In August during National Science Week the first ever Government Scientists Group STEM Expo was held in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra. The Expo showcased STEM careers and activities in government agencies. Over 1500 people attended in person and over 600 people watched the event’s livestream.
Targeted at high-school students, university students and STEM professionals of all ages, the event was organised by the Office of the Australian Chief Scientist - Dr Cathy Foley, and brought together 26 government agencies involved in the Government Scientists Group - including the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The department hosted an exhibition booth to highlight the versatility and breadth of the department’s scientific expertise. Departmental staff were also on hand to answer questions and share their own experiences of working in STEM careers in government.
Two of the department’s entomologists captivated visitors to the booth with demonstrations of their dissecting microscope and specimens of priority plant pests. Spot the robotic detector dog was also in attendance at the event and stole the show with his antics.
The event included presentations from staff from multiple agencies, with department staff presenting on the National Detector Dog Program and the advanced 3D x-ray technology being used at international airports to intercept biosecurity risks such as fruit, plants, seeds and insects in mail and on travellers. There was also a presentation from a diagnostician about the advanced molecular techniques used in identifying plant pests, pathogens and weeds that are exotic to Australia.
Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith is the department’s representative on the Government Scientists Group, which aims to build awareness of shared contributions to the national science agenda, coordinating across agencies to enhance impact. The group was established in 2021 by Dr Cathy Foley to bring together chief scientists or equivalent representatives from Australian Government departments, agencies and regulators with a science capability.
