Hayden Ellem
4 November 2026: University of Canberra academic Dr Hilary Coleman has been recognised with a 2026 Centenary of Federation Teaching Team Award from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) for her contribution to Science Detectives, an outreach initiative delivered via the Faculty of Science and Technology, in partnership with RACI and the Australian Federal Police Forensics group.
The award recognises collaborative initiatives that make a significant contribution to chemistry education and highlights the impact of a program that brings together education, industry and hands-on learning, to engage secondary school students with science.
Dr Coleman said the recognition reflects the value of creating meaningful opportunities for young people to engage with science.
"Rather than recognition for our team, this is recognition of what's important: opening doors for students who may not realise what's possible for their future, feeling excitement for science and the problems it can solve, and valuing genuine critical thinking,” she said.
“It's easy to get caught up in KPIs and targets, so it's so wonderful to see a school outreach collaboration receive this kind of recognition."
Each year, Science Detectives challenges students to solve a fictional murder mystery by working through a series of clues, conducting experiments and applying critical thinking skills.
A new scenario is developed annually, creating a unique experience for participants and encouraging students to think like forensic investigators as they work towards identifying the culprit.
Activities are designed to cater to students with a range of backgrounds and levels of scientific knowledge, from those with a general interest in science through to highly advanced chemistry students. Along the way, participants are introduced to real-world applications of science through disciplines taught at the University, including environmental science and biomedical science, providing an insight into where future study could lead.
The program is the result of a strong partnership between the University, RACI and the AFP Forensics group, and relies on the contributions of a broader team to develop the annual scenario and coordinate the complex logistics required to deliver the event.
By combining hands-on learning with real-world scientific applications, Science Detectives gives students an opportunity to develop their problem-solving skills, engage with industry professionals and gain insight into study pathways available at the University. Each one-day event concludes with the mystery reveal, pizza and prizes, celebrating the efforts of students after a day of scientific investigation.
