Lee Constable, former Murrumburrah High School student came to visit and share some of her experiences since leaving school with the students. She graduated from MHS in 2007, went to ANU and did a double degree in Arts/Science, then Honours in Biology and a Masters in Science Communication. Lee is now the presenter of Scope, a Channel 10 Science TV program for kids. She spoke with students from Year 10 – 12 on the theme of having big dreams, even if you come from a small town. In her talk she focused on some of her experiences with filming Scope, including her travels to the Antarctic. Later Lee shared her experiences with studying for her HSC and getting into ANU in Canberra with ATAR students.
She detailed some of her university stories, including about living on campus. Students had opportunities to ask questions for their own interests and concerns. At least one student has changed their future plans after listening to the inspirational talk. On assembly Lee presented the merit awards to the students and spoke briefly about leaving Murrumburrah and Galong for the world outside. Her message of “be kind” to each other resonated strongly with the student body. The school were very lucky Lee was able to come and join us as she had returned to the area as a guest at the Canberra Writer’s festival, promoting her new book “How to Save the Whole Stinkin’ Planet: A Garbological Adventure”. She participated on a panel called NERD OUT with Eddie Woo and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki moderated by Robyn Williams, answering questions and debating the greatest Eureka moments.
Lee has a wide array of qualifications that she draws from to make SCOPE fun and informative every episode! She ventured from the field to the lab to gain a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and from the theatrical stage to the lecture theatre to add a Bachelor of Arts.
In 2015, Lee ran away to join the circus and study a Master of Science Communication while touring remote and regional Australia as a performer in the Questacon Science Circus! On this adventure she put on a superhero cape to teach kids all about flight physics, and turned up the heat performing live fire science shows for regional communities! Lee’s mission to mix science, tech, arts and all things media have taken her on some exciting adventures, from guiding groups through torch-lit n octurnal tours as an Education Ranger at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, to sharing the stinky science of waste with school and community groups at landfill and recycling sorting facilities.
Lee is the founder of Co-Lab: Science meets Street are where she pairs up and coming scientists with street artists to create live science-inspired murals that evolve in front of the public’s eyes. She also founded, hosted and produced SoapBox, a youth-run and passion-fuelled podcast and radio show interviewing people who are making the world a better place. In 2018 Lee was part of the largest ever all-female expedition to Antarctica with Homeward Bound, a leadership program for women in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine) from around the globe. Visiting scientists who live and work at Antarctic research stations and scoping out plenty of penguin colonies along the way, this amazing experience added extra fuel to Lee’s passion for being a positive influence for the planet.
