Category: That’s What I Call Science Episodes

Global strikes for action on climate change occurred this Friday 20th September so this week we bring you a show that unpacks the impact of climate change in Tassie waters. Dr Cayne Layton from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies is a marine ecologist who studies the kelp forests that are the foundation of the spectacular, but often overlooked, Great Southern Reef. Kelp plays a vital role for marine life in temperate (colder) waters. Tune in to hear why a species of kelp specific to Tasmania is endangered. With Tasmania’s eastern and southern waters warming 4 times faster than the rest of the world we need to know what effect this has for local marine life. 

Image: Dr Cayne Layton https://www.utas.edu.au/profiles/staff/imas/cayne-layton

Host: Niamh Chapman (@nchapmanTAS)

Show Production: Olivia Holloway

Join us this week as we delve into what it takes to get to Mars… and what happens from there? Special guest Josh Richards, a top-100 candidate for the Mars One mission, discusses his motivations for signing up for a one-way trip to the red planet, the selection process and what’s next! A physicist and engineer, Josh has diverse skills from his background in STEM, and more recently has established himself as a stand-up comedian. This could be one interesting trip to Mars! 

Hosted by Niamh and Bianca

Special guest: Josh Richards

Image: WikiImages

Tune in this week for an exclusive show with the University of Tasmania’s 3-minute thesis finalists. From lizard lovemaking to the influence of periods on ultra-endurance performance, we span 4 different projects in this feature episode. Guests included Brianna Atto, Thomas (Tom) Botterill-James, Tess Nikitenko and Kate Edwards giving us the inside scoop on their exciting research. 

Cover image: Kate Edwards courtesy of UTAS 

What should you do about that apple with an unknown disease in your garden? How are problematic pests and diseases from Mainland Australia being stopped at the border? In this week’s episode Niamh and Tessa interviewed Dr Ryan Wilkinson about the work of Biosecurity Tasmania to protect Tassie’s environment and industries from introduced pests and diseases, and some of the science that informs their work. We focused on the outbreak of Queensland Fruit Fly in 2018-19 and the science used to predcit and plan for future biosecurity challenges. 

Show hosted by Niamh Chapman and Tessa Smith.

Audio production by Olivia Holloway. 

Photo by James Niland

In this week’s episode, we spoke to some amazing budding scientists from the University of Tasmania, Elizabeth College and St Mary’s College. Our guests ranged from inspiring engineers, astrophysicists and chemists who spoke about what inspires them and what they’re doing to follow their passion. Tune in to hear from Jess Priest, Luzie Gillard, Daniel Searle and Lucy Eade.

This week we caught up with Liam Burt, Silvia Vincenzi, Dr Cayne Layton and Laura Sutton to tell you all about the Young Tassie Scientist program that takes place throughout the month of August as part of Science Week. 

Since its inception in 2003, the YTS program has involved more than 250 young scientists giving presentations in countless classrooms all over Tasmania. These scientists have also taken part in University Open Days, national Science Week events, career expos and science/ art programs, reaching many thousands of people. Media coverage has also increased over the years, and contributes to the high public awareness of National Science Week in Tasmania.

In August 2017, over 27,000 Tasmanians spoke with a Young Tassie Scientists face-to-face; that’s 5% of the state population!

Prepare to be entranced by live music, zoological oddities, wandering scientists, and amazing food and drink as the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery comes alive after dark on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th August in Hobart. For this 2019 Science Week special we chatted to some of the people that help bring this captivating event alive, including Dr Margo Adler, the founder of Beaker Street; two scientists who are delivering engaging talks on the main stage, Associate Professor Barbara Holland and Dr Indrani Mukherjee; a musical genius who will be showing off his newly invented instrument at the event, Dr Alon Ilsar; and an amiable wandering scientist with a love for jellyfish, Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin. Tune in to learn all about what’s in store at this year’s pop-up science bar, Beaker Street. 

To find out more visit www.beakerstreet.com.au

Acknowledgements:

Cover photo by Beaker Street and Dahlia Foo

Intro music: adapted Kevin McLeod Retro Future Nasty. 

We have an absolute treat for you this week as we interviewed Hobart born, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Elizabeth Blackburn. Prof. Blackburn is the first Australian Woman and only Tasmanian to receive the Nobel Prize and we interviewed her about her ground-breaking work, the impact of her work for human health, the role Tasmania played in her love for science and her experience as a woman in STEM.
This episode is part of our special feature for Tasmanian’s National Science Week campaign. Science Street Party on Saturday 3rd August from 4-8pm in Good Grief Studios focuses on celebrating the work of Tasmanian scientists by installing a street art piece with a mural of Elizabeth Blackburn. Come along to meet local scientists and see some wonderful art and science cross over. For more info or to book tickets:
https://www.facebook.com/sciencestreetparty/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1081049775420106/

What happens when you mix crazy good skills with creativity and technology? 

Paranormal investigations, microwave kilns, a wonderful safe space in the community to gain life skills and a place for children to realise their insane ideas. We’re talking about the Hobart Hackerspace. 

We have special guest Dr Tanya Mclahlan-Troup joining us on-air and clips from Hobart Hackerspace Committee members – Shane Dalgleish, Brian Marriot, David Craig and Mark Steele.

For more information about Hobart Hackerspace visit https://www.hobarthackerspace.org.au/