Wrap-up: National Quantum & Dark Matter Road Trip

EQUS once again ran the National Quantum & Dark Matter Road Trip in 2024, in collaboration with the Australian Research Council Centre for Dark Matter Particle Physics (CDM).  This year was the first time the road trip ventured into the Northern Territory, and the first time we visited Aboriginal communities and schools.

The road trip has become a flagship event in EQUS’ outreach calendar.  This year, a team of 13 EQUS and/or CDM members travelled 8,000 kilometres from Brisbane to Broome, visiting 18 schools and delivering 6 public events.  An additional 7 public events were held in metropolitan areas in WA, NSW and VIC, and online.

The EQUS members who joined the trip were: Ben McAllister, Kristen Harley, Kerstin Beer, Lachlan Rogers, Ben Field, Emma Paterson, Jesse Slim, Rakesh Saini, Teehani Ralph, Tim Newman and Varun Srivastava.  In addition, EQUS members, Will Campbell, John Bartholomew, Xanthe Croot and others participated in the pop-up events.

Lachlan led the prequel “Physics in the Outback” road trip in 2018, so it was great that he was able to participate in the final EQUS road trip as well.  He said:

“The road trip was absolutely spectacular!  For a part of Australia widely known to be “vast empty space” there were an amazing number of things to see and enjoy.  We had to drive past numerous recommended sites without even stopping!  The diversity of public engagement was really rewarding.  Some schools were large auditoriums full of moderate-to-keen high-school students, and other visits were a handful of children in remote communities.  We were welcomed with interest everywhere we went (including pub quizzes).”

The road trip received considerable media coverage, including 5 unique print and/or online media stories (syndicated across 90 titles), and 6 radio spots.  As well as being great promotion for the road trip and EQUS, it provided EQUS members with the opportunity to practice their science communication:

• Ben M was interviewed by ABC Ballarat and quoted by the NT Times, AAP, The Katherine Times, EducationHQ and the Longreach Leader;
• Kerstin was quoted by the NT Times;
• Lachlan was interviewed by ABC Alice Springs;
• Emma was interviewed by ABC Kimberley; and
• Teehani was interviewed by 3BA Ballarat and quoted by The Katherine Times.

Kerstin said this year’s road trip was one of the most exciting weeks of her life.  “It provided me with a unique opportunity to experience fascinating landscapes and cultures that I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise.  It also offered a valuable chance to enhance my science communication skills, whether engaging with primary-school children or speaking to adults in a pub.”

Teehani said the road trip was a transformative experience full of mutual knowledge-sharing: “I taught kids about science, while they taught me about their culture and way of life.”  And for those wondering, a typical road-trip day, according to Teehani, is as follows:

1. Wake up and hit the road.
2. Drive while talking about anything from maths theorems to the best type of cake.
3. Visit a school and introduce the cool side of physics.
4. Drive more with stop-ins at beautiful sites.
5. Arrive in town and get dinner.
6. Go to bed tired and happy.

This year’s trip was funded by EQUS’ Public Engagement Portfolio and CDM.  Next year, the road trip will continue despite EQUS ending, thanks to CDM and to legacy sponsorship from EQUS’ Public Engagement Portfolio. To find out more, visit https://www.qdmroadtrip.org/.