Key Information
When
24th November 2026
5:30pm - 7pm
Where
James Cook University, Australia, Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas, QLD, 4814
Cost
Free
Audience
Future Students; Public and Community; Research and Industry; Parents and Guardians
Contact
Future Students Team |
Add to Calendar
Physics is for everyone! High school students, parents and anyone with a curiosity for physics are invited to this popular event.
Following highly successful presentations in Townsville, Moranbah, Mackay and Cairns, where the tour has attracted sizeable and enthusiastic audiences, we’re pleased to add another Townsville event to this year’s John Mainstone Youth Lecture Tour.
This additional session gives Townsville students, families and physics enthusiasts another opportunity to experience this popular event at JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas.
Presented in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Physics Queensland Branch, the John Mainstone Youth Lecture Tour will be hosted by JCU physicists Scott Heron and Greg Boyle.
This year’s presentation explores some of the unexpected discoveries and “glorious accidents” that have shaped physics. Through live demonstrations, experiments and stories from physics, Scott and Greg will look at how observations that were surprising, accidental or initially unexplained have led to important discoveries, and how those ideas connect with physics research happening today at JCU.
The event is primarily aimed at Year 11 and 12 students studying Physics, although Year 10 students with a strong interest or aptitude in physics and science are also very welcome. Students will have the opportunity to visit JCU, experience a university lecture theatre, meet practising physicists and see physics brought to life through demonstrations throughout the presentation.
Check-in from 5pm for a 5:30pm start.
Featured Speakers:
Scott Heron | Greg Boyle | |
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Scott Heron is UNESCO Chair on Climate Change Vulnerability of Natural and Cultural Heritage and Professor of Physics at James Cook University, Australia. His research involves synthesising physical processes with the biological and/or chemical characteristics of the environment in the context of the people who rely upon the environment. Scott's research group focuses on climate vulnerability of heritage (through the Climate Vulnerability Index; https://cvi-heritage.org) and impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems. He was named on Reuters Hot List 2021 of the world’s top climate scientists – and has a keen interest in science communication through creative arts. View Scott's researcher profile. | Greg Boyle is a Senior Lecturer in Physics at James Cook University, Australia. His research explores how electrons, positrons (the antimatter counterparts of electrons) and plasmas behave and interact with matter. Greg’s research spans fundamental particle and atomic physics through to applications including plasma-based particle accelerators, neutron imaging of geological materials, and plasma technologies for breaking down persistent environmental contaminants. He has a strong interest in physics education and science communication, and enjoys using experiments and demonstrations to show how fundamental physics connects with both cutting-edge research and the world around us. View Greg's researcher profile. |
