Aussie astronaut’s Top End tour

From Katherine in Katherine to Pine Creek, Barunga and Bachelor, Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg this week visited communities across the Northern Territory.

The first astronaut trained under the Australian flag began her journey in Darwin with a community event and interview at the Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association, a meeting with Larrakia Nation Traditional Owners and a public event at Charles Darwin University.

From there Katherine hit the road, joining Charles Darwin University Radicle Centre’s roadshow.

The roadshow is in its 6th year touring remote parts of the Top End – visiting schools, local libraries, and auditoriums with the main goal of showcasing the wonderful world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to all students.

“One of the best parts of my job is meeting young Australians and exciting them about the wonders of space and STEM. Getting to do that in remote places where access to those opportunities is rare, is even more special.

“It’s so important that our kids know that STEM is more than just rocket scientists or people in white coats in labs – any person from any place or any background with a variety of skills can have an exciting STEM career."

~ Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australian Astronaut

CDU Radicle Centre Director and Senior Lecturer STEM pathways Dr Carla Eisemberg said the roadshow is about making STEM education accessible and engaging by breaking down barriers.

“When a child grows up in a regional or remote area there is often less exposure to the world of STEM, so this roadshow is about offering that opportunity to young people and getting them excited about the world of science and technology,” Dr Eisemberg said.

This year CDU Radicle opened their new STEM Engagement Centre at the Danala Campus. It is the first STEM Engagement centre north of Brisbane.