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Gold medal science
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Australia's top scientists, science educators and science communicators have been recognised with gold in the supernova of science awards, the 2012 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
It's been a year of eureka moments in Australian science with discoveries ranging from a possible cure for HIV to a new way of making music and novel techniques for conserving phosphorus, a little-known building block of life. Beyond the labs, there has been excellence in science journalism, such as the breathtaking Manta Ray documentary by Gisela Kaufmann and Casten Orlt. And in the classroom, inspired teaching by Geoff McNamara has linked high school students with working scientists.
These are a handful of the 19 winners in the 23rd Australian Museum Eureka Prizes - Australia's most comprehensive national science awards. Fifty-six finalists travelled from around the country to attend the gala award dinner last night, competing for a share of $180,000. At Sydney's Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park, they were cheered and celebrated by an audience of living legends, industry leaders, journalists, researchers, policy makers and enthusiasts.
"The winners of the 23rd Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are a testament to the imagination and innovation driving Australian science today," says Frank Howarth, Director of the Australian Museum. "These outstanding men and women are helping to improve our lives and our planet in countless ways."
ABC TV's Catalyst will broadcast a 2012 Eureka Prizes Special on Thursday 30 August at 8pm on ABC1. Science lovers can turn on to find out the winners of Australia's leading science's prizes and tune in to learn about the best of Australian ingenuity.
