Phill Higgins - 'Phiggles the Flying Scientist'
Professor Phill Higgins is renowned across the outback for teaching science to school children living in remote and regional Australia, and is affectionately known as "Phiggles the Flying Scientist".
In 2000, aged 56, Phill came out of retirement, got his pilot’s licence, and now spends a couple of months every year taking ‘The Flying Scientist Program’ to remote communities and one-room schools across Australia.
'The Flying Scientist Program' supplements the formal School of the Air syllabus by providing a unique, 'hands on' learning experience otherwise not available in remote areas. Travelling to isolated regions stretching from the Narwietooma station in the NT, to Westwood Downs in far-western NSW, Phill has covered over 100,000 kilometres and taught over 1,300 remote students.
News of the Flying Scientist’s visit to a School of the Air region is spread via the 'bush telegraph'. Enthusiastic students, teachers and parents gather for a few days, eager to learn about mechanics, optics, electronics, chemistry and biology.
Phill will celebrate a decade of 'The Flying Scientist Program' by travelling to Tasmania later this year and, in doing so, will have shared his love and knowledge of science with school children in every State and Territory in Australia.
VEGEMITE is proud to be toasting 'Phiggles the Flying Scientist', and supporting him fly across the outback to share his love and knowledge of science with students in remote Australia.
Phill Higgins is... 'MADE FROM VEGEMITE'.