It was great to see that the recipient of this years Australian of the Year award was a scientist. The awardee was Professor Michelle Yvonne Simmons who has completed groundbreaking work in the areas of Quantum Physics, Nanotechnology and Computing. Specifically she developed a transistor the size of a single atom. A transistor is a device used in computers to amplify and switch currents. Combinations of transistors make integrated circuits and combinations of integrated circuits make the microprocessors that control a computer. Her work could lead to the development of computers that are so powerful that they could solve problems that current technology would take thousands of years to solve in only a matter of minutes. Its wonderful to see such an amazing role model for our students leading the way not only in Australia but internationally as well. Hopefully our students will be inspired by her work, develop a similar passion for Science and look towards future careers in STEM.
