Post Category → Amy’s Balancing Act

Discussion with the ACT Chief Minister

I had the pleasure of discussing all things energy transition with the ACT Chief Minister late last year in my role as ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year.

His description below… https://www.linkedin.com/posts/andrewbarrmla_dr-bjorn-sturmberg-has-been-awarded-the-2024-activity-7274676995525894145-duD4

“Dr Bjorn Sturmberg has been awarded the 2024 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year Award for his work on clean energy technology.

The Award recognises the achievements of an emerging scientist and celebrates excellence in scientific research and innovation here in the ACT.

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Research on effects of Amy’s Balancing Act story

In collaboration with Graham Walker of the National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science I am conducting research on how Amy’s Balancing Act influences readers’ conception of the electricity system and the transition to clean energy.

Below are a copy of the worksheets being utilised for this (one for young persons the second for adults) and the accompanying participant information sheets. This research is conducted under ANU Ethics Protocol 2023/286.

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Woodford Folk Festival 2022-23

I had a wonderful time at the Woodford Folk Festival over the summer. I can now confirm that it’s no less fun with a toddler than childless! So much excitement and good vibes all around.

I gave an hour long presentation on “Watt’s in store for the energy system?” in the main festival, with special guest Prof Ian Lowe, as well as spending an hour doing some readings of Amy’s Balancing Act in the children’s festival. Both were very fun and engaging with the switched on crowds.

My slides for the adult presentation are below, together with a few pics – more on instagram

202212-Sturmberg-WoodfordDownload

A kid’s book is bringing the energy transition into homes, schools and parliaments

The full story of the national launch of Amy’s Balancing Act is now in reneweconomy.com.au https://reneweconomy.com.au/a-kids-book-is-bringing-the-energy-transition-into-homes-schools-and-parliaments/

“The goal from the outset was to create “a great book to teach young children and old politicians about clean energy,” as Craig Reucassel put it.

In a heartening sign of how far the conversation (and politics) around the energy transition has improved in the intervening years, the resulting book – Amy’s Balancing Act – was recently launched in Federal Parliament with endorsements from across political parties.
Amy’s story contains three layered balancing acts, each of which was commented on by speakers.
– The Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen
– Liberal MP, Bridget Archer
– ANU VC, Prof Brian Schmidt

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Amy launched in the Parliament of Australia

Amy’s story has struck such a chord with political moment that Alicia Payne MP, the member for Canberra, hosted the national launch of Amy’s Balancing Act in Federal Parliament.

The event included an enthusiastic speech from the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen, as well as an impressive upside-down reading of the book by Nobel laureate Prof Brian Schmidt AC.

Below are some of the first news articles that give more of the details.

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Story of the Week on LiSTNR platform

Amy’s story is now available (for free) as an audiobook on the LiSTNR platform https://lnkd.in/d3rCVffg
where it is currently the #StoryoftheWeek on Kinderling Kids Radio (which is a wonderful trove of stories!)

Full disclosure, the journey of creating Amy’s Balancing Act and recording the audiobook has made it very apparent to me that it’s the illustrations that make kids books. So I’ll frame the audiobook as a teaser of the beautifully illustrated book – available through my shop and all good book stores.

Amy is launched (in Sydney at least)

Thanks to everyone who came out in #sydney for the launch of Amy’s Balancing Act.

Particular shout out to all the #families (incl from Australian Parents for Climate Action) balancing work, #school, and bed routines! And of course to the special #bookreader Craig Reucassel

#books are available now in your favorite #bookstore, and signed copies are available from https://bjornsturmberg.com/product/amys-balancing-act/