2013 SCOTCH COLLEGE SCIENCE ORATION

The teaching of science has been central to the endeavours of Scotch College since its founding in 1851. Generations of boys have been encouraged into careers in science and related fields as a result of the focus and dedication of Scotch College science staff. This year marks the inaugural Scotch College Science Oration. The event will showcase some of the fruits of science education at Scotch and will feature an oration by an eminent scholar.

We are delighted to announce that the Fellowship in 2005. In 2006 Professor inaugural Oration will be delivered by Schmidt was jointly awarded the US$1M Professor AC, FRS. Shaw Prize for , and shared the Professor Schmidt is a Nobel Prize US$0.5M 2007 Gruber Prize for Cosmol - recipient ( 2011). He is also ogy with his High-Z SN team colleagues. an astronomer at the Research School In 2008, he was elected a Fellow of the of Astronomy and at Australian Academy of Sciences, a Fellow the Australian National University's of the United States National Academy, Mount Stromlo Observatory. and Foreign Member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences. In 2013, he was Professor Brian Schmidt AC, FRS Brian was raised in Montana and Alaska, Astronomer, Astrophysicist and Nobel Prize awarded the Companion in the Order of recipient (2011) for his research into the USA, and received undergraduate degrees Australia. Universe using 'exploding stars'. in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Arizona in 1989. Under His work on the accelerating universe Exploring the Last Frontier: Australia's the supervision of Robert Kirshner, he was awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Pioneering work in Astronomy Physics, jointly with Adam Riess and completed his Astronomy Master's Tuesday, 13th August 2013 Saul Perlmutter. Brian is continuing his degree (1992) and PhD (1993) from work using exploding stars to study the SCOTCH COLLEGE Harvard University. In 1994 he and Universe, and is leading Mt Stromlo’s Nicholas B Suntzeff formed the High-Z 7.45pm, James Forbes Academy effort to build the SkyMapper telescope, Geoffrey McComas Theatre Supernova Search team, a group of 20 a new facility that will provide a compre - 1 Morrison Street, Hawthorn astronomers on five continents who used hensive digital map of the southern sky Booking essential via www.scotch.vic.edu.au distant exploding stars to trace the from ultraviolet through near infrared No cost. A gold coin donation would be appreciated expansion of the Universe back in time. wavelengths. on the night. Funds towards the development of The team's discovery of an accelerating science education in developing schools. Universe was named Science Magazine's On August 13th, Professor Schmidt will A light supper will be provided at the end of the oration. ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ for 1998. present an oration Exploring the Last For further enquiries please contact Frontier: Australia's Pioneering work Dr Atit Bhargava, Chair of Science Brian Schmidt joined the staff of the in Astronomy on his research and Scotch College Melbourne Australian National University in 1995, matters of Science in Australia. The [email protected] and was awarded the Australian oration culminates a program of scientific Government's inaugural Malcolm research and activities for the boys of McIntosh award for achievement in the Scotch College. Throughout the year, Physical Sciences in 2000, The Australian boys have researched, and presented Academy of Science Pawsey Medal in on, science topics of personal interest. 2001, the Astronomical Society of India's As part of the celebrations, the best of Vainu Bappu Medal in 2002 and an these presentations will be given on Australian Research Council Federation the evening of the oration.

Scotch College Publications Office - N Ross - May 2013