Diversity is the bees knees: National Science Week

This event introduces LGBTIQA+ students to the amazing ways in which plants share genetic information through pollination. By showcasing this diversity, we hope to break down commonly taught misconceptions about what is 'natural'. The real natural world is full of amazing adaptations. Nature loves diversity.

Aimed at LGBTIQA+ students from years 10, 11, 12 & undergrad, this event will give participants a renewed appreciation that all the world's beauty and resilience comes from its incredible diversity.

The event is online and you could select any of the three sessions

1. Saturday 28 August, 10.30am-12.30pm
2. Sunday 29 August, 10.30am-12.30pm
3. Sunday 29 August, 1.30pm-3.30pm

During each session, the ANU Palaeoworks team (Simon, Kelsie, Vicki) will host a number of related events in our labs:

An introductory talk by Allan the Allergen and Beryl the Bee (aka Queer scientists doing pollen research)

A pollination game, where participants will use different strategies to try to pollinate different flowers (using crocheted bees, mammals and birds - crochet patterns, tutorials and materials will be available for students to make their own)

A live demonstration of how pollen is extracted from flowers in the lab (with a pre-recorded video of steps requiring hazardous chemicals)

A microscope session where participants can explore the diversity of pollen with expert guidance and learn what pollen tells us about our environment

A competition for the best musical rendition of "Pollination Rap", hosted by an LGBTIQA+ identifying musician

Q+A session with LGBTIQA+ researchers

Queer pollen trivia championship

Take-home 3D-printed pollen grains & cute badges

These events aim to provide positive role models and open participants' eyes to the diversity of people working behind the scenes in Australia's labs.

Sessions will be held in supportive small groups (max. 25). Participants get a public transport refund, a voucher for a nearby cafe and other freebies.

We'll have pre-recorded demos, and the Q&A session will be available online afterwards, if you can't make it. Please email Simon.Connor@anu.edu.au if you'd like to access these materials.

This National Science Week event is supported by the Australian Government.