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Combining
Science & Theatre
Jesse
Shore, Education Officer in PowerHouse Museum
Ever since I was 12 years old I knew that I wanted to be a
scientist.
I was a pretty good (but not great) student and enjoyed most
of the science subjects in high school - but not always. Having
a good teacher always was an advantage.
When I started college in the US, I wanted to be an electrical
engineer to work on lasers which were quite new then. But
I started having trouble with physics and had to change my
major. Somehow I turned to geology, fell in love with the
subject and eventually got a PhD. I got a job as a research
scientist but wasn't happy.
I gradually realised I had achieved the goal of a 12 year
old and needed to know what the adult wanted. I got very involved
in amateur theatre and when my research contract ended got
a job managing a large non-professional theatre company.
After 2 years I wanted to get back to science and landed a
job as an education officer - science working on the project
to build the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. Bliss!
I was able to combine
my two loves of science and theatre to communicate science
to a wide audience and
have been happily doing so ever since.
Highlight of my World Wide Day in Science...
Happily I had two high points today. The day started with
a meeting with the Powerhouse Museum's Foundation ambassadors
to talk with them about the activities of the Sciences curatorial
section. The Foundation raises funds for the Museum's curators
to purchase objects for the collection.
The discussion ranged from what we try to achieve through
our exhibitions to the hidden costs of conserving and documenting
science related artefacts which are usually donated. It
was a pleasure to answer insightful and probing questions
in a stimulating and supportive atmosphere.
The second highlight was to show a distinguished emeritus
professor of chemistry and old friend through some of the
Museum's science and other exhibitions and to talk about what
we might do to refresh our chemistry exhibition. Lots of good
ideas and free flowing
conversation. It's always good to pick the right brain for
some inspiration.
The Future...
Some of the day was devoted to work for the future. The discussion
with the Foundation ambassadors may lead to the Foundation
allocating funds for conserving and documenting science related
artefacts which will make it easier for my team to accept
complex offers of donation.
For a potential exhibition sponsor, I wrote a promotional
piece about the science communication skills of the Museum
and the benefits of working with us. If they agree to sponsor
a display I'll have plenty to do 3 years from now. The discussion
with my chemistry colleague was both future and present day
oriented in that we brainstormed how to refresh the Museum's
chemistry exhibition (a project 2 years away) as well as ideas
about the nuclear science exhibition I am currently developing
(to open next year).
Other tasks were to get quotes for animations to go with a
science show that we are developing for this year.
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