3D-printed pollen and taxidermy rats were the stars of this year’s UNE Sydney Science Trail stall, as thousands of school students and community members descended on the Australian Museum for National Science Week.
Dr Heidi Kolkert, collections manager of UNE’s Natural History Museum, was joined by an enthusiastic group of staff, students and volunteers to promote all things science at UNE.
“One of the standout moments was watching children enthusiastically toss 3D-printed pollen onto a model flower, ingeniously crafted by our second-year botany student, Gabby Green,” says Dr Kolkert.
“Unbeknownst to them, they were learning about plant pollination in a hands-on and memorable way.”
Other crowd favourites included the chance to touch Australian mammal skins and the ever-popular photo opportunities with UNE’s taxidermy rats.
Image: Taxidermy rats at Sydney Science Trail
“These interactive elements drew people in and sparked countless conversations about native wildlife and conservation.”
The week included school visits, community outreach days, a science social, and several panel discussions.
“The N.C.W. Beadle Herbarium director, Dr Andrew Thornhill, and I participated in science panel discussions held at the Sydney Botanic Gardens, delivering talks to hundreds of school students,” says Dr Kolkert.
“I spoke about the evolution of flight and gliding in mammals, focusing on Australian gliders and bats, while Andrew captivated audiences with insights into pollen and how we use it to determine past vegetation.
“UNE's Botany Convenor, Associate Professor Rose Andrew, presented a talk about plant species that have been named and discovered in the Beadle Herbarium at the Museum's Wednesday night science social mixer.”
The UNE Discovery team were also involved with the Sydney Science Trail running their ‘Plants, Poop & Pollinators’ activity for primary school students. The team ran four sessions per day for two days with students groups from all over the Sydney region. The students thoroughly enjoyed their hands-on learning and had many questions about insects, bugs and pollinators.
Image: A/Prof Rose Andrew presenting at Sydney Science Trail
Dr Kolkert says participating in major outreach events like the Sydney Science Trail is a key part in ensuring UNE can nurture and inspire the next generation of scientists.
“UNE stands out as the only university offering dedicated courses in zoology and botany, alongside strengths in paleoscience, a specialised dinosaur course, a museum with hands-on museum methods training, and an herbarium that offers students real-world botanical experience” she says.
“Plus, our proximity to national parks, the coast, and world heritage areas further enriches the student experience.
“Events like this allow us to connect with schools from outer Sydney and beyond, showcasing the unique opportunities available at a regional university.”
Take a look at some pictures from the event below.
Pictures from Sydney Science Trail
