STEAM Careers Online Forum - Future Careers
This is a careers forum with purpose. Each semester, Science Gallery Melbourne will introduce your students to inspiring people who work to solve some of our most pressing global and local challenges that we as a community face.
Students will hear not only about career journeys and industry connections, but how these professionals work across science, technology, engineering, arts and maths and use a range of transferable skills in the ways they work to make a difference in the world.
In this edition of our STEAM Careers Online Forums, we will focus on Future Careers, including the rapidly growing space industry with panel representation from the Plants for Space Australian Research Council Centre.
This forum was filmed live on 2 September 2024.
Register for you and your students below to watch the recorded session in class time.
Panellists
Sputniko! is an artist, designer and entrepreneur specialising in the field of speculative and critical design. Her video work and multimedia installations span a wide variety of themes from biotechnology, gender performance to interspecies communication.
Employing science and technology to actively investigate contemporary society and social values, Sputniko!’s work stimulates discussions regarding the cultural, social, and ethical implications of emerging technologies.
Kate Nakashima completed a Science/Law degree at Melbourne University in the 1990s. For the next 20 years she worked as an intellectual property lawyer, most recently at CSIRO.
In 2021 Kate returned to Melbourne University to pursue her interest in plants, gardens and the natural world. She is currently undertaking a Master of Urban Horticulture. Her research is part of the Plants for Space Centre of Excellence and focuses on reducing waste from strawberries grown hydroponically.
Sarah Mansell is a proud Palawa woman who is determined to develop wholistic sustainability solutions to difficult industry challenges.
Growing up on the coast Sarah has always had a passion for STEM, especially the environment, which led to her major in Plant Science from UniMelb. Her work experience started with Traditional Owner engagement for climate change and high school education on Indigenous sustainability principles. Sarah now works in what she considers to be the most impactful field implementing sustainability in the energy, chemicals and resources sectors through engineering.
Tom Simic is the entrepreneur behind Simic Financial, a modern and proactive accounting firm that focuses on supporting startups and growing businesses with CFO Advisory.
He brings a decade of experience in accounting, and 6 university qualifications across Accounting, Law, Property and Strategy/Leadership.
Tom is a registered tax agent and CAANZ member. Renowned for his innovative problem-solving, passion for empowering businesses, and helping the next generation of leaders navigate the world of finance with confidence.
Hosts
Co-Host: Dr Jess Vovers (they/them) researches emerging and disruptive technologies for Defence Science and Technology Group, and is a maker, secret poet and doctor of biochemical engineering.
They seek to explore the plurality of queer, neurodiverse, regenerative futures and how we can enmesh art and science to cultivate them. They are propelled by curiosity, awe and connection, and can often be found settling in with clay in soft coloured lighting.
Co-Host: Qian Mo (Rita) Cui is an active member of Sci Curious at Science Gallery. A high school student with a passion for tackling global challenges they envision a future dedicated to making a difference.
When not immersed in marine biology or coral reef restoration, Rita enjoys strumming the guzheng, exploring ancient philosophy through music, and engaging in community service. However, during VCE crunch time, they are mostly found buried in VCAA exam preparation at the library.
