How do we inspire the next generation of astrophysicists and space scientists? In this episode, we explore the exciting world of competitive astronomy education with three guests driving Australia's presence on the world stage: Lachlan McGinness, Penelope Hale, and student medalist Abby Zhao. Together, they share how the Australian Space and Astronomy Olympiad was built, what it takes to compete internationally, and why space science offers such a powerful pathway for secondary students.

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

About the Guests

Lachlan McGinness

Lachlan is a physics education researcher, outreach officer, and organiser of the Australian Space and Astronomy Olympiad. He helps run the national Olympiad, online training programs, and winter school, supporting Australian teams sent to the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) and inspiring the next generation of astronomers.

Penelope Hale

Penelope is the Assistant Head of Science at John Monash Science School (JMSS)—a selective-entry public school in Victoria for Years 10–12 located on the Monash University campus. A passionate teacher of physics and astrophysics, Penelope previously mentored a student team to the IOAA in India (where student Michael Tikhanov earned a silver medal). Alongside Lachlan McGinness, she helped establish the Australian Space and Astronomy Olympiad to select and prepare national teams, including the senior team competing in Vietnam and the junior team heading to Thailand for IOAA-Jr.

Abby Zhao

Abby is a Year 12 student and STEM Captain at Fintona Girls’ School in Melbourne. As a member of Australia’s first nationally selected team, Abby recently won a bronze medal at the 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in Hanoi, Vietnam. She is passionate about sharing science with younger students and highlighting how mathematics and physics unlock our understanding of the cosmos.

Key Highlights & Organisations

Australian Space and Astronomy Olympiad
The national selection and training pathway for secondary students aiming for international competition, featuring nationwide exams, online training, and immersive winter schools.

OzGrav (ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery)
Bringing together researchers across Australian universities to detect and decode ripples in spacetime from colliding black holes and neutron stars, opening a brand-new window on the universe.

Resources & Links
Australian Space and Astronomy Olympiad Website
Contact Lachlan McGinness
lachlan.mcginness@anu.edu.au
Learn more about OzGrav
Learn more about John Monash Science School
Learn more about Fintona Girls' School

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

With interviews with leading science educators and STEM thought leaders, this science education podcast is about highlighting different ways of teaching kids within and beyond the classroom. It's not just about educational practice & pedagogy, it's about inspiring new ideas & challenging conventions of how students can learn about their world!

https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/

Know an educator who'd love this STEM podcast episode? 

Share it!

How do we inspire the next generation of astrophysicists and space scientists? In this episode, we explore the exciting world of competitive astronomy education with three guests driving Australia's presence on the world stage: Lachlan McGinness, Penelope Hale, and student medalist Abby Zhao. Together, they share how the Australian Space and Astronomy Olympiad was built, what it takes to compete internationally, and why space science offers such a powerful pathway for secondary students.
Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education
About the Guests Lachlan McGinness
Lachlan is a physics education researcher, outreach officer, and organiser of the Australian Space and Astronomy Olympiad. He helps run the national Olympiad, online training programs, and winter school, supporting Australian teams sent to the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) and inspiring the next generation of astronomers.
Penelope Hale
Penelope is the Assistant Head of Science at John Monash Science School (JMSS)&mdash;a selective-entry public school in Victoria for Years 10&ndash;12 located on the Monash University campus. A passionate teacher of physics and astrophysics, Penelope previously mentored a student team to the IOAA in India (where student Michael Tikhanov earned a silver medal). Alongside Lachlan McGinness, she helped establish the Australian Space and Astronomy Olympiad to select and prepare national teams, including the senior team competing in Vietnam and the junior team heading to Thailand for IOAA-Jr.
Abby Zhao
Abby is a Year 12 student and STEM Captain at Fintona Girls&rsquo; School in Melbourne. As a member of Australia&rsquo;s first nationally selected team, Abby recently won a bronze medal at the 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in Hanoi, Vietnam. She is passionate about sharing science with younger students and highlighting how mathematics and physics unlock our understanding of the cosmos.
Key Highlights &amp; Organisations Australian Space and Astronomy Olympiad The national selection and training pathway for secondary students aiming for international competition, featuring nationwide exams, online training, and immersive winter schools.
OzGrav (ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery) Bringing together researchers across Australian universities to detect and decode ripples in spacetime from colliding black holes and neutron stars, opening a brand-new window on the universe.
Resources &amp; Links
<ul>
<li><a href="https://sites.google.com/view/australian-astronomy-olympiad">Australian Space and Astronomy Olympiad Website</a></li>
<li>Contact Lachlan McGinness <a href="mailto:lachlan.mcginness@anu.edu.au">lachlan.mcginness@anu.edu.au</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ozgrav.org/">Learn more about OzGrav</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jmss.vic.edu.au/">Learn more about John Monash Science School</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fintona.vic.edu.au/">Learn more about Fintona Girls' School</a></li>
</ul>
Hosted by <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/team/ben-newsome/">Ben Newsome</a> from <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">Fizzics Education</a>
With interviews with leading science educators and STEM thought leaders, this science education podcast is about highlighting different ways of teaching kids within and beyond the classroom. It's not just about educational practice &amp; pedagogy, it's about inspiring new ideas &amp; challenging conventions of how students can learn about their world!
<a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/</a>
Know an educator who'd love this STEM podcast episode?&nbsp;
Share it!

For educators and teachers working to make STEM amazing... no matter whether you're teaching science in grade 1, running a high school lab or delivering science shows in a museum, this education show helps you teach science & technology the way kids want to learn. The FizzicsEd Podcast brings in educators from across Australia and around the world to talk about tips, tricks, lessons and learnings they've had whilst working with students in the classroom and beyond. Hosted by Ben Newsome, a science teacher, author and founder of the multi-award winning science outreach team at Fizzics Education.

The FizzicsEd Podcast

For educators wanting to make STEM awesome! No matter whether you're teaching science in grade 1, running a high school lab or delivering  science shows in a museum, this show helps you teach science & technology the way kids want to learn.

The FizzicsEd Podcast brings in educators from across Australia and around the world to talk about tips, tricks, lessons and learnings they've had whilst working with students in the classroom and beyond. Hosted by Ben Newsome, a science teacher, author and founder of the multi-award winning science outreach team at Fizzics Education.