Radiation protection of astronauts in human missions to Mars: simulation and reality

**Please note: Venue details for the Public Colloquium at UQ have changed.

If you wish to attend in person, to comply with COVID-Safe plans we require you to register via Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/women-in-physics-public-colloquium-tickets-156452103453). Seating capacity is capped at 170 seats and we have already over 80 of those seats allocated to schools.

Live stream options are now available for the colloquium and the School seminar at Ipswich SHS. See the flyer below for details.**

This year A/Prof Susanna Guatelli will be presenting school seminars at 4 schools across Cairns, Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba, in addition to a public colloquium at the University of Queensland, St Lucia.

All events are free, although school events are open to school students and teaching staff only. Full details regarding times, venues and RSVP contacts are available in this flyer, or by contacting the QLD AIP branch at: aip_branchsecretary_qld@physics.org.au

A/Prof Guatelli trained as a nuclear physicist at the University of Genova, Italy, worked with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, and is now the academic director of the Medical Radiation Physics bachelor degree at the University of Wollongong.

In 2003, she undertook a PhD at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), investigating possible radiation protection solutions for human missions to Mars (a project led by the European Space Agency). Since there are no particle accelerator facilities capable of reproducing the complex cosmic radiation fields encountered in space, she has developed simulations to predict radiation interactions for astronauts and space mission habitats.

In these seminars, she will discuss the nature of these radiation hazards and the simulation tools used to address this challenge to space exploration.

The AIP-QLD is looking for nominations of Physics teachers that have made a positive impact to teaching Physics to students at the high school level by anyone of the following criteria.

Promote student interest in physics by providing an environment that stimulates student curiosity and learning.

Use, develop or write innovative instructional materials and new technologies and approaches to the teaching of physics.

Be a positive role model or mentor for other teachers of physics.

Participate in professional development activities in science as a facilitator and continuous development as an effective science educator, with a focus on physics.

If you have a colleague, a former teacher of your own, or have heard of an inspiring teacher in your circle of friends, please consider nominating them for this years award by filling out the nomination form and sending this nomination (or any inquiries) by email to:  aip_branchsecretary_qld@aip.org.au

The award consists of a cash prize, plaque and certificate.

Nominations close Friday 4 June 2021.

The AIP QLD branch would like to congratulate Shane MacDonald, from St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School who was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Prize for 2020 . Shane was awarded the 2020 prize, due to the range and depth of work he has displayed across all the criteria the award is assessed upon. This criteria includes:

• promoting student interest in physics by providing an environment that stimulates student curiosity and learning,
• using, developing or writing innovative instructional materials and new technologies and approaches to the teaching of Physics,
• be a positive role model or mentor for other teachers of physics
• participate in professional development activities in science as a facilitator and continued development as an effective science educator, with a focus on physics.

Shane MacDonald receives the Queensland Excellence in Teaching Prize for 2020

Congratulations Shane!

Do you know a deserving Physics teacher in Queensland you would like to nominate for this award in 2021?

In other news, the 2019 winner Richard Walding was acknowledged for receipt of his Excellence in Physics Teaching Award in a ceremony earlier in 2020. Moreton Bay College has kindly shared this ceremony and the presentation of the award. The ceremony can be viewed at the AIP YouTube channel or below.