It was Max’s science teacher who introduced him to the Science Olympiads, encouraging him to sit the exams. Max aced the Earth and Environmental Science (EES) Exam and earned a spot in the exclusive ASO Summer School. From there, he was selected for the team to represent Australia at the 2019 International Earth Science Olympiad in South Korea, where he won gold. These experiences influenced the direct he took with his further education, and have seen Max continue to be an engaged alum for many years, sharing his story and returning to mentor the next gen of Science Olympians.

When Max was in Year 10, his teacher mentioned the Science Olympiads and offered to tutor him and a few friends in chemistry for an hour after class each week, so that they could ‘have a good shot at succeeding in the Chemistry Olympiad’.

‘I’ve always enjoyed extending myself and giving things a crack, so when I saw that the Earth Science Olympiad Exam was also running, I decided to give it a try. And I got in!’

Max was one of 24 students who excelled in the Earth and Environmental Science ASO Exam and were invited to ASO Summer School, held in Canberra in January the following year. Held on campus at the Australian National University (ANU), alongside high-achieving students from the Biology, Chemistry and Physics Exams, the Summer School was an opportunity that had a lasting influence on Max and his future.

There were many highlights from this experience for Max. ‘It’s hard to pick out one highlight when everything was so impactful’. He describes how ASO Summer School, particularly being selected for the Earth Science discipline, ‘…expanded my brain and helped me to understand that science wasn’t just something you did in a classroom for fun, but it was actually a way of understanding the world and interacting with it. That, in a sense, enveloped everything.’

Some specific highlights he mentions include the infamous EES plate tectonic dance ‘which I now get to choreograph’, and the field trips around Canberra, where he learned just what makes the place special.

‘…but above all, just meeting a big bunch of enthusiastic nerdy, like-minded people! I really felt like I had found my element.’

Being selected as a member of the 2019 International Earth Science Olympiad in South Korea saw Max awarded a gold medal, as well as giving him an amazing experience with his teammates and program staff. Along with Imogen Viner, Anthony Manns and Jordan Rogers, Max travelled to Daegu, Republic of Korea (also known as South Korea), for the international competition and cultural experiences.

 

Involvement in these ASI programs have influenced Max’s personal growth. ‘I learned that I could do hard things when I set my mind to them. I learned that passion can take you a long way. I learned that Earth sciences is incredible and one of my favourite spaces to be in. I learned that curiosity is one of my most deeply held values, and that there are so many wonderful ways and opportunities to express it.’

Being around the EES Program Directors helped shape these insights for Max, who says Greg McNamara and Leslie Almberg ‘were incredibly inspirational people’.

‘In Greg, I see someone who I aspire to emulate in terms of drive and dedication to both educating people and challenging people to be better versions of themselves. I also admire his calm, steady, clear-headedness.’

‘In Leslie, I see someone who’s had a far-reaching and dynamic career with very interesting experiences and a lot of accumulated wisdom. Her penchant for seizing the moment is one I want to emulate as well.’

Now studying science at ANU, Max is undertaking an Honours project in geodynamics as the capstone to his double degree: a Bachelor of Philosophy (Science) (Honours), alongside a Bachelor of Science. ‘I’ve majored in chemistry and Earth science, with further specialisations in climate science, as well as geology and geophysics.’

Max is exuberant about all this ASI experiences, ‘I’ve loved all of them and I love them all for different reasons. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if not for the original Summer School.’

Helping to provide this same experience to the next generation of Science Olympiad students is important to Max, who has been a mentor at four Earth Science Olympiads since 2019. Max describes volunteering and working for ASI as ‘fantastic’, and particularly enjoys giving lectures to the students.

‘I was inspired to help out because I loved it so much when I did it. The programs have been absolutely fantastic (perhaps aside from occasions when they were held online), but I couldn’t recommend participating highly enough. You’re spending time with incredible people (both mentors and kids) and just really getting to soak yourself in your love for the topic, and your love for helping others understand why it brings you so much joy.’

As Max shared on LinkedIn, “How good!! There’s nothing quite like spending time with so many bright young minds — especially getting to see their faces light up when they learn to see the world around them with new eyes.”

 

When Max is not studying or supporting ASI, he loves reading, hiking, acting, writing and cycling. He also loves playing video games, and coding interesting little gizmos on the side. He also catches up with his ASO Summer School cohort.

‘One of my now-best-friends was someone I met at Summer School; I have a large number of friends from the event as well, including some who I have visited both within Australia and overseas. It was a fantastic social opportunity, and I will never forget the people I met,’ Max shared. ‘Many of the mentors who I have met tutoring the programme since are close friends, as well. In fact, just last night I was (attempting to) watch the lunar eclipse (and getting rained on) with two of them!’

Max has also shown his ambassadorial spirit for ASI by showcasing the EES Program in a series of videos. Watch these interviews, and find more EES & Summer School videos on our EES YouTube Playlist!

---

Thank you, Max, for sharing your story, making a difference to the world, and inspiring all our future scientists. Your support of Australian Science Innovations is motivating to us all, we are so grateful.