Led by Associate Professor Joanne Jamie and Dr Ian Jamie from the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, and Associate Professor Subra Vemulpad from the Department of Chiropractic, our National Indigenous Science Education Program (NISEP) celebrated Indigenous and Western science during National Science Week.

Held at the Redfern Community Centre, their three day event saw almost 400 students from local primary schools participate in a variety of hands-on science activities that mixed mathematics, engineering, physics, chemistry, environmental science and biology with Indigenous cultural knowledge and practise – all culminating in a Family Science Festival that opened up the program to the entire community.

NISEP team member and event coordinator Erin Rozgonyi says that despite the rainy start, it was a spectacular day.

“We were thrilled with the high level of interest received from the public,” said Erin. “The crowds were much greater than we ever anticipated.”

Faculty of Science staff also participated as science outreach providers. Carolyn Kennett’s team puzzled guests with maths (and juggling!), while an assortment of physics activities were coordinated by Associate Professor Gabriel Molina-Terriza.

NISEP Co-Director Associate Professor Joanne Jamie said the highlight of the event was an interactive chemistry show run by students from Macquarie’s five regional and Western Sydney NISEP partner schools.

”We are especially proud of our school students who so professionally and enthusiastically explained the science behind many activities to the public,” said Joanne. “They were the real stars of not only the Festival, but of each of the days of the event. NISEP is aimed at enhancing educational outcomes in community, especially of Indigenous youth, using science engagement, and is supported through Inspiring Australia funding and through Macquarie University Bridges funding.”

The Indigenous Science Experience is just one of the events NISEP runs to provide students from areas with low levels of post-secondary education an opportunity to build relationships with university staff and students, demystifying the world of tertiary education.

Learn more about the National Indigenous Science Education Program and get involved by contacting Associate Professor Joanne Jamie (joanne.jamie@mq.edu.au).