Kamilaroi man Corey Tutt OAM has had many titles in his 29 years of life. He's been an alpaca shearer, a pet hotel worker, an author, and a "walking animal encyclopaedia".
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While the NSW North Coast local can still drop animal facts like it's nothing, he's better known as the founder and CEO of Deadly Science, a charity connecting Indigenous children with STEM resources.
From Lego bricks to telescopes, Deadly Science sends packages to spark curiosity and learning, addressing wide-spread under-resourcing at rural schools.
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So far, they have sent more than 30,000 books to kids around Australia, and 7500 boxes of telescopes, science kits, and resources.
These books include First Nations science, connecting children with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who were the first scientists of Australia.
"I really wanted to teach kids not only about Western science, but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island science as well," Mr Tutt said.
"It's important that people grow up knowing who's on [the] $50 note."
David Unaipon, the Indigenous man who smiles serenely from the golden $50 note, was "one of Australia's greatest inventors," Mr Tutt said.
He invented the electric handpiece, made strides toward a perpetual motion machine, and had over 17 different patents.
"We have a problem with our education system where we learn about Leonardo da Vinci before we learn about who's on our own currency," Mr Tutt said.
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The science gap
When Mr Tutt volunteered at a careers day before starting Deadly Science. He was shocked by the gap in opportunities - there was no discussion of STEM.
"There was just no science there - there was AFL, NRL, the army, spray painting, the stereotypical stuff, and here's me with my iPhone, and then eventually my iPad telling kids how mice glow in the dark," he said.
Giving Indigenous students the resources to explore the value and power of science is vital, Mr Tutt said, as all pathways should be open to them.
The outcomes
Deadly Science has already connected kids in 180 communities across the country with STEM and they've advanced Australian science while doing it.
"Because of the resources we've sent, we were able to take photographs of the night parrot during the day, which is an endangered species," Mr Tutt said.
They've also set up a partnership with the University of Sydney where kids can collect bilby samples and send them off to map the animal's genome.
And while scientific advancement is a feat in itself, empowering the next generation of Deadly Scientists is reward enough, Mr Tutt said.
Rosie Bensley
Illawarra Mercury trainee journalist and newest recruit.
Illawarra Mercury trainee journalist and newest recruit.
