Along with teaching, outreach projects are of personal interest to me. I have a strong desire to defeat the stereotypes that exist in science and to overcome the "brain shutdown" response that so many people seem to experience when faced with something that requires even the slightest amount of scientific reasoning or mathematical calculation. I have found that contrary to popular belief, once high school students are engaged in science, they really enjoy it! I have managed to communicate some relatively complex concepts from my own research and the work of colleagues, which have been received with interest. Outreach and research go hand in hand. For research to be supported people must be aware of it and understand it.

Some outreach projects that I have been involved with include:

• Coordinator, Faculty of Sciences exhibition at "Science Alive" Adelaide Showground
• Outreach Ambassador and School Speaker, Faculty of Sciences University of Adelaide
• Speaker, Adelaide University Open days 2006 - 2008,
• Speaker, CSIRO "Living Science" Careers fair @Science Alive 2008, 2009
• Development of "Chemistry Changes the Climate" interactive school program for:
  The Science Experience and Maths Science Life Impact days.
• Newspaper Article: Can you believe it - Adelaide Advertiser "A mirror on life" article explains concept of chirality.
• Newspaper Article: Taking Science to the Masses - Messenger / Eastern Courier
• Video question "Climate Action" submitted to the ABC's current affairs program Q & A

If your school students or group need inspiration, call or email to arrange a presentation at your organisation.