About Omega
Inspiring Future Innovators in Science
Omega is dedicated to empowering the next generation of scientists, researchers and innovators. Through engaging, curriculum-aligned educational content, we can help students develop a deep understanding of infectious diseases, the science behind vaccines and the crucial role of immunology in global health. Our mission is to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and a passion for science that extends beyond the classroom
“I am passionate about inspiring the next generation”
– Prof Robert Booy
Omega was birthed with the simple idea:
Can we inspire the next generation to better understand science and even to create new vaccines that will immunise millions against future deadly, infectious diseases?
Now, more than ever, our students should learn the science of immunisation and ‘Be the Omega,’ the educated ones who will change the world and end diseases
Designed for Educators, Aligned with Curriculum
Expert Insights
Exclusive interviews with leading scientists and researchers.
Engaging Video Content
Educational videos that explain complex scientific concepts.
Real-World Applications
Case studies showcasing the impact of scientific research.
Interactive Learning Activities
Hands-on experiments, quizzes and discussion prompts.
Biological sciences
Describing how the requirements for life (for example, oxygen, nutrients, water and removal of waste) are provided through the coordinated function of body systems such as the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and nervous systems
Explaining how body systems work together to maintain a functioning body using models, flow diagrams or simulations
Investigating the response of the body to changes as a result of the presence of micro-organisms
Scientific understanding, including models and theories, is contestable and is refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community
Advances in scientific understanding often rely on technological advances and are frequently linked to scientific discoveries
People use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they accept claims, explanations or predictions, and advances in science can affect people’s lives, including generating new career opportunities
Values and needs of contemporary society can influence the focus of scientific research
Formulate questions or hypotheses that can be investigated scientifically
Analyse patterns and trends in data, including describing relationships between variables and identifying inconsistencies
About Omega
Omega is under the umbrella of the Australian Immunisation Coalition – it is a series of 10 lessons developed to comply with the Australian Biological Science Curriculum requirements available as a free digital learning resource
It is a remarkable journey into the science of infectious diseases, epidemics and immunisation – we call it “Infectious Science”
- Learn the science of what infectious diseases do and how vaccines work
- Explore the history and social impacts of infectious disease and vaccines
- Use mathematics and apply critical thinking to prevent disease outbreak
- Understand how to develop a vaccine and the ethics of clinical research
About Prof Robert Booy
Professor Robert Booy is an infectious diseases paediatrician. From 2005-2020, he worked at the University of Sydney in the fields of vaccinology, epidemiology and infectious diseases. He became a Senior Professorial Fellow at the University of Sydney Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School. From 2005 to 2019, he held the Head of Clinical Research position at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) at Westmead Children’s Hospital. To his credit, Professor Booy has conducted extensive research into serious infections and their prevention, with over 350 scientific publications, over 16,000 citations and regular appearances on radio and TV
Robert is a medical graduate of the University of Queensland (1984) and trained in Paediatrics at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane. He also held a range of positions in the UK between 1990 and 2005, including Professor of Child Health with the University of London, Lecturer in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at St Mary’s Hospital London, and Research Fellow with the University of Oxford
Classroom or Home Lessons
Innovation and equal access; inspiration for all
This mobile and web-based program provides hands-on learning that enables students to see and “experience” disease from the safety of the classroom
Students will have access to infectious disease experts, cutting-edge research projects, higher learning, industry groups and companies
Each lesson contains:
- Short videos of explanations and interviews
- Relevant theory, examples or background content
- Short quizzes that can be used as testing or discussion questions