Lakeside Senior Girls Attend Physics Breakfast

The Vic Physics Girls in Physics Breakfast for students in Years 10 – 12 was held in the Kensington Town Hall on Friday July 24. 

Five of our girls, accompanied by Ms. Sophie Fernandez of the Science Faculty, shared breakfast at tables with women with a career in physics or engineering or studying those subjects at university. The students had the opportunity to ask them questions about what these women do, what they like about their job and what being at university is like.

Dr Karelle Siellez of the University of Tasmania was the guest speaker. She delivered a presentation titled ‘Painting the Universe: A Visual and Musical Exploration of Space-Time’, in which she weaved together sound, art, and astrophysics to explore the story of gravitational waves and the collisions that create the elements we are made of.’ A number of local women working in or researching physics and STEM also contributed. Dr Siellez’s presentation was followed by question time. After this followed two activities on Careers in STEM: 1. Quiz and Job Roles Analysis, and 2) Case Studies analysis, and after that there was a Q&A with a panel of guests.

Ms. Fernandez (Lakeside science teacher):

The breakfast was an enlightening and inspiring excursion for everyone who attended. The main presenter was an incredible astrophysicist, and all of the guests helped to encourage the girls to reach for the stars with physics (pun intended)!

Lakshanya (Lakeside science student):

The Girls in Physics Breakfast allowed me the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, hear the inspiring words of Dr Siellez, and meet other accomplished women in the field of STEM. We were seated with girls from various schools and women who were currently in the field of science. I enjoyed conversing with the table I was assigned to and learning about their VCE subjects and academic achievements. I am very thankful for the experience, and would highly recommend attending! 

Nevil Schultz

Science and Physics Teacher