Curiosity Built the Boilerhouse

Christopher Abbott and Dr Kirsti Abbott

Christopher Abbott is a philanthropist and founder of the Abbott foundation. His work towards supporting early childhood education in Australia lead to the inception of the Boilerhouse Discovery Space and continues to support its development. Dr Kirsti Abbott is a scientist and science communicator, and is the Program Leader of UNE Discovery. Kirsti has managed the design and development of the Boilerhouse. In this final episode of Season One of Curiosity Built the Boilerhouse we hear about how this journey started, and what we can expect to see in the future.

Find out more about the Boilerhouse Discovery Space

Music: ‘Phat in the Flat’ by Podington Bear (Used under licence - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0)

Rebekah Collins and SparkLab

Rebekah Collins is the manager of SparkLab at the Queensland Museum. SparkLab is a hands-on interactive science centre that invites visitors to explore, experiment, and learn through self-guided experiences. In this interview we talk about how Rebekah and her team went about designing SparkLab from scratch, and how they decided what kind of experiences they wanted visitors to have. We also talk about the challenges of running a hands-on science centre in a post-pandemic world where cleanliness and sanitisation is a constant concern. 

Find out more about SparkLab

Find out more about the Boilerhouse Discovery Space

Music: ‘Phat in the Flat’ by Podington Bear (Used under licence - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0)

Dr Lorien Parker and SciencePlay Kids

Lorien Parker founded SciencePlay Kids to inspire young children by showing them that science is everywhere and in everything. After beginning her career as a medical research scientist, Lorien decided to change gears and become a small business owner bringing science education experiences to communities in Victoria. In this interview we chat the challenges involved in a research career that made Lorien decide to change directions and embark on her new mission. We also chat about how understanding scientific principles can empower kids to create and explore the world around them.

Find out more about SciencePlay Kids

Find out more about the Boilerhouse Discovery Space

Music: ‘Phat in the Flat’ by Podington Bear (Used under licence - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0)

Jackie Randles and Inspiring Australia

Jackie Randles is the NSW Manager of Inspiring Australia, a government backed initiative to create meaningful connections between scientists and society. Often this takes the form of science themed events that invite communities to come along, learn about science, meet a real scientist and get to know what real science is like. In this interview we talk about Jackie’s working bringing together Regional Science Hubs, groups of individuals and organisations that work together to present science events to regional communities across NSW.

Find out more about Inspiring Australia

Find out more about the Boilerhouse Discovery Space

Music: ‘Phat in the Flat’ by Podington Bear (Used under licence - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0)

Dr Dorothy Smith on STEM education

Dr Dorothy Smith is the head of STEM education at the University of New England. In this interview we talk about the challenges of teaching STEM in the face of student disengagement, and rampant misinformation. We also talk about how effective science education lies in making concepts relatable and relevant to students. Having recently joined UNE, Dorothy is looking forward to collaborating with teachers and researchers in the New England region.

Find out more about the Boilerhouse Discovery Space

Music: ‘Phat in the Flat’ by Podington Bear (Used under licence - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0)

Naomi Blakey and Tamworth Powerstation Museum

Naomi Blakey is the Cultural Collections Officer for Tamworth Regional Council. In this interview we talk about the Tamworth Powerstation Museum, a volunteer run, community driven museum that celebrates the history of electricity. Naomi takes us on a tour through the museum’s collections and tells some of the stories behind the collections. We also chat about the mammoth task of moving collections into online repositories and the challenges of running cultural institutions and public spaces during a global pandemic.

Find out more about Tamworth Powerstation Museum

Find out more about the Boilerhouse Discovery Space

Music: ‘Phat in the Flat’ by Podington Bear (Used under licence - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0)

Kathy Stubberfield and Laura Snow on Twisted Science

Kathy Stubberfield founded Twisted Science, or the Scientwists as it was known then, back in 2005, doing kids science shows. Fifteen years later Twisted Science has a science centre in Echuca in regional Victoria, and is now expanding its horizons and opening a new science centre in Melbourne. Laura Snow is the Operations Manager of Twisted Science in Echuca oversees the management of their custom designed interactive science centre. In this interview we chat about the importance of bringing science education to underserved regional communities and the challenges of communicating complex science to diverse communities.

Find out more about Twisted Science

Find out more about the Boilerhouse Discovery Space

Music: ‘Phat in the Flat’ by Podington Bear (Used under licence - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0)

Alissa Van Soest and the Discovery Science and Technology Centre

Alissa Van Soest is a science communicator at the Discovery Science and Technology Centre in Bendigo, Victoria. In this interview Alissa takes us on a tour through the centre and its immersive educational experiences. We talk about the challenges of balancing education and entertainment in science outreach, and how science education isn’t just about understanding complex topics, but learning how to ask questions, solve problems and challenge your own boundaries.

Find out more about the Discovery Science and Technology Centre

Find out more about the Boilerhouse Discovery Space

Music: ‘Phat in the Flat’ by Podington Bear (Used under licence - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0)

Jared Wilkins and Questacon

Jared Wilkins is the Senior Manager of National Programs at Questacon, Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre. In this interview we talk about how Questacon’s programs extend far beyond the building itself and include nationwide touring shows and experiences including the Shell Questacon Science Circus and the Questacon Invention Convention. We also talk about how their diverse programs and activities can form life-long relationships between Questacon and the communities they support.

Find out more about Questacon

Find out more about the Boilerhouse Discovery Space

Music: ‘Phat in the Flat’ by Podington Bear (Used under licence - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0)

Dr Bobby Cerini and Questacon

Bobby Cerini is the Director of Science and Learning at Questacon, Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre. In this interview we talk about the mammoth challenge of managing such an expansive and iconic institution, and the responsibilities that come with this role. We also talk about how science centres cannot operate in isolation, and how science centres across Australia can all contribute to one big ‘ecosystem’ bringing education and inspiration across the country.

Find out more about Questacon

Find out more about the Boilerhouse Discovery Space

Music: ‘Phat in the Flat’ by Podington Bear (Used under licence - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0)