Ditching stuffy lecture halls, the annual Fenner Lecture went off with a bang on Tuesday night, complete with liquid nitrogen, a marshmallow and specially trained teddy bears being launched from cannons.
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The open-air event, held at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval, was borne from necessity, yet was no hindrance to this year's speaker, Dr Graham Walker, from the ANU National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science.
Member for Fenner Dr Andrew Leigh said adapting to the troubles and trials of 2020 was challenging yet rewarding.
"2020 has changed a lot about how we live our day-to-day lives, so it makes sense that events like the Fenner Lecture would also be different," Dr Leigh said.
"While social distancing has made some things harder, it's given my office a chance to think outside the box for this event."
"This unconventional setting will also allow for an unconventional lecture."
Dr Walker is the convener of the Masters of Science Communication Outreach program at the ANU.
He specialises in informal science learning, and has a research focus on the emotional and motivational aspects of science communicating.
While his work may seem like fun, games and the occasional explosion, Dr Walker has also worked in advancing science communication in developing nations.
He established Science Circus Africa, training nearly 500 staff to deliver science communication programs across 10 countries on the continent.
Through the support of DFAT, Dr Walker has shifted his focus to also establish Science Circus Pacific, which aims to boost scientific literacy in our own neighbourhood.
The event received almost 500 RSVPs- just under the ACT's limit for outdoor gatherings - with high school students prioritised for places.
A spokesperson from Dr Leigh's office said it was more important than ever to support budding scientists.
"Events like the Fenner Lecture are a great way to introduce them to different fields of research in a relatively informal setting," the spokesperson said.
"With challenges like climate change in our future, it's essential that young Australians are engaged with science and all the career paths it can offer."
The Fenner Lecture was established in 2016, following the renaming of the northern ACT electorate. The electorate is named after Frank Fenner, a former ANU scientist remembered for his contribution to controlling Australia's rabbit plague.
The Fenner Lecture took over from the Fraser Lecture, which previously hosted prominent figures including Gillian Triggs, Julia Gillard and Tim Costello.
The first Fenner Lecture was hosted by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, and since then the annual lecture has had a science, maths and technology focus.
Previous speakers include popular maths teacher Eddie Woo, quantum scientist Michelle Simmons and immunologist professor Carola Vinuesa.
Dr Leigh's office said they would consider holding another open-air lecture in a post-COVID environment.