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 2022, we're hoping to be able to deliver the lectures in person like normal. Please see your state below for more information. Please email us if you would like to host a lecture at your school. Recordings of the 2021 lectures are now available, please see below for the lastest recorded lectures.

2022 National Youth Lectures

WA Bayliss Youth Lecture 

Prof Charlie Bond and Assoc. Prof Archa Fox, The University of Western Australia, Curtin University. The Chemistry behind Covid19 and the mRNA vaccines: How were they made so quickly? 
The astonishing speed of designing the new mRNA vaccines against Covid19 was one of the remarkable features of this pandemic. But what are mRNA vaccines made of? How were they designed so quickly? Why are they so effective? And what else can we do with mRNA? In this lecture we investigate the chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology of the mRNA vaccines and the proteins they encode that train our immune systems against the SARS-COV2 virus.
Perfect for Year 10-12 students.  

Register today to attend these three lectures:

1.  7pm Tues 31 May, Wilsmore Lecture Theatre, UWA. Register here
   Light refreshments will be served after the lecture for RACI members if COVID restrictions allow.
2. 7pm Thurs 7 April 2022, Lecture Theatre, Joondalup Campus, ECU. Register here
3. 7pm Wed 22 June 2022, Resources and Chemistry Precinct, Building 500 Exhibition Space, Curtin University. Register here

Future dates for the Bayliss Youth Lecture 2022 will be announced shortly (including schools and regional venues). Any enquiries or venue suggestions should be emailed to Dino Spagnoli or Pam Chantrell. 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 

Dr Vipul Agarwal, The University of New South Wales. Polymers – a true love hate relationship 
Polymers have penetrated every aspect of our lives and became integral part of human lives. How and why did this happen? This Nyholm lecture will outline the concept of polymers and delve into their revolutionizing roles in our daily lives. Ask questions like – What are polymers? Why do we need them? How deep is our love for polymers? Why have we started hating such an integral component of our lives? What is the basis of our love-hate relationship with polymers? Where are we heading in the future?

Any enquiries or venue suggestions should be emailed to Brent Kooyman. School visits can be arranged from the start of Term 2.

NSW, VIC, QLD and SA 2022 Youth Lectures will be announced soon. 

2021 National Lectures Recordings

2020 National Lectures Recordings

Lectures by State

• 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.

• 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. 

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.