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Wonder of Science fosters a STEM culture in Queensland schools - where students, teachers, and their parents/carers understand the importance of STEM and believe that STEM education and careers are accessible to them.
Want to partner with us? Want more information about school involvement or funded regions?
General Enquiries
Email: wonderofscience@uq.edu.au
Phone: (07) 3443 1194
Postal Address
Wonder of Science
C/O Graduate School
Level 6, Building 62
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072
To contact a team member directly, please see details below
Dr Kaylene Cooper (nee Butler) Manager
Email: kaylene.cooper@uq.edu.au
Phone: (07) 3443 1195
Dr Kaylene Cooper is a vertebrate palaeontologist and STEM educator who joined as a Program Officer for Wonder of Science in 2018 and is currently the initiative’s Manager. Kaylene’s PhD research focused on extinct kangaroos from the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in northwestern Queensland, Australia. While volunteering as a Young Science Ambassador during her PhD she developed a passion for STEM education which sparked her career as a STEM educator and science communicator.
Kaylene received a Bachelor of Science majoring in Zoology with First Class Honours in 2013 and a PhD in 2018 from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. During this time Kaylene also described a new genus and two new species of ancient kangaroo from Riversleigh. She then went on to work as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Queensland University of Technology before beginning work with Wonder of Science.
Kaylene also has extensive experience as a science communicator having worked with schools, social media, news, and TV programs such as Totally Wild.
Alexandra McKelvey (nee Hall) Program Officer
Email: alex.hall@uq.edu.au
Phone: (07) 3346 0530
Alexandra McKelvey is a STEM educator and registered teacher who joined Wonder of Science as a Program Officer in 2022.
Completing a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) from the University of Queensland in 2015, Alex proceeded to teach science, mathematics and technologies in remote and metropolitan secondary schools. In 2021, Alex attained a Master of Education (STEM specialisation) with Distinction from the Queensland University of Technology and was bestowed the STAR award for the top-performing student in the Master of Education (STEM specialisation). Alex is also a sessional academic within the STEM Education program at the Queensland University of Technology.
Her passion for creating, implementing and evaluating evidence-based STEM teaching and learning programs, curriculum, and pedagogies is driven by Alex’s personal and professional experiences to ensure all students have access to high-quality STEM education.
David Sutton
Program Officer
Email: d.sutton@uq.edu.au
Phone: (07) 3443 3012
David is a physicist and STEM educator who joined Wonder of Science as program officer in 2024 after several years as Young Science Ambassador where he received the inaugural Gordon Dunlop Medal for his service to the program.
David attained a Bachelor of Science in Physics with First Class Honours in 2015 from the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane. He also studied his PhD in laser physics at Queensland University of Technology, where he explored the use of lasers in photochemistry to precisely target where chemical reactions occur, allowing the technique to be used as a micro-fabrication technology. David continues his research in a part time role, upgrading a laser driven microscopy system for analysing biological samples with higher precision.
Throughout his PhD and his time in the Wonder of Science program, David discovered his passion for STEM education and communication. In addition to his work as a YSA, he has taught undergraduate physics and chemistry for both the Faculty of Science at QUT and the QUT International College.
Eleanor Knox Program Officer
Email: e.knox@uq.edu.au Phone (07) 3346 0530
After completing a Bachelor of Science (Zoology) at the University of Melbourne and a Masters of Natural Resources Studies at the University of Queensland, Eleanor's career pathway led her to Colorado, USA, where she spent over a decade as a Senior animal keeper at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo working with great apes. This experience developed her love of animal behaviour and training, and engaging visitors with the zoo's wildlife conservation programs, such as sustainable palm oil awareness.
Eleanor is excited to broaden her science communication and engagement skills into other STEM fields. Along with further experience as a science communicator at Scienceworks (Museums Victoria) and SparkLab (Queensland Museum), she joined Wonder of Science as a Program officer in 2024.
Eleanor continues to focus on connecting people to the natural world around them, to encourage action on conservation - particularly with younger generations. Eleanor believes that an inquiry-based learning model is an excellent way to engage students in STEM and that better science communication throughout all levels of expertise is vital to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable world.
