Girls in Physics Breakfast at Australian Synchrotron
At the breakfast students from Years 10 to 12 share a table with two or three women who are either in a career in physics or engineering, or are at university as an undergraduate or a postgraduate. The students have a chance to ask questions about their careers and what study at university is like. Students are seated with students from other schools.
This breakfast is special in that there is the option of a 60 min guided tour of the Australian Synchrotron. The tour group size is 24 students, so there will be three tours heading off at 15 min intervals. There are also activities on offer while groups are waiting for their tour to start or to do when their tour finishes.
At each breakfast there is an address by a prominent scientist, who talks about her area of interest at a level appropriate for the audience.
Date: 7th May, 2026 Venue: Australian Synchrotron Times: 8:00am to 10:30am, (11:30am with optional tours). Speaker: Dr Rachel Williamson, Australian Synchrotron Bio: Dr Rachel Williamson is the Group Manager of the Crystallography Group at ANSTO’s Australian Synchrotron and is responsible for the operation, maintenance, development, scientific direction and management of the crystallography beamlines.
Topic: Behind the Beam: Health Discoveries Made Possible by the Australian Synchrotron Abstract: In this presentation, Dr Rachael Williamson takes students behind the beam at the Australian Synchrotron to reveal how scientists are using intense, fast-moving light to unlock medical and scientific breakthroughs. She’ll show how synchrotron X‑rays — millions of times brighter than the Sun — allow researchers to see inside cells, tissues, and materials in extraordinary detail, helping to tackle real health challenges such as cancer, infectious diseases, biomaterials, and drug development. Through captivating stories from the cutting edge of medical research, Rachael will demonstrate how physics powers modern medicine and how young people — especially girls — can be part of the next generation of discovery
Please note: Unaccompanied students are not accepted. Bookings must indicate the name and contact details of the adult, either teacher or parent, who will accompany the student(s).
Fees:
The table below shows the fee structure.
Category
Cost
First Teacher
No Charge
Second Teacher
$25 / $10*
per Student
$25 / $10*
Synchrotron Tour (Optional)
$10 / $5*
* A discount was available for schools with a low ICSEA rank. Discounts could be applied for by emailing Vicphysics with subject ‘Breakfast discount’.
Fees
Two methods to pay are available,
by credit card or
by bank transfer, an email is generated with the details of the Vicphysics bank account.
Max number of students per school: To enable more schools to participate, there was an initial maximum of six (6) students per school.
Booking: Bookings close on Thursday, 30th April .
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Program:
After having breakfast together the students, guests and teachers move into the adjacent auditorium for the two talks totaling 45 min, followed by questions. Then there will be a Q&A with a panel of a few of the guests. After this, the program of Synchrotron Tours and activities will commence. The detailed program is available here.
Sponsors and Supporters
The Girls in Physics Breakfasts are organised by the Vicphysics Teachers’ Network and supported by funding from the Invergowrie Foundation and ANSTO.
