. This activity presented by mathematician Andy Tran, who will take a mathematical spin on tangling and untangling. We will consinder a situtation where we have two ropes and apply two possible operations: a twist and a turn. In this simple setup, we will explore the mathematics behind these tangels in a combination of hands-on activites and discussions. | |
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 | Maths Circle talk - Numbers are not so simple (for primary school students & teachers)
Saturday 26 August, 10:00am - 11:30am
Pharmacy and Bank Building, the University of Sydney
Join mathematician Quan Lam from the University of California to discuss the topics on the evolution of our number system, the importance of "zero", mysteries and patterns of numbers and myths about some of the commin properties of numbers. We may even have time to briefly explore the mystery of "infinity". | |  | Maths Circle talk - Being average (for high school students & teachers)
Saturday 26 August, 1pm - 3pm
Pharmacy and Bank Building, the University of Sydney
Join mathematician Quan Lam from the University of Carlifornia to discuss the topics on what are some of the different kinds of "average", when should we use them, what are their applications, how do we use these different types of averages and their relationship to solve difficult math problems. | |
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| Resources for high school students and teachers
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 | Life in the Field Webinar: From science history to space policy
Wednesday 23 August 4:00pm - 4:30pm
On Zoom
What is the purpose of science and the work of scientists? Should we be worried about the implications of science beyond the lab or classroom? Join this session with Dr Annie Handmer from the School of History and Philosophy of Science to learn how she interrogates the ethical, socail econmoic, historical and greater philosophical parameters of science in the real world. | |  | Experience Sydney at Open Day
Saturday 26 August, 9am - 3pm
On campus
Our program is packed with everything you need to start your journey. Join an info session, explore our campus and get course advice from staff and students. We'll have activities scheduled throughout the day, so you can join in on what interest you.
Register to build your personal timetable and keep informed of any event updates online.
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 | Call all PDHPE teachers!
OurFutures delivers evidence-based, curriculum-aligned online modules for mental health and substance use prevention for Year 7 - 10. Hear leading experts on school-based drug education session - what works: alcohol, tobacco, vaping and other drug eduation in schools online.
| |  | The Alphabet of Awesome Science
Wednesday 11 October - Friday 13 October
Seymour Centre
This voyage through the alphabet is equal parts explosive, messy, spectacular, hilarious, and gross where words inspire theatrical scientific surprises.
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 | Science Extension Workshop (Free)
Friday 13 October and Friday 20 October (on campus)
Wedneday 18 October (on Zoom)
Appropriate for Year 12 students just starting Science Extension course, the students get to network with our researchers and get a good head start on choosing their science investigation topic.
| |  | The M in STEM Careers
Thursday 19 October, 6pm - 8pm
New Law Building Annex, the University of Sydney
If you or you are parents/guardians of Year 10 - 12 students, come along to discover just how important the maths you learn in the classroom is to everything from physics to medicine. It will be followed by a networking Q&A so you can receive tailored advice and build connections with your future peers and potential colleagues.
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 | Igniting the Future of Renewable Engergy: Grand Challenge
Thursday 16 November, 8:45am - 2:45pm, on campus
$0 - $18 per student + booking fee
Year 9 - 10 students will spend a day with Future Anything learning about a real-life global problem i.e. the Grand Challenge. Students will meet Professor Kondo-Francois Aguey-Zinsou, one of the world's leading hydrogen fuel researchers. They will then brainstorm, develop and pitch their own energy solutions to their peers and facilitators for a chance to win cash prizes. | |  | Mega Maths Day
Friday 24 November or Tuesday 28 November, 9:00am - 2:30pm, on campus
$0 - $22 per student
A day of hands-on activities for Year 9 - 10 students with our STEM research teams and current STEM students focusing on mathematics. A day celebrating and showcasing the variety of disciplines and careers that rely on mathematics and how accessible mathematics can be.
Partnership or priority schools can by book in for $0 registration for their students, but no food vouchers or transportation is included. Contact us for more information. | |
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 | Facebook
Professor Mark Krockenberger and our Koala Health Hub team are working with the NSW Government to help secure their future through an important vaccination project.
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The International Science School was held on campus in July. It covered a wide range of disciplines and students engaged in hands-on learning experiences.
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Three researchers and teams from the Faculty of Science have been named finalists in the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, Australia's most prestigious science awards.
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Professor Geraint Lewis from the School of Physics and Sydney Institute of Astronomy has unlocked the secrets of quasars to use them as 'clocks' to measure time near the beginning of the universe.
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