Cristy Burne
Blending science and creativity to inspire change
Atom-smashing journalist turned award-winning children’s author Cristy Burne blends science and story to find fun, inspire innovation and create positive change.
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Cristy’s international career covers six countries, three degrees, and jobs that include patent translating and magazine editing as well as science journalism at CERN (home of the Large Hadron Collider) and exploding things at Questacon (as part of a science circus).
Cristy works at the intersection of story, science, technology and creativity to help audiences find motivation, courage and creativity. Cristy speaks at dozens of events each year, helping more than 100,000 people all over the world to embrace creativity with confidence.
She has also bungee-jumped, sky-dived, back-packed and (accidentally) exploded sewage on her neighbour.
Cristy’s books have been published internationally and recognised in the WA Premier’s Book Awards, the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year, the Wilderness Society’s Environment Prize, the WA Young Reader’s Book Awards, and the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year awards.
Profile photo credit - J Wyld
Other photos - Emma Dolzadelli Minderoo Foundation
Meet the Author sessions – schools, festivals (45-60 minutes)
Audience size: Unlimited
Requirements: Somewhere to show slides and capacity to play audio; somewhere to plug in a couple of things; a large table for props, books and demonstrations; a microphone if audience is larger than 60ish
Available: Virtual and in-person
Meet Cristy Burne in these assembly-style shows: Cristy’s talks are experiential, exciting, engaging, inspiring and FUN. Cristy’s focus is on motivating her audiences to live creatively and courageously. Cristy uses science as a metaphor to explain everything from plot structure and writing suspense through to creative problem solving and secrets for success.
Photo credit J Wyld
Writing workshops – schools, adults, festivals (60-90 minutes)
Audience size: More intimate and interactive when limited to one or two classes
Requirements: Somewhere to show slides and capacity to play audio; somewhere to plug in a couple of things; a large table for props, books and demonstrations; whiteboard and markers; a microphone if audience is larger than 60ish. Participants bring something to write with and on.
Available: Virtual and in-person
These are hands-on writing workshops. Cristy’s focus is on having fun with creativity, writing for the joy of creating, and unleashing some of the power that comes with knowing a few tips and tricks of the writing trade. Bring with something to write with and on.
Testimonials
We were thrilled to have you visit our school! Your engaging presentations truly captivated the students and staff, reinforcing the love for books. I don’t think I have laughed so much during any other author visit.
Your books have been going like hotcakes! It’s wonderful to see the students so excited about reading!
Dianella Primary College - August 2024Cristy's sessions were beyond brilliant! Not only were the children kept completely captivated throughout, but the parents and staff were also deeply engaged and found themselves giggling away too. Cristy oozes enthusiasm and passion for education, science and children's literature and this added to the entire atmosphere of our event. Cristy was incredibly easy to work with, very responsive and organised. I look forward to welcoming Cristy to future events.
City of Gosnells Libraries - September, 2024What an amazingly hilarious session full of wonderfully gross facts and inspiring science. Cristy is super fun, enthusiastic and inspiring. The students LOVED her!
Harrisdale Primary School - September, 2024Our school had the pleasure of having Cristy Burne visit during Science Week, and I can't recommend her enough! Cristy’s presentation was incredibly engaging and entertaining, and we were impressed with her flexibility and ability to captive a wide range of ages. Her unique blend of humour and science made her presentation accessible and fun for everyone. Cristy was undoubtedly a fantastic addition to Science Week, bringing both educational value, and more importantly, a lot of joy. Her ability to connect with students and make science exciting is truly remarkable!
Cranbrook School - September, 2024I am highly recommending you to anyone who will listen. Everyone has had nothing but positive comments to make about your visit, staff and students alike.
Cristy was an amazing presenter. It is rare that we have an incursion and children of all ages are equally engaged. She was hilarious, informative and vibrant. The students couldn't get enough, and were talking about it for the rest of the day. I would recommend her to any school.
Alkimos Primary - September, 2024
Into the Blue
Ultra Violet: Down to Business
Suzy Urbaniak: Volcano hunter and STEAM Warrior
Wednesday Weeks and the Dungeon of Fire
Wednesday Weeks and the Tower of Shadows
Wednesday Weeks and the Crown of Destiny
Beneath the Trees
Aussie STEM - Fiona Wood - Inventor of Spray-on Skin
Zeroes and Ones
Off the Track
To the Lighthouse
Western Australia
Speaker type
- Author
- Storyteller / Performer
- Journalist / Feature writer
- Motivational
- Memoir Writing
Audience
- Prep - Year 2
- Year 3-6
- Year 7-9
- Year 10-12
- Adult