Girls in Physics Breakfast

FLEET is proud to support the Melbourne Girls in Physics Breakfasts.

Dark matter: It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together. But what it is it really? Are we sure it exists at all? Can it really be explained by tiny invisible particles? I’ll get you up to date on what we know so far about dark matter, how we’re searching for it, and how it differs from the other big cosmic mystery of the day, dark energy.

Each year the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) appoints a ‘Women in Physics’ lecturer. Her role is to visit each state and territory to give a series a talks at schools and universities. Every second year the lecturer comes from Australia. In the alternate years, the lecturer comes from overseas.

In 2017 the lecturer is Dr Katie Mack from the University of Melbourne. Dr Mack is a theoretical astrophysicist. Her work focuses on finding new ways to learn about the early universe and fundamental physics using astronomical observations, probing the building blocks of nature by examining the cosmos on the largest scales. Throughout her career as a researcher at Caltech, Princeton, Cambridge, and now Melbourne University, she has studied dark matter, black holes, cosmic strings, and the formation of the first galaxies in the Universe. Katie is also an active science communicator and is passionate about science outreach. As a science writer, she has been published by Slate, Sky & Telescope, Time.com, and other popular publications, and has been a columnist for Cosmos Magazine.

Two Girls in Physics Breakfasts are being organised, with the next one being Tuesday, 15th August, 7:00am – 8:45am at La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus.

Teachers can book up to six girls per school. The cost is $15 per student, there is no charge for one teacher, the cost for additional teachers is $15 each. If a teacher would like to bring extra students, please contact Vicphysics.

Students will be seated at tables with students from other schools. At each table there will be two young women either in the early stages of a science or engineering career or still studying at university. Over breakfast, the students can query them about their life and work.

There will be time for questions at the end, so bring your own!

For further details, see http://www.vicphysics.org/girls.html. Bookings via Trybooking must be made by Friday 4 August.