This year, I thought I would provide a more light hearted look at the wide variety of science celebrated by the 2014 Eureka prizes, on their 25th anniversary. Feel free to hum along to your own tune if you like. Enjoy!
Somewhat of a summary – Eureka Prizes 2014
Here is a quick run-through of what scientists were winning
On September the tenth, when they were dressed up and grinning.
The Eureka awards were announced with aplomb
At the Sydney Town Hall ... here are some.
The youngest - Harry Diessen – a mere slip of a lad
Made a video about sound ... not too bad...
He won the award for Sleek Geek Primary Schools.
Jackson Huang won the Secondary section – too COOL -
By explaining how phantom limbs are real.
People with no arm or leg can still "feel".
Early Career Researcher, Simon Ho, rocks,
For finding more about our molecular clocks.
Those who mentor young scietists were lauded,
Maree Teessonhelps her team help addicts, well rewarded!
The leadership of Terry Speedrated a mention
For showing the maths/cancer research connection.
Adriana Downie is an emerging young star
Leading a group turning plant waste into biochar.
But science is not just lab work and calculations.
Mark Talbot photographed a tiny seed in high magnification.
Lesley Hughes has a website to explain how climate is changing,
Sonya Pemberton's documentary on vaccines was wide-ranging.
There were too many winners to mention all by name,
But here is a list of their topics and aims:
There was a prize for defence – safeguarding our Nation
And one for environment involving a community collation.
Sustainable agriculture winners grew super-wheat,
Researchers in infectious diseases have Hendra (and soon Ebola?) beat.
Innovation turned phones into microscopes – too smart by half?
Interdiscplinary climate studies used historians, water managers and museum staff.
And last but not least, if I may cliché with with impunity,
The prize for pure research helps understand our immunity.
Conclusion
As usual the Aussies are up there with the best of 'em,
Helping solve the puzzles and problems that test them.
Each one of these Tall Poppies deseves their great prize
For thinking logically about "how"s and "why"s.
Colossians 1 verses 16-17 "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
More details about individual Eureka Prizes can be found at theconversation.com and australianmuseum.net.au
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html