National Youth Lecture Series


Throughout Australia, we provide access to inspiring chemical scientists via our Secondary School chemistry Youth Lecture series. Each year, these lectures cover a diverse range of engaging topics with the aim of inspiring students in a career in Chemistry.

In 2021, we're hoping to be able to deliver the lectures in person like normal. Please see your state below for more information. Most states will be providing lectures online in some form. Please email us if you would like to host a lecture at your school. 

2021 National Youth Lectures

WA Bayliss Youth Lecture

Prof Gretchen Benedix, Curtin University. Life in the Universe: Astrobiology and Water in Space. 
Understand how we can use the study of meteorites, planets in our solar system, and stars in the nearby universe to try and find the answer to this question - “Are we alone in the Universe?”
Perfect for Year 10-12 students.  

Future dates for the Bayliss Youth Lecture 2021 will be announced shortly (including schools and regional venues). Any enquiries or venue suggestions should be emailed to Dino Spagnoli or Ben Fletcher. School visits can be arranged from the start of Term 2. A recording of the lecture will be made available online as well, please email Ben Fletcher to register your interest. 

 

 

NSW Nyholm Youth Lecture 1

Dr Edith Chow, CSIRO. Nanotechnology: why is small so big? 
Through microscopic lenses we invite you on a journey to the nano world with Dr Edith Chow from CSIRO. Together we will explore some beautiful things in nature such as the iridescent colour of butterfly wings and the self-cleaning properties of lotus leaves which arise from special nano properties. In this fun and interactive lecture, Edith will draw from practical examples on how these fascinating tiny materials and devices have transformed our everyday lives.

Future dates for the Nyholm Youth Lecture 2021 will be announced shortly (including schools and regional venues). Any enquiries or venue suggestions should be emailed to the RACI NSW Branch. School visits can be arranged from the start of Term 2 (subject to COVID restrictions).

 

NSW Nyholm Youth Lecture 2

Dr Amandeep Kaur, University of Sydney. Let’s take Cellfies - Zooming in with a microscope 

This Nyhlom lecture will take students on a journey through the microscopic living world. I will discuss how we can use our understanding of light rays and optics (physical world) to understand the structure and functions of the living world. Together we will delve into the dynamic realm of our cells, such as the cell’s own public transport system (motor proteins) and discover the cells’ defense system to fight disease-causing micro-organisms. The lecture will include practical examples of how microscopes have evolved from the traditional bench-top models and transformed the level of detail we can see when clicking Cellfies and recording videos of our exciting living world. 

Future dates for the Nyholm Youth Lecture 2021 will be announced shortly (including schools and regional venues). Any enquiries or venue suggestions should be emailed to the RACI NSW Branch. School visits can be arranged from the start of Term 2 (subject to COVID restrictions).

 

QLD O'Donnell Youth Lecture

Dr Nathan Boase, Queensland University of Technology. Plastic Fantastic! Or not so Fantastic? 
Plastics are everywhere in the news at the moment, with society trying to fight ‘the war on waste’. But what exactly are plastics? What are they made up of? Why were they so popular in the late 20th century? This lecture will focus on the molecules that make up plastics, called polymers, and will use demonstrations and examples to answer key questions. How the chemical structure of polymers create the unique properties that have been favoured for so long? Why polymers can create problems for waste management? What else can polymers be used for other than straws and sandwich wrappers? We will also look to the future of polymers and plastics and the role they will play far into the 21st century.

If you would like to book a 45-60min lecture at your school, please download the Expression of Interest form here. School visits can be arranged from the start of Term 2. Please email the completed form to Pam Chantrell, RACI QLD Coordinator here. 

VIC Hartung Youth Lecture

Speaker will be announced shortly

Future dates for the Hartung Youth Lecture 2021 will be announced shortly (including schools and regional venues). Any enquiries or venue suggestions should be emailed to the RACI VIC Branch. School visits are usually arranged in Science Week, 15-23 August 2021 (subject to COVID restrictions).

2020 National Lectures

2020 Lecture 1: WA. Dr Georgina Sauzier, Curtin University, Shining a Light on Crime

2020 Lecture 3: NSW. Dr Adam Martin, Macquarie University. How Metal is Keeping You Alive

2020 Lecture 2: VIC. Dr Jessica Holien, RMIT, Discovering my passion for Chemistry

2020 Lecture 4. NSW. Dr Edith Chow, CSIRO. Nanotechnology: why is small so big?

Lectures by State

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  • NSW: Nyholm Lecture Series

    • The Nyholm Lecture Series commemorates Sir Ronald S. Nyholm (1917-1971), Fellow of the Royal Society. An outstanding Australian researcher and passionate chemical educator, Sir Ronald's career was cut short at its peak in a tragic motor vehicle accident.

      A feature of the Lectures is their practical content and interactive presentation style. The content will be approachable and suitable for Year 9 through to year 12 students although principally aimed at year 9 and 10 students.  

  • QLD: The O'Donnell Schools Lecture Series

    • The RACI Queensland Schools Lecture series was introduced in 1980 by the Chemical Education Group of the Qld Branch of the RACI. At that time the Education Group was headed by Professor Jim O’Donnell, the resident Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Queensland. Sadly, Jim passed away in 1995 and the Schools Lecture Series has been subsequently renamed for him. The Lecture is open to students in Grade 11 and 12 studying chemistry/science, & students in Junior Secondary interested in studying chemistry/science to Grade 12 may also attend.

      Due to COVID-19, the RACI O'Donnell School Lecture Tour has been cancelled for 2020

      View The O’Donnell Schools Lecture 2019

  • SA:   The Stranks Memorial Lecture

    • These lectures commemorate Professor Donald Stranks AO who was Head of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Adelaide from 1964 to 1973, then Vice Chancellor from 1977 until his death in 1986. He was also Foundation Chair of the RACI Chemical Education Group in SA

      The lectures are mostly aimed at chemistry students from year 11 and 12 and have SACE syllabus links. However, some recent topics have included more widely inspirational and educational content to engage year 9 and 10 students and the public.

      Organised by the Chemical Education Group of the SA Branch, the first Stranks Memorial Lecture was held in 1991.


      Click here for details of the 2019 Stranks Memorial Lecture

  • TAS: Tasmanian RACI Youth Lecture

    • The Tasmanian Branch organises, conducts and tours an annual youth lecture for upper primary to college age school students. The lecture is usually delivered during the September-October period at several locations around Tasmania including Hobart, Launceston and Devonport.

      Lecturers may hail from inter or intrastate, and where possible themes involving colour, movement and/or sound (or some combination thereof) are targeted. A small fee is charged (per student) to attend each lecture.


      Click here for details of the 2018 Tasmanian Youth Lecture

  • VIC:  Hartung Youth Lectures

    • The Hartung Youth Lectures aim to inspire students in years 9-12 and are designed to be an engaging and educational experience, in the tradition of the lectures given by Professor Hartung over 50 years ago. Lectures are usually presented as part of National Science Week.

      Click here to view details of the 2019 Hartung Lecture

  • WA:  Bayliss Lecture Series

    • The Western Australian Branch of RACI established the Bayliss Youth Lecture Series in 1971 to pay tribute to the late emeritus professor Sir Noel Bayliss, Kt, CBE, FAA, FRACI for his contributions to chemistry and education – and to encourage in young people an interest in chemistry.

      The lectures are given by inspirational chemistry speakers from academe and industry aimed at high school students from Year 9 and the general public. Recent topics have included forensic science, conservation and medicinal chemistry.

      The 2021 Bayliss Youth Lecture is organised by the Chemical Education Group of the Western Australian Branch of the RACI with support from Rowe Scientific, Curtain University, The University of Western Australia and the Northern Territory Branch of the RACI. 

      2021 Lecturer is Prof Gretchen Benedix, Curtin University speaking on Life in the Universe: Astrobiology and Water in Space. Future dates will be announced shortly (including schools and regional venues). Click here for more information. 

      2020 Lecture was given by Dr Georgina Sauzier MRACI CChem from Curtin University, and was titled, ‘Shining a Light on Crime: Applications of Spectroscopy to Forensic Science'. Click here to watch the lecture.