Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich (AO)
....there was a little girl in California who was so curious about the wonders of the world that she started her own science club at her elementary school. Her name is Patricia Vickers-Rich and she grew up to be a world renowned ornithologist, paleontologist, and geologist. She went on to build the Monash Science Centre at Monash University (Clayton) where the community and research scientists could interact.
Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich has recently been awarded the Order of Australia (2016) in recognition for her tireless work in campaigning for education and thinking societies. She is an elected member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, an Honorary Researcher of Museum Victoria, and the Paleotological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. She travels extensively for her fieldwork and exhibitions, and leaves footprints in Southern Africa, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Argentina, and East Timor. She also works with UNESCO, the BBC, and has authored numerous award-winning books.
In 2010, when parents in Melbourne sought places for their children to further develop their keen interest in science, the sentiment struck a chord in the heart of Emeritus Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich. The rest is... curious history.
Under her leadership, the LabRats Lair opened in 2010, with the patronage of Sir David Attenborough, and generous support from CETEC, and Monash University. The LabRats Science Club has been operating out of the Australian Synchrotron since 2013.
PrimeSCI! Director Patricia Vickers-Rich (OA) & PrimeSCI! Patron Sir David Attenborough at LabRats
Oh Lydia .... how she likes to play.
Her love for learning and teaching comes down to genetics. Both parents are dynamic teachers and Mendel's law of independent assortment took her down that same path. She has taught the entire spectrum - from kids at a special school, to special kids at school, to gifted kids, and then the twice-gifted. In short, all of whom she has had the privilege to teach are special.
She has travelled far to do just that - Singapore, Malaysia, Namibia, South Africa, and Kenya, to work with both teachers and students. She is currently the Senior Education Officer at PrimeSCI!, and is always on the lookout for more opportunities to learn. And play.
And as for her unflagging commitment to the LabRats since the genesis of the program, she has gone as far as enrolling her husband Pierre as the in-house engineer-volunteer, and has given birth to two bonafide baby LabRats.
A big kid at heart, Caitlin is here for the friends & fun.
Her passion for science communication and community engagement was realised one afternoon in a darkened lecture theatre... an amazing technological marvel was being described, cutting edge & fascinating, yet her peers sat mute and indifferent. Incredulous, she broke the silence, "This is so cool. How is no one else impressed?!"
Determined to find her people, share in their excitement for all things science, and spark curiosity in the masses, the PrimeSCI! & LabRats adventure began. Having taught from kindergarten through to undergraduate, Caitlin currently coordinates the back-end of many a science program, most days you'll find her scheming and dreaming up the next big thing.
Always up for an enthusiastic chat about your new favourite fact, she's only ever an email away!
What an opportunity to meet David Attenborough face-to-face! This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Sir David was a real gentleman - ever patient and respectful, giving LabRats members his time and attention.
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