Michelle Simmons and Eddie Woo win over students with science

Primary school children from around the country are queuing up for selfies with science stars Michelle Simmons and Eddie Woo.

Eddie Woo and Michelle Simmons surrounded by Year 2 students at St Mary of the Cross Catholic Primary, Point Cook. Picture: John Feder

Michelle Simmons and Eddie Woo might be more handy with a microscope or calculator than a guitar or microphone, but primary school children from around the country are queuing up for selfies and autographs as if they are rock stars.

In January, Professor ­Simmons, prominent for her dedication to quantum information science, and Eddie Woo, a mathematics teacher who rose to fame with his viral “Wootube” maths lessons on Youtube, were ­awarded Australian of the Year and the Local Hero Award ­respectively.

After meeting at a ceremony before the awards, they discussed how they had both become ­inundated with invitations for school visits.

“I have to admit, it’s quite strange,” Professor Simmons told The Australian, speaking of the growing demand for photographs from her fans.

The duo organised an open day at a University of New South Wales laboratory yesterday, ­inviting more than 200 primary and secondary school students from around the country to see ­scientists at work.

“I’m hugely excited to finally be able to open up the centre,” Professor Simmons said. “Every child should see this so that they know what humans are capable of.”

“Being able to reach them and talk to them and see their ­enthusiasm is fantastic,” Mr Woo said.

He found children and young people were “completely switched on to” science and ­mathematics.

Among the schools in atten­dance was a cohort called ­“Simmons” from St Mary of the Cross Catholic Primary School in Point Cook, Victoria.

As part of a school tradition that allows students to name their own classes, the Year 2 class chose to honour the physics ­professor.

“I want to be an ­­­­­eng­ineer now,” said Benjamin Bayfort, 7, of the Simmons class. He said his class had ­“really enjoyed” their excursion to Sydney, which included a trip to Taronga Zoo led by Professor Simmons the day ­before.

Wearing lab coats, the ­students were given science ­activities and shown through the Centre for Quantum ­Com­putation & Communication Technology, where Professor Simmons was a founding ­member.

The students were then taken through mathematics workshops led by Mr Woo, who serves as the ­leader of mathematics growth within the NSW ­Department of Education.