The Young Tall Poppy Program is part of the Tall Poppy Campaign initiated and run by the Australian Institute of Policy & Science across most states and territories of Australia.
The role of the Young Tall Poppy Program
is to celebrate and increase community awareness
of the outstanding achievements of young Australians
and the social and economic benefits of promoting
excellence.
The Young Tall Poppy Program identifies and
acknowledges brilliant young researchers with
excellent communication skills and engages
them to foster a strong interest in science
in schools and in the community.
104 Young Tall Poppies
have been selected across
four states and territories in fields such
as medical research, health care, basic sciences,
engineering, information technology, veterinary
science, and environmental studies
Young Tall Poppies
have visited more than 650 primary and secondary
schools across New South Wales, South Australia,
Queensland, Victoria, the Northern Territory,
and the ACT and made presentations to approximately
60,000 students, parents and teachers.
750 teachers have taken
part in staff development programs led by
Young Tall Poppies.
The Young Tall Poppies
in Flight hot air balloon has visited 50
schools in four states and two territories.
Young Tall Poppies
have contributed an estimated 8,000 hours
to the promotion of science within the community.
Education resource
materials based on the work of famous Australian
scientists and nine Young Tall Poppy Science
Awards recipients have been developed and
distributed to schools and through the World
Wide Web.
Young Tall Poppies
have taken part in scientific meetings,
ministerial briefings and visits, science
festivals, and conferences under the Tall
Poppy Campaign banner.
Young Tall Poppies
have visited 20 rural and remote communities
in NSW, Qld, and the NT.
Extensive media coverage
has been achieved in local newspapers, school
magazines, business magazines, science articles
in the metropolitan press, and in TV and
radio programs.
The Young Tall Poppy
Program has showcased Australia as a world
leader in science, health and medical research.
Many of the Young Tall Poppies are now achieving
at the forefront of international research
developments.
"I
wish you continued success with this very
worthwhile initiative" - Hon. John Howard,
Prime Minister of Australia
"The balloon launch was spectacular and
the whole concept a credit to the organizers…it
provided a focal point for widespread discussion
about the importance of our Tall Poppy scientists
and the role of science in our lives"
- Principal, Prospect Primary School
"The Tall Poppy Campaign has given several
young scientists the rare opportunity to talk
about broader issues related to science and
technology and to raise the public profile
of achievements in these areas" - 2000
Young Tall Poppy Science Award recipient
