News

In2science was thrilled to once again be invited to attend the annual Science Expo at partner school Hume Central Secondary College. Held over two days at two campuses, the expo showcases science projects from the year 9 students. Our mentors, as well as special guests from CSL and Farmwall, were invited to judge the Most Scientific and Best Communication awards, and to share their own experience of working in STEM.

Organiser Chris Egan, Science and STEAM leader at Hume Central Secondary College, had this to say about the event:

“Our Year 9 students became the teachers recently, showcasing their impressive science experiments to an audience of younger students from year 7 and year 5/6 students from Broadmeadows Primary and real-world scientists. What started as a classroom project transformed into an exciting day of discovery and inspiration.

The professional scientists weren’t just polite observers – they were genuinely impressed! The visiting scientists were thrilled to see the depth of scientific thinking and genuine curiosity our students displayed. Our students turned the tables asking thoughtful questions about how they became scientists, what drives their research, and what advice they’d give to young people interested in science careers.

Days like these do more than just showcase academic achievement. They build confidence, spark career aspirations, and show students that science isn’t just about textbooks – it’s about curiosity, discovery, and making a real difference in the world. The enthusiasm was contagious, and we couldn’t be prouder of how our year 9 scientists represented themselves and our school community!”

The participants from In2science had some extremely positive feedback to share about their experience.

Himanya (left), a Bachelor of Biomedical Science student from Deakin University, said, “It was inspiring to see how confidently the students explained their projects and how well they engaged with us while sharing their ideas. Their creativity, teamwork, and ability to communicate science in simple but powerful ways really stood out. I also enjoyed sharing my university journey with the students and encouraging them to keep pursuing their curiosity.”

The University of Melbourne Masters of Environmental Science student Laura said, “The science expo demonstrated that passionate teachers create passionate students that are capable of scientific pursuits! The year 9 students understood and presented their science projects with confidence and knowledge. I was amazed at the variety of projects and in awe of the staff who are so supportive and inspiring to the students. The culture of the school was really highlighted, with students (both primary and secondary) being engaged and interested in science!”

Kaynie (right), studying a Bachelor of Science/Master of Teaching at Deakin University, said, “It was an amazing experience for me. It encouraged students and their passion as well as let everyone see the significance of STEM industry around us. The power of education will contribute to empower the future of STEM.”

Finally, Ahalya, also studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Deakin University, said, “The science expo was fantastic, demonstrating year 9 students’ technical skill and excitement for discovery through models and analogies that provided a real-world example of how science plays an important role in everyday life. The event gave an opportunity for both students and student volunteers to learn, teach, and develop. I hope that these students’ interest leads them down STEM pathways, as they may become future researchers, mentors, educators, and changemakers. As a STEM student, I was proud to share my academic knowledge and learn from this incredible journey.”

Sounds like a fantastic two days engaging with STEM! In2science would like to thank organiser Chris Egan for inviting us to be part of the expo, and The University of Melbourne for supporting our mentors attending. We look forward to joining again next year!

If you would like your school to be part of In2science, reach out to us today!

By Rachel Ella

Every year, secondary schools around the country hold Open Days or Nights, showcasing what each school has to offer prospective students and their families. There are interactive science displays, musical performances, cooking demonstrations, 3D printing, woodworking, robotics, and so much more to explore and discover.

Once again, In2science were lucky enough to be invited to participate in Bundoora Secondary College’s Open Night. Bundoora SC have been an In2science partner school since 2007, and last year their teachers and students were winners and nominees at our annual awards night. It was lovely to see these certificates proudly on display at Open Night!

Three of our mentors currently placed at Bundoora Secondary College joined me on the night to talk about In2science and what it had to offer students in STEM classrooms. We were excited to have our table set up in the College’s brand-new science building! The teachers and students had worked tirelessly in the week leading up to Open Night to set all the equipment and furniture back up in its new home.

Jayanti, currently studying her Masters of Laboratory Medicine at RMIT University, joined me on the night. She has been working with year 8-10 students in the STEM Club and has assisted them in putting together a periodic table of The Diverse History of STEM. This amazing piece of science art was on display at Open Night (pictured below). It depicts many of the scientists credited with STEM discoveries over the centuries. It’s very impressive, don’t you think?

Over the course of the evening, Jayanti, Lakshan, Nishadini, and I spoke to many prospective parents about the In2science program and the exciting prospect of having a university student mentor in one of their child’s STEM classes. We also spoke to many of the students, finding out it they liked science and maths and what they enjoyed about it. You can imagine the fun answers and conversations we had with them! I cannot confirm or deny if Mentos were used in any bribery!

If you are interested in having an In2science mentor in your classroom, please reach out to our Program Manager at [email protected]. We are currently recruiting, interviewing and training a fabulous cohort of mentors ready for semester 2, so email us today!

By Thisanja Cooray, Masters of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics student at La Trobe University and current In2science eMentor.

Last month, the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS) and the Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology Inc. (ASI) hosted a Discovery Tour of infection and immunity at La Trobe University. This was a great opportunity to show my In2science mentee, Rhiannon, a peek into how scientists work to find better solutions to fight new diseases. Rhiannon is a curious student – we had amazing In2science sessions, delving into the different realms of science, from cell biology to viruses, during our meetings.

I remember my school days during science field trips, I would be thrilled to find out there was some hands-on experience and interesting science to hear about. Now looking back on it, I can see how this has inspired me to consider taking science at university. So, when the opportunity came about, I immediately contacted my coordinator Dr Tahnee Saunders and put the message out in hopes that my mentee would join in me in an adventure.

Stepping into La Trobe’s Labs

We first sat down to hear Dr Emma Grant’s interesting talk on her work about the Bird Flu. It was a fantastic opportunity for Rhiannon to hear from a great scientist! I was particularly very excited when I found out there was some hands-on activities in the labs as this would help to show real-life lab techniques and foster confidence in STEM.

Everyone was sorted to different groups; our group leader was Professor Begoña Heras, another amazing scientist who guided us through all the sections of the labs. Our first stop was the world of Microbiology, where we went through bacterial and fungi plates that originated from a variety of places, all the way from rivers to someone’s shoe – some of them glowing like the sunset! They were fascinating species, some beneficial to the world, such as those used in insulin production, and others less so.

Then we headed into another lab, geared up in lab coats and gloves, where we got to see cells through a microscope, protein gels, and protein crystallization. Then for the more exciting part – loading an actual protein gel! See what Rhiannon has to say about this experience:

“My favourite part of the day was going into the PC2 lab wearing a lab coat and gloves for the first time. There were a few hands-on activities for me and the rest of the group to participate in. We got to ask the scientists about kidney cancer cells under a microscope. We moved on to the next exciting thing, gel electrophoresis! I got to load a gel to identify what type of protein it was. For that task I used a pipette and a vial containing the different proteins. I was successful at loading the protein into the well in the gel.”

In fact, Rhiannon loaded the protein accurately for the first time!

We also delved into microscopy, from light microscopes to confocal where we observed zebrafish:

“I was taken back by the beating of the zebrafish’s heart, and by the absurdly small size of the creature. I found it fascinating how the zebrafish were transparent for a few weeks. I was also surprised at the size of the labs and university. It had a large range of subjects and was a store of enormous knowledge.”

Why Days Like This Matter

Overall, it was a fun and enlightening experience for not only my mentee but myself as it strengthens my own understanding of science and gives me more appreciation of the research project that I am currently doing for my final year of Masters at La Trobe.

I think it is important for young learners to explore the different sides of science, learn how research has made it into the real world and spark curiosity. Through programs like In2science, this can be achieved. I thank the organisers of the event and my In2science Coordinator Dr Tahnee Saunders for giving me this wonderful opportunity to inspire my mentee.

Stay curious!

Ahalya Suresh is an In2science mentor working with a year 9 science class at Doveton College. She is currently completing her PhD at RMIT University. In this reflection piece, Ahalya talks about her love for sparking curiosity in others through science communication.

If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d one day be talking about mangroves and climate change in a pub full of strangers, I probably would have laughed nervously and gone back to my lab bench. Yet here I am; a proud mentor with In2science, and now, a presenter at Pint of Science.

My journey into science wasn’t a straight line. Like many students, I didn’t grow up knowing exactly what I wanted to be. But I knew I was curious about how the world works, why our oceans matter, and how we can do better for the planet.  It wasn’t until university that I truly discovered my passion for environmental science, especially the mysterious and often overlooked ecosystems like mangroves, saltmarshes, and seagrasses. These “blue carbon” ecosystems are not just fascinating; they’re powerful tools in the fight against climate change. The more I learned about them, the more I knew I wanted to dig deeper (sometimes literally – muddy boots and all) and contribute to their conservation.

That’s how I landed in my current PhD research, which explores how regenerative tourism, where tourists actively contribute to restoring the environment, can help protect and restore coastal wetlands. It’s a space where science, sustainability, and society intersect, and that makes it more exciting.

When I joined In2science, I didn’t just want to share knowledge, I wanted to spark curiosity. Mentoring high school students reminded me why I fell in love with science in the first place. Their questions, creativity, and fresh perspectives were energising. It was a two-way street: while I offered insights into university life and STEM careers, they challenged me to explain my work in ways that actually made sense beyond academic jargon.

Somewhere along the way, I realised science doesn’t just belong in classrooms or journals. It belongs everywhere – in conversations over coffee, on social media, in art, and yes, even over a pint.

So, when I got the chance to speak at Pint of Science, a global festival where researchers share their science in local pubs with curious audiences, I jumped at it.

And when I stood up to speak at my first Pint of Science event, I felt that same spark I had as an In2science mentor, that sense of connection. I talked about mangroves, climate change, and community action and people actually wanted to know more. They asked thoughtful questions. They told me about their own experiences visiting wetlands. They made connections I hadn’t even thought of.

It was electric.

Because at the heart of both In2science and Pint of Science is one powerful idea: science is for everyone.

Mentoring helped me rediscover a purpose beyond my research. It reminded me that science isn’t just about data and discoveries, it’s about impact, and about making complex ideas accessible and relevant to people’s lives.

Most importantly, it gave me confidence. It reminded me that I had something worth sharing, and that communication is just as crucial as experimentation in making science matter.

In2science gave me a platform. It gave me a purpose beyond the thesis. And it set me on a path where sharing science has become just as fulfilling as doing it.

If you’re a university student thinking about mentoring or getting into science communication, here’s my advice: just start.

Start small. Start nervous. Start messy. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be real.

Whether it’s mentoring one student or chatting with a stranger about your research over a drink, every conversation matters. You never know whose curiosity you’ll ignite or how the experience might transform your own.

Deakin University PhD candidate Dilendra Wijesekara mentored year 7 science students at Geelong High School in 2024. Here, Dilendra shares her story about her research interests and how important it is to communicate about science with others.

I’m a PhD candidate at Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials, researching silk-based biomaterials for biomedical applications in collaboration with the Ear Science Institute of Australia. Alongside my research, I’m a science communicator passionate about finding creative ways to explain complex science. I also work as a casual research assistant in biomedical device validation and serve as the Communications Manager for Pint of Science Australia, where I focus on making science both accurate and accessible.

Earlier this year, I got to do something a little different from my usual lab work, talk about my research on stage at Pint of Science, where scientists take over pubs across Australia to share their work with the public. I spoke about how silk, the same stuff in your pillowcase or your favourite pair of pyjamas might one day help treat chronic middle ear disease. It’s a fascinating space where nature meets medical innovation, and I’ve discovered I really enjoy finding creative ways to explain it.

That’s something I also loved about being part of In2science. Coming from a background in university teaching in Sri Lanka, I found it incredibly rewarding to work with high school students here in Australia. From my very first interview with Tordy to the energising mentor workshop, the school sessions, and the final bubble tea celebration, the whole experience was full of connection, learning, and a lot of heart. It was such a joy to help students see the real-world impact of science, and to see their curiosity light up.

Getting on stage at Pint of Science felt like a natural next step. Just like in the classroom, it was all about making science fun, relatable, and maybe even a little surprising. I’m so grateful to be part of the In2science family, and I’ve truly appreciated how supportive they’ve been in celebrating me and my journey, even after the program ended. Whether I’m mentoring students, presenting research, or managing digital content, I keep coming back to this: science is powerful, but it’s even more powerful when we share it.

In2science was thrilled to receive an invite from the Royal Society of Victoria to attend a panel event to commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The Royal Society of Victoria is a prestigious organisation that has been promoting the advancement and communication of science since its creation in 1854. On Friday February 21, members of the In2science team travelled to Victoria’s Parliament House in the heart of Melbourne to attend this forum, entitled “The Solutions of the Future”. Hosted by ABC science journalist and presenter Natasha Mitchell and livestreamed on the Parliament of Victoria website, this event brought together three inspiring women working in various STEM disciplines to discuss the future of health, climate, and energy in Australia.

The forum was opened by Parliamentary Secretary for Education Nina Taylor MP, who spoke about the way incorrect and outdated gender stereotypes can negatively impact female students and the careers they aspire to. Ruwini Cooray, who recently completed a PhD in neurogenetics, discussed the many and varied challenges she has faced while getting her biotech start-up off the ground. Ruwini spoke with such passion and determination about her vision of creating safe, permanent brain implants leading to a cure for debilitating brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Climate scientist Dr Kim Reid displayed sincere enthusiasm for educating the public about climate change and spoke fondly of the different directions a career in STEM can take you – even to a performance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Dr Morley Muse provided fascinating insight into the future of renewable energy and discussed her work on promoting gender equity in STEM, an ongoing issue raised in Nina Taylor’s opening speech.

These inspiring panel members were quizzed by the event’s attendees – female high school students from Tech Schools all around Victoria. Whittlesea, Banyule Nillumbik, Hume, Ballarat, and Wangaratta Tech Schools were represented, as well as the Science Gallery Melbourne STEM Centre of Excellence. The students asked extremely thoughtful, insightful, and sometimes tough questions about facing challenges, getting over the fear of making mistakes, best advice received, work/life balance, and even what ice cream flavour each discipline would be!

In2science would like to thank the organisers of this event: the Parliament of Victoria, Inspiring Victoria, and the Department of Education. We would like to extend a special thank you to Royal Society of Victoria CEO Mike Flattley and President Rob Gell. We were honoured to be a part of this event. Please click here to view a recording of the panel on the Parliament of Victoria website.

By Tahnee Saunders

On October 10 and 11, In2science Program Manager Nicole Butler and I attended the 2024 Diversity in STEM Collaboration Workshop. Held at RMIT University in Naarm/Melbourne, the workshop gathered advocates of diversity and inclusion in STEM from tertiary institutions across Australia and New Zealand. It served as a platform for sharing impactful outreach programs and fostering connections to address the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in STEM. This event was the first of its kind I have attended after leaving my role of medical research scientist at the coal face of research into Parkinson’s Disease and taking on the new role as eMentoring Coordinator with In2science. It was so fulfilling to feel part of a community of passionate and caring people, all offering diverse programs to help everyone feel welcome in STEM fields.

Facilitated by Yemi Penn, an engineer, entrepreneur, and transformation thought leader, the workshop provided captivating sessions and interactive collaboration activities. Yemi is an absolute delight, thank you for reminding us to dream unreasonably and be curious rebels. I think the world needs more curious rebels, who are able to challenge current thinking and not be afraid to say what needs to be said. Yemi does this, while also maintaining a safe space, approaching all potentially uncomfortable situations with kindness and empathy.

Professor Kay Latham, Dean of STEMM, Diversity & Inclusion at RMIT, opened the workshop with a heartfelt speech providing a new perspective on the oft-quoted saying “you can’t be what you can’t see”. Prof Latham shared that this isn’t necessarily true as someone needs to be first and pave the way – as she has done herself. Now, young girls and women can look up to Prof Latham, and see themselves in her. Next up, the attendees presented short pitches about their programs and their involvement in Diversity in STEM. It was fantastic to hear about all the great work being done in this space at various institutions and find more people to connect with. Nicole and I would be lying if we didn’t say one of the big draw cards on the agenda was the “Connect with LEGO” session. I love LEGO, but little did I know how much Nicole loves LEGO, I even found out she has a LEGO passport – which I didn’t even know was a thing! Jokes aside, the “Connect with LEGO” session proved to be an innovative and effective technique for enhancing communication between participants, with some creative builds following the prompt “build who you are outside of your work.”

The research nerd in me particularly enjoyed the super engaging talk from Associate Professor Sarah Holdsworth. Sarah shared her insightful journey of engaging with the construction industry to drive meaningful change for women and transform perceptions among young individuals. Sarah’s impactful work spans various research areas, including Sustainability Education, Sustainable Built Environments, and Diversity and Inclusion in the Construction Industry. Her profound understanding of the challenges faced by women in construction is evident through her instrumental research that has influenced policy changes and cultural shifts within the industry. Sarah’s commitment to fostering resilient communities and promoting gender equality has not only informed key strategies like the Building Equality Policy but has also sparked ongoing dialogues with stakeholders to address complex barriers and drive tangible progress. The model that Sarah and her collaborators have applied to the construction industry is one that can be moulded and applied to other industries in dire need of cultural shifts to ensure all are places where diverse people are valued and can thrive.

During the session “Working with Teachers,” an expert panel featuring Carolyn Drenen from Pascoe Vale Girls College, Ffion Bowles from Dandenong High School (both of whom are involved with In2science), and Broderick Matthews from Questacon, emphasised the crucial role of educators in promoting diversity in STEM. Carolyn’s shoutout to the In2science program during the panel discussion highlighted the impact of our program in her school. The panel discussion focused on the how our programs can adapt to the needs of teachers, in an environment of increasing workloads, changing education needs of children and teens, and teacher shortages. In2science is enabled by the passion of our teachers like Carolyn and Ffion – and as a program, we want to keep improving to remove barriers and burdens on teachers, so more teachers can feel inspired and empowered to implement our program at their schools too.

Throughout the discussions held at the workshop, I gained valuable insights into the importance of co-creation in program design to cater to the specific needs of our target population. Understanding the significance of tailoring programs to address the unique challenges and requirements of diverse groups was a key takeaway for me. This knowledge will be instrumental in enhancing the impact of In2science’s initiatives. Nicole Butler, In2science Program Manager, aptly captured the essence of the workshop with her quote: “The workshop was a great chance to meet up with like-minded people and share ideas to overcome common challenges faced when working in STEM outreach. It was encouraging to see so many people determined to make STEM more accessible, especially to women who often don’t feel safe or accepted in certain areas. I’m looking forward to staying connected with the Diversity in STEM Collective and excited about what we can achieve together.”

Looking ahead, I am excited about In2science’s plan to engage in discussions with our target audiences, including students and teachers, in 2025. This proactive approach aims to ensure that our program remains relevant and effective even after 20 years of operation. By directly involving stakeholders, we can gather valuable feedback, adapt to evolving needs, and continue making a meaningful difference to the students who engage with our mentoring program. The Diversity in STEM Collaboration Workshop was a transformative experience, inspiring a commitment to prioritising inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous improvement in our STEM outreach efforts. I look forward to applying these insights to further enhance the impact of In2science and contribute to a more diverse and equitable STEM landscape.

Thank you to Tara Graves, Maddy Yewers, Ngoc Nguyen, and the team at RMIT for hosting this event. Photography credit: Ashish Narwade.