Futurists often use popular science-fiction stories to predict future STEM trends. Many technologies previously seen only on Star Trek and similar shows have now become everyday objects, like the iPad. Can you think of something you use today that might have come out of a sci-fi movie in the past?

Also in this episode, we ask who or what inspired you to undertake STEM studies - did you have

a favourite science character growing up? Or perhaps it was your teacher! We brought in the

hosts of sci-fi radio program Zero G to help us look at the sci-fi movies that inspire people in

STEM. We also went to a student BBQ to survey today’s undergrads about who inspired them -

and their answers may surprise you!

This episode’s reverse engineering is presented by Henry Duffield, who deep dives into AI and

machine learning

GUESTS:

Rob Jan, presenter and co-producer of ‘Zero G’, fiction, fantasy and historical radio on 3RRR FM.

Megan McKeough, co-presenter of Zero G on 3RRR FM.

Dr Emma Burrows, NHMRC-ARC dementia research development fellow.

Henry Duffield, Bachelor of Science Student at the University of Melbourne.

LINKS:

Zero G on RRR

Spirit and Opportunity - NASA's Mars Exploration Program

An exploratory study of the relationship of Science-Fiction and Human-computer Interaction

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health - Florey

The Draw-A-Scientist-Test (DAST)

Science Students Society

CREDITS:

Guest Host: Danielle Goulopoulos

Episode Host/Supervising Producer/Science Advisor: Dr. Andi Horvath

Producer/Editor: Buffy Gorrilla

Assistant Producer: Silvi Vann-Wall

Additional Editing: Arch Cuthbertson

CONTACT: