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Congrats to Erica on the award of her National Science Week grant

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Support for National Science Week celebrations

A Dark Matter Road trip, sharing First Nations science and drone coding are just some of the projects receiving a share of close to $500,000 in grants to support National Science Week.

With Australia’s national celebration of science and technology just around the corner, thirty-two grant recipients are gearing up to deliver a diverse range of events right across the country.

The National Science Week Grants provide funding of between $2,000 and $20,000 to support individuals and organisations to deliver community science events.

Many of the projects funded this year will support diversity and inclusion in science, with several grants supporting events featuring First Nations science and scientists, and a range of activities in remote and regional communities.

Among the grant recipients are:

  • University of Melbourne will present The National Quantum and Dark Matter Road Trip, an interactive travelling science and art show bringing quantum physics, mysterious dark matter particle physics, and creative expression to capital cities, regional and remote areas.
  • Macquarie University’s (NSW) Indigenous Science Experience @ Redfern will showcase the significance of scientific knowledge held by Indigenous Australians.
  • Two of Australia’s oldest science institutions, the Australian Museum and the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, will come together to present the Sydney Science Trail Community Days, bringing science alive in meaningful and accessible ways through hands-on activities, talks, shows and a STEM Expo.
  • Monash University will host stage two multisensory science exhibitions for primary and secondary students with low vision, blindness, and diverse needs.  [see below]
  • Mount Burnett Observatory (Victoria) volunteers will take over a football oval to present Footy Oval Astronomy, a free event for the local community and emergency services volunteers.
  • The MicroToons (WA) microbiology animation project showcase will empower people with autism and their peers to engage in science, technology and art.
  • Charles Darwin University (NT) will host drone coding and programming workshops in Katherine and Darwin with young Australians from top-end, remote communities.

National Science Week 2023 runs from 12 to 20 August and will feature a combination of online and in-person events across Australia.

The 2023 school theme for National Science Week is ‘Innovation: Powering Future Industries’. The theme is based on the advancement of technology in all industries, especially using artificial intelligence.

The full list of 2023 National Science Week Grant recipients is available at www.scienceweek.net.au/national-grant-round-recipients-for-2023/

Quotes attributable to the Hon Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science:

“National Science Week is one of my favourite events of the year, an opportunity to celebrate the staggering amount of great science happening all over Australia.

“Last year 1.9 million Australians – the highest number ever – joined in National Science Week celebrations around the country.

“These grants play an important role in inspiring young Australians to pursue a STEM career.

“This year’s celebrations will help promote diversity and inclusion in Australian science and technology, with exciting and engaging events planned in a number of regional and remote communities.

“Indigenous Australians are our first scientists, and they bring tens of thousands of years of expertise. I am so pleased to see many of this year’s grants supporting events involving First Nations scientists.

“Over the coming months, I encourage you to keep an eye out for more information on National Science Week celebrations in your community.”

Original article

Erica’s project summary:

This Project seeks funding to stage two multisensory science exhibitions for 2023 National Science Week. The Exhibitions are aimed at late primary through to secondary students with low vision, blindness, and diverse needs.
Exhibition content will focus on the importance of human immunity, infection, cancer, nutrition and gut health, created by preeminent Australian scientists and researchers. Works will include interactive multisensory books, tactile art, posters, sculptures and data sonification. The exhibitions will be hosted by project partners and leaders supporting blind and low vision children with special needs including; the Victorian Statewide Vision Resource Centre (Melbourne) and NextSense (Macquarie University Sydney).

Please check back shortly for further information on these exhibitions and how to register.

Can’t wait? Come along to our Monash Sensory Science Exhibition on Autoimmunity this June – see here for further info.

 

Congratulations Erica – Finalist of the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year – Science in the Arts

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The Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year ( 1-10 November) will highlight breakthrough thinking from around the world. Over the past months, they have received over 900 nominations from 111 countries.

They are delighted to introduce the finalists and present their science breakthroughs of the year in these ten categories: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities, Science in the Arts, Digital Education, Science and Innovation Management, Emerging Talents, Science Start-Ups, Science Engagement Initiatives.

Breaking the Wall of Disabled Access to Science – Erica Tandori (Artist in residence, Rossjohn lab, Monash university)

Lying at the intersection between art, science and blindness, Tandori’s exhibitions use interactive sculptures to engage and inspire audiences of all ages and abilities. Her breakthrough is making art and science exhibitions inclusive, accessible and available to everyone globally.

Tags: Artificial Intelligence, Discrimination, Diversity, Education, Science Communication

Watch Erica’s presentation of her breakthrough below:

Erica Tandori is a legally blind artist, researcher and academic. She explores the intersections of art, vision loss and science. Tandori’s PhD focused on capturing the entoptic effects of her retinal disease through art, conveying an ‘eye-witness’ account of blindness. As resident artist at the Rossjohn Lab, Monash University, Erica creates multi-sensory, multi-modal artworks communicating biomedical research to blind and low-vision audiences. This inspires people of all ages and abilities to learn, understand and appreciate the wonders of science.

 

Other Science in the arts finalists

Further information:

FALLING WALLS AND BERLIN SCIENCE WEEK, THE WORLD SCIENCE SUMMIT:

Falling Walls and Berlin Science Week invite you to this year’s World Science Summit, held remotely from 1 – 10 November 2020. This year we shift from physical events to a global virtual showcase, with free digital access for everyone. We acknowledge the combined effort of scientists worldwide to overcome the pandemic, and its many effects. Make sure to attend this event, where some of the world’s best researchers gather to discuss and celebrate the most recent breakthroughs in science and society from all over the world.

WHEN

1 – 10 November 2020, with a daily science highlight programme at Noon GMT (13.00 Berlin Time) and the Grand Finale on 9 November

WHAT

500+ speakers, 200+ sessions, 1 digital platform with live-streamed breakthroughs, expert panels, workshops and lectures

WHERE

Completely remote – Free digital access from wherever you are plus selected physical events in Berlin

Adapted from Falling walls, Remote 2020

Vision Australia Radio interview – Erica on accessibility in the arts

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Kenneth Phua recently invited Dr Erica Tandori of Monash University onto his program ‘Seeing Without Eyes’ to discuss accessibility in the arts. Art can be and should be accessible to the total population and not just a select few. If you love the arts, this is an interview highlight from Vision Australia Radio in Perth that you shouldn’t miss.

Original article

Vision Australia Radio interview – Erica on Art & Ophthalmology

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Kenneth Phua recently invited Dr Erica Tandori of Monash University onto his program ‘Seeing Without Eyes’ to discuss accessibility in the arts. Kenneth enjoyed the discussion so much he invited Erica back once again to hear more about her career. Erica discusses her vision loss, her experience of dealing with the medical industry and finding a way forward with her passion for visual art.

Original article

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Congratulations to Erica Tandori

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Our artist in residence, Erica is one of eighteen local creative practitioners and collectives that have received support through the Creators Fund to undertake intensive research, experimentation and development that will take their careers, practice and businesses to a new level.

An initiative of the Creative State strategy, the Creators Fund takes inspiration from initiatives in the science and technology sectors by offering practitioners support to undertake the R&D that underpins major new projects, products and discoveries.

The latest Creators will take between 3-6 months out from their regular practice to focus on learning new skills, working with mentors, exploring new technologies and undertaking creative experiments.

154 applications were received for the latest round. The 18 Creators will share in grants totalling $679,086.

Erica Tandori, Total funding $30,270

Development and exploration of ways to incorporate interactive, novel display and robotic technologies, as well as living organisms, into future sculptural artworks that use food, clay and paper to convey key biomedicine concepts to low vision and blind audiences.

Original article