17 August 2017

Year 10 students from St Aloysius College, North Melbourne, were inspired to be the next generation of scientists by hosting their Future Earth breakfast at Melbourne Zoo.

Joined by students from Ave Maria College, Aberfeldie, the students heard from Dr Jenny Gray and Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea. Dr Gray, CEO of Melbourne Zoo, has qualifications in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Business Administration and Ethics and has a wide range of public and private sector experience having worked in transportation, airlines and banking, before moving into the Zoo industry. Dr Evans-Galea has over 15 years of experience leading translational medical research programs in the United States and Australia, and her work has been internationally recognised with numerous awards. The breakfast was an opportunity for the students to discover the challenges and triumphs of pursuing a career in science.

Dr Jane Gray and Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea both gave inspiring speeches that highlighted that qualifications in STEM areas are not only essential for the future, but can lead you just about anywhere. This was a brilliant start to National Science Week and I'm glad that I was able to celebrate it with other driven students, engaging speakers and a trip to the Melbourne Zoo.
Breana, Year 10, St Aloysius College

Twenty-five Year 10 students were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to listen to Dr Jenny Gray and Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea talked about the pathways they took that led them to their science success today. Surprisingly Dr Jenny Gray has a degree in Civil engineering, not zoology or business management. She shared her story of how she got to where she is today which follows a series of amazing careers that are very different to each other. Accumulating all the experiences she had working in these different areas she was able to meet all the requirements and have enough knowledge to begin her career as the CEO of Melbourne Zoo. 

Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea shared her own inspiring ten-chapter story of how she became the person she is today which motivated us to keep expanding our knowledge in science. She advised us to embrace failure and not to do something because we are good at it but because you 'know your why'. These two women have very powerful impacts in the science industry and inspire us to continue feeding our interests in science. It's time to stop the scientists stereotype and quit drawing scientists that are balding with white coats and glasses, scientists are also hard-working and beautiful women.
Angela, Year 10, St Aloysius College

National Science Week 2017 continues until Sunday 20 August.