This Science Week, get ready to be inspired by some incredible Australian scientists! 

In this interactive learning session, your students will join Future You’s Professor Lisa A. Williams and the National Library Education team to explore diversity and personal qualities in STEM fields. 

We will take to the air and into space, hearing from Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the first Australian to qualify as an astronaut under Australia’s space program, and Future You Pathfinder, aerospace engineer Renee Wooton. What motivates them? What are the best parts of their jobs? How did they get to where they are today?

Students will complete engaging activities designed to broaden their understanding of what it takes to be a scientist, as well as to identify and celebrate their personal strengths. 

The content in this learning session is suitable for students in Year 4 to Year 6 and links with the Australian Curriculum V9 Science as a Human Endeavour. 

This session is a zoom webinar. Your camera will be hidden. Students and their teachers will be able to ask plenty of questions and contribute their ideas via the Q&A function. 

This learning program will be recorded and made available after the event to those who have registered. 

About Professor Lisa A. Williams 

Lisa A. Williams is a renowned social psychologist whose research explores the intricate relationship between emotional experiences and social interactions. As an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at UNSW Sydney, Lisa leads innovative research projects examining emotions in various settings. 

Lisa’s dedication to emotional science is matched by her commitment to gender equity in STEM. She serves as the Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Faculty of Science at UNSW Sydney. In this role, she champions inclusive practices and policies, striving to create a supportive environment for all. Lisa’s advocacy ensures that diversity and equity remain central to the academic and scientific community, fostering a culture of respect and opportunity. 

About Katherine Bennell-Pegg

Katherine Bennell-Pegg is an Australian astronaut and space systems engineer. Her career as a space systems engineer spans 15 years across space agencies and industry, where she developed space programs, strategies and new technologies. She has contributed to the success of multiple missions, across all phases. These missions have been oriented around robotics, human spaceflight, in-situ resource utilisation, space debris removal, earth observation, exploration, microgravity payloads, and more, with involvement across six countries (within Europe, UK, US and Australia). 

Katherine is a Director at the Australian Space Agency, where she has contributed to growing Australia's space capability as technical lead on scoping the Moon to Mars Trailblazer "Roo-ver" lunar mission, developing plans to capitalise on Australia’s space and technology strengths, and managing the Access to Space team (including satellite, infrastructure and launch capability uplift activities). 

She holds four degrees across science (physics major), space and aeronautical engineering, as well as an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering. Katherine is passionate about using human spaceflight and space to unlock opportunities for researchers and industry, grow Australia's STEM workforce, and help raise the level of aspiration amongst the next generation. 

About Renee Wooton

Renee Wooton is a proud Tharawal woman who joined the Australian Air Force Cadets at just 15, and this is where her passion for air travel was ignited. Driven by her curiosity, Renee studied aerospace engineering at university to understand how planes work. She loved planes so much she even got her pilot’s license so she could soar through the skies with confidence. 

As her knowledge grew, so too did her contributions to Australia’s aviation industry. Renee developed a computer-based system that accurately predicts fuel tank temperatures at QANTAS, ensuring safety and efficiency and played a vital role in upgrading an aerospace company’s flight simulator, a valuable training tool for aspiring pilots. Renee now sets her sights on the ultimate frontier: space exploration. 

This program is made possible through the generous contribution of the Opalgate Foundation to the Library’s Lifelong Learning initiative.