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Geoscience Australia inspires future Earth scientists at GSG STEM Expo
Published:16 August 2024
Geoscience Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Steve Hill, Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia Madeleine King, and Australia's Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley at the GSG STEM Expo.
This Thursday, during National Science Week, the Government Scientists Group (GSG) and its members transformed the Great Hall at Parliament House into the GSG STEM Expo. Attendees heard from STEM professionals across government that work in labs, in the field, at a computer and in the boardroom.
Geoscience Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Steve Hill and Director Strategic Science Dr Verity Normington joined Australia's Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley in sharing insights about how science can help meet 21st century challenges.
“Australia needs more people to pursue STEM to solve some of the greatest challenges of our time,” Dr Hill said. “That means attracting young minds to consider careers in geoscience, geophysics, geochemistry, spatial science and engineering, as well as providing the corporate services that the scientists need to be able to function.
“We’re helping shape a more prosperous future and tackling the challenges our world is facing. At Geoscience Australia you can make a tangible difference.”
Geoscience Australia is the Australian Government’s trusted advisor on Australia’s Earth science. We deliver information, advice and services to inform decision making by government, communities and industry.
At Geoscience Australia, we have a strong focus on “where” things are. We map Australia’s mineral deposits, advance green energy technologies, monitor significant earthquakes, strengthen our resilience to natural hazards, study groundwater systems, provide information to help manage Australia's marine jurisdictions, help grow the Australian space industry, and so much more.
The Hon Madeleine King MP tours the Geoscience Australia booth with Director Strategic Science Dr Verity Normington.
As a geologist, Dr Verity Normington heads up strategic science at Geoscience Australia and says you can do anything STEM in the Earth science world.
“If you want to do chemistry, you can be a geochemist and help find the critical minerals to meet net zero,” Dr Normington said. “If you want to do maths, you can do geophysics and look at the mathematical side. Or if you’re interested in geodesy, you can look at the technologies we rely on for modern life, such as GPS.
“There’re so many ways you can connect to Earth science no matter what it is you love.”
Perhaps Dr Normington’s greatest passion is encouraging more minority groups, particularly women into STEM.
“There is one thing we can do better as a science community and as Australians and that is to get behind minority groups in science, particularly women,” Dr Normington said.
“This might look like supporting our workforce to take time off to grow their family and celebrating our science heroes from all backgrounds. Because it’s hard to be it, if you can’t see it. We’ve made so much progress but there is still a way to go.”
National Science Week (10 to 18 August) and Earth Science Week (13 to 19 October) are opportunities to deepen our understanding of the world around us and how Earth science impacts our lives. Check out the GSG STEM Expo and all the events happening across Australia.