Comments for Chief Scientist of Australia http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:33:23 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 Comment on Launch of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute Summer School by Anonymous http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2012/01/launch-of-the-australian-mathematical-sciences-institute-summer-school/comment-page-1/#comment-1100 Anonymous Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:33:23 +0000 http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/?p=3984#comment-1100 One thing that could be done is to make it easier for people who already have a PhD in mathematics or statistics to study for a Dip Ed. Apparently if you already have a PhD, then you are ineligible for Austudy. So having a PhD is sort of a barrier to becoming a high school teacher. I'm being a bit self-serving here - I have a PhD in maths and am interested in doing a Dip Ed! One thing that could be done is to make it easier for people who already have a PhD in mathematics or statistics to study for a Dip Ed. Apparently if you already have a PhD, then you are ineligible for Austudy. So having a PhD is sort of a barrier to becoming a high school teacher.

I’m being a bit self-serving here – I have a PhD in maths and am interested in doing a Dip Ed!

]]> Comment on Health of Australian Science Report by ACooper http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2011/10/health-of-australian-science-report/comment-page-1/#comment-1011 ACooper Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:54:13 +0000 http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/?p=3822#comment-1011 Hi Harish, One of the Chief Scientist's key roles is to be an advocate for science and through that activity, help raise awareness in the community about the valuable contribution that science makes to our every endeavour. While the Health of Australian Science report aims to identify gaps in our scientific expertise, our other activities, including this website, speeches by the Chief Scientist to schools, industry and the general public, and media appearances are all attempts to improve the public's knowledge of the way science works and it's value to the prosperity of our country. There is still much to be done, and there are many organisations across Australia attempting to do just that. Kind regards, Antonio Mozqueira Executive Director - Office of the Chief Scientist Hi Harish,
One of the Chief Scientist’s key roles is to be an advocate for science and through that activity, help raise awareness in the community about the valuable contribution that science makes to our every endeavour. While the Health of Australian Science report aims to identify gaps in our scientific expertise, our other activities, including this website, speeches by the Chief Scientist to schools, industry and the general public, and media appearances are all attempts to improve the public’s knowledge of the way science works and it’s value to the prosperity of our country. There is still much to be done, and there are many organisations across Australia attempting to do just that.

Kind regards,
Antonio Mozqueira
Executive Director – Office of the Chief Scientist

]]> Comment on Health of Australian Science Report by harish http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2011/10/health-of-australian-science-report/comment-page-1/#comment-1007 harish Thu, 20 Oct 2011 05:08:45 +0000 http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/?p=3822#comment-1007 It's purely antecdotal but it feels like the amount of science literacy has gotten worse in recent years. What can we do to reverse that trend? Should we throw money at it? Give incentives to schools that do well in science? Make the standardized tests harder? More scholarships for science majors? Start a new PR campaign that makes science cool? Have the government appoint someone as a Science Ambassador? What do you think would work best? It’s purely antecdotal but it feels like the amount of science literacy has gotten worse in recent years. What can we do to reverse that trend? Should we throw money at it? Give incentives to schools that do well in science? Make the standardized tests harder? More scholarships for science majors? Start a new PR campaign that makes science cool? Have the government appoint someone as a Science Ambassador? What do you think would work best?

]]> Comment on 20th Anniversary of the Monash Institute for Medical Research by Stephanie http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2011/09/20th-anniversary-of-the-monash-institute-for-medical-research/comment-page-1/#comment-990 Stephanie Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:29:00 +0000 http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/?p=3790#comment-990 Fantastic Speech Prof. Chubb - Was a really enjoyable read. Would have been great to see you in person when you delivered it. I'm only in my first year of a science degree, and I'm glad you mentioned the future for the next generation of scientists. Many of my tutors are uncertain as to whether we will find it easy to find a place within the scientific workforce. However, I am keen as mustard on the sciences and I'm fairly sure if there are people out there like yourself pushing points like this the science industry will continue to flourish. Fantastic Speech Prof. Chubb – Was a really enjoyable read. Would have been great to see you in person when you delivered it.
I’m only in my first year of a science degree, and I’m glad you mentioned the future for the next generation of scientists. Many of my tutors are uncertain as to whether we will find it easy to find a place within the scientific workforce. However, I am keen as mustard on the sciences and I’m fairly sure if there are people out there like yourself pushing points like this the science industry will continue to flourish.

]]> Comment on National Science Week Launch by ACooper http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2011/08/national-science-week-launch/comment-page-1/#comment-960 ACooper Wed, 24 Aug 2011 02:21:28 +0000 http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/?p=3752#comment-960 Dear Jan, Professor Chubb thanks you for your comments and has asked me to prepare a reply on his behalf. We believe you are absolutely correct - a good understanding of mathematics is crucial to a successful science career, and even simply for our day to day lives. The Chief Scientist is aware that the two are often inextricably linked and works to promote mathematics as an enabling skill in much the same way as he promotes science and also engineering- through his speeches, in his interactions with students and on his website. For example, under the Parents, Kids and Teachers section of the website you will find a number of articles promoting the value of mathematics, including one that we sourced from the Australian Mathematical Science Institute. Thank you for writing to us on this mater. Antonion Mozquiera Executive Director, Office of the Chief Scientist Dear Jan,
Professor Chubb thanks you for your comments and has asked me to prepare a reply on his behalf. We believe you are absolutely correct – a good understanding of mathematics is crucial to a successful science career, and even simply for our day to day lives. The Chief Scientist is aware that the two are often inextricably linked and works to promote mathematics as an enabling skill in much the same way as he promotes science and also engineering- through his speeches, in his interactions with students and on his website. For example, under the Parents, Kids and Teachers section of the website you will find a number of articles promoting the value of mathematics, including one that we sourced from the Australian Mathematical Science Institute.
Thank you for writing to us on this mater.
Antonion Mozquiera
Executive Director, Office of the Chief Scientist

]]> Comment on National Science Week Launch by Jan Thomas http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2011/08/national-science-week-launch/comment-page-1/#comment-956 Jan Thomas Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:27:27 +0000 http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/?p=3752#comment-956 Dear Prof. Chubb I know this is science week but science depends on mathematics. It is a very Australian thing to talk up science without mentioning mathematics and I don't think it is serving young people well. Students doing Year 12 Physics and no mathematics is silly but it happens. Please help young people see the connections with being a good scientist and mathematics. Jan Thomas Dear Prof. Chubb
I know this is science week but science depends on mathematics. It is a very Australian thing to talk up science without mentioning mathematics and I don’t think it is serving young people well. Students doing Year 12 Physics and no mathematics is silly but it happens. Please help young people see the connections with being a good scientist and mathematics.

Jan Thomas

]]> Comment on Professor Ian Chubb appointed as Chief Scientist by RRichter http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2011/04/new-chief-scientist-appointed/comment-page-1/#comment-914 RRichter Wed, 20 Apr 2011 08:21:31 +0000 http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/?p=3397#comment-914 [posted by the Office of the Chief Scientist] Thank you for your comment. Professor Chubb deems communication with the broader community on science issues to be an important part of the role of Chief Scientist, as mentioned in his interview with 7.30 last night http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3196037.htm [posted by the Office of the Chief Scientist] Thank you for your comment. Professor Chubb deems communication with the broader community on science issues to be an important part of the role of Chief Scientist, as mentioned in his interview with 7.30 last night http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3196037.htm

]]> Comment on Professor Ian Chubb appointed as Chief Scientist by Dr John Devon http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2011/04/new-chief-scientist-appointed/comment-page-1/#comment-910 Dr John Devon Tue, 19 Apr 2011 05:39:18 +0000 http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/?p=3397#comment-910 One could congratulate the Government for this choice if it were just for the scientific authority Professor Chubb will bring into the office. However, his predecessor, Professor Sackett, had a quality that may be sorely missed with the new Chief Scientist - being a wonderful communicator. Given the importance the Government is placing on the 'Inspiring Australia' initiative, one can only hope that Professor Chubb will also connect with the broader community, particularly important in the current anti-science climate that appears to take hold in the Australian society. One could congratulate the Government for this choice if it were just for the scientific authority Professor Chubb will bring into the office. However, his predecessor, Professor Sackett, had a quality that may be sorely missed with the new Chief Scientist – being a wonderful communicator. Given the importance the Government is placing on the ‘Inspiring Australia’ initiative, one can only hope that Professor Chubb will also connect with the broader community, particularly important in the current anti-science climate that appears to take hold in the Australian society.

]]> Comment on Professor Ian Chubb appointed as Chief Scientist by Steph http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2011/04/new-chief-scientist-appointed/comment-page-1/#comment-909 Steph Tue, 19 Apr 2011 04:57:16 +0000 http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/?p=3397#comment-909 Best of luck Professor Chubb - You sound like a fantastic man for the job. Best of luck Professor Chubb – You sound like a fantastic man for the job.

]]> Comment on Picturesque particle collisions – Auroras explained by RRichter http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2011/03/picturesque-particle-collisions-%e2%80%93-auroras-explained/comment-page-1/#comment-878 RRichter Tue, 22 Mar 2011 05:47:36 +0000 http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/?p=3118#comment-878 [posted by the Office of the Chief Scientist] Thank you for your comments Pat, regarding the visibility of the Aurora Australis from the south coast of Western Australia. Though auroral activity is most commonly seen at polar latitudes, the auroras in both hemispheres can sometimes be seen at lower latitudes, including sites in southern areas of Australia. The Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC) at the US Government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a guide to the visibility of the aurora at any given time and location (<a href="http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/Aurora/" rel="nofollow">http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/Aurora/</a>). The Australian Antarctic Division’s Atmospheric and Space Physics group notes that the aurora is more likely to be seen in Australia during maxima in the approximately 11-year sunspot cycle, but this does not rule out auroral activity at other times (<a href="http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/fact-files/atmosphere/aurora" rel="nofollow">http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/fact-files/atmosphere/aurora</a>). The Ionospheric Prediction Service (<a href="http://www.ips.gov.au/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ips.gov.au/</a>), part of the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, provides access to historical data on sunspot cycles as well as predictions of solar activity over the next few years. Recent sunspot maxima occurred in ~1979-80, 1989, and 2000. The next peak is forecast to occur in April 2013. Auroral activity is somewhat more prevalent in spring and autumn (around the equinoxes) for reasons that are still not completely understood (see: <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/23sep_auroraseason/" rel="nofollow">http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/23sep_auroraseason/</a>). We hope this provides you with some information to help answer your query, and we wish you good luck aurora-spotting. [posted by the Office of the Chief Scientist] Thank you for your comments Pat, regarding the visibility of the Aurora Australis from the south coast of Western Australia. Though auroral activity is most commonly seen at polar latitudes, the auroras in both hemispheres can sometimes be seen at lower latitudes, including sites in southern areas of Australia. The Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC) at the US Government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a guide to the visibility of the aurora at any given time and location (http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/Aurora/).

The Australian Antarctic Division’s Atmospheric and Space Physics group notes that the aurora is more likely to be seen in Australia during maxima in the approximately 11-year sunspot cycle, but this does not rule out auroral activity at other times (http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/fact-files/atmosphere/aurora).

The Ionospheric Prediction Service (http://www.ips.gov.au/), part of the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, provides access to historical data on sunspot cycles as well as predictions of solar activity over the next few years. Recent sunspot maxima occurred in ~1979-80, 1989, and 2000. The next peak is forecast to occur in April 2013. Auroral activity is somewhat more prevalent in spring and autumn (around the equinoxes) for reasons that are still not completely understood (see: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/23sep_auroraseason/).

We hope this provides you with some information to help answer your query, and we wish you good luck aurora-spotting.

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