Eroia Barone-Nugent is an Australian science educator. Barone-Nugent is experienced with secondary science teaching, science, and education research and she is an education program leader and innovator. She leads the Growing Tall Poppies Science Partnership Program. She is funded by the Australian Government's 'Australian Mathematics and Science Partnership Program' (AMSPP). The goal of her program is to increase the number of students, especially girls, studying science and particularly physics to year 12 and beyond. Barone-Nugent currently holds a part-time academic role (Senior Fellow) at the Australian University, Canberra, CPAS (Centre for the Public Awareness of Science) where she is investing in developing curriculum material to support and encourage young children in early primary school to be curious about science and consider science careers. She continues to make practical and meaningful contributions to the pursuit of and equal access for girls in science.
Barone-Nugent is an Honorary Senior Fellow in the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne and an Adjunct Assoc Prof in the College of Science Health & Engineering at La Trobe University. She has been the NAB Schools First State Winner 2009; BHP Billiton Science Teacher Victoria 2010; Prime Minister’s Highly Commended Science Teacher 2011 & 2012 & Eureka Prize for Science Teaching Finalist 2012. The Growing Tall Poppies Science Partnership Program is active in Victoria and expanding to NSW and Queensland.
In 2009 Barone-Nugent was named as 'A Victorian Who Inspired Us' for her contribution to science education.In 2010 and 2011 Barone-Nugent was a Highly Commended Teacher in the Prime Minister's Australian Science Teacher Prizes.
Barone-Nugent, a secondary science teacher, was one of three finalists for the 2012 Eureka Prize for Science or Mathematics Teaching. The nomination was in recognition of her work with the Growing Tall Poppies Program (GTP) in schools. The program is a collaboration between schools, systems, and universities to raise the profile and quality of teaching of physical sciences for girls.[1]
The Growing Tall Poppies Program (GTP) was founded through a common interest between Barone-Nugent and Keith Nugent. The aim was to engage students with physics before they made their subject choices for their final years of high school.[2] Over the last few years the number of students in these physical sciences have decreased, especially with women. GTP wants to create an awareness of the opportunities that can arise from physics and how it can help people, by creating scientifically aware students.[3]
GTP science partnership program is a partnership between the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University, Griffith University, University of New South Wales, Deakin University, The Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Catholic Education Office Melbourne, ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers, Santa Maria College (Northcote), and Charles La Trobe Secondary College. [4]
Barone-Nugent met her husband Professor Keith Alexander Nugent at the ANU in 1981. The couple has three grown-up children: two sons who live in the USA, and one daughter who lives in Australia. Barone-Nugent was the primary parent and caregiver to their three children running a vibrant household while doing a Master of Education and a Ph.D. and supporting her husband to reach his career potential. In spite of truncated access to career opportunities, Barone-Nugent made creative and substantial contributions to education across Australia.
Barone-Nugent is an extraordinary woman who has made important and ongoing contributions to education and girls' access to STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) during a lifetime of work and career since 1981. She is a quiet achiever who is to be heralded amongst the many women who remain largely unheralded.