What happens when the world’s most popular video game meets climate action, systems thinking and real curriculum impact? Join Kelly Pfeiffer as we discuss Eco Detectives Unite – The Race to Zero, a game designed in the world of Minecraft Education for students to understand our environment.

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

About Eco Detectives Unite – The Race to Zero

Eco Detectives Unite – The Race to Zero was developed through a powerful collaboration between the NSW Department of Education, UNICEF Australia, and supported by the University of Sydney Net Zero Institute. The game has been enriched through the collaboration and expertise of Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Zoos South Australia, Perth Zoo and Auckland Zoo, ensuring authentic environmental learning. This immersive Minecraft Education experience puts students in the role of eco-detectives, solving real-world sustainability challenges and exploring pathways to Net Zero through game-based learning.

Game trailer

Direct link to the game on tthe Minecraft Education platform

On ABC Behind the News Episode

About Kelly Pfeiffer

A proud dyslexic, out-of-the-box thinker and change-maker, Kelly has over 20 years’ experience in education and leading transformative learning initiatives. She has developed innovative, award-winning programs that bridge education, conservation, and technology. Passionate about empowering educators and students, Kelly specialises in driving global collaboration, strategic change, and creativity in dynamic environments. A lifelong learner and advocate for positive impact, she creates meaningful change that inspires connection and growth.

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

With interviews with leading science educators and STEM thought leaders, this science education podcast is about highlighting different ways of teaching kids within and beyond the classroom. It's not just about educational practice & pedagogy, it's about inspiring new ideas & challenging conventions of how students can learn about their world!

https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/

Know an educator who'd love this STEM podcast episode? 

Share it!

What happens when the world&rsquo;s most popular video game meets climate action, systems thinking and real curriculum impact? Join&nbsp;Kelly Pfeiffer as we discuss Eco Detectives Unite &ndash; The Race to Zero, a game designed in the world of Minecraft Education for students to understand our environment. Hosted by <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/team/ben-newsome/">Ben Newsome</a> from <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">Fizzics Education</a>
About Eco Detectives Unite &ndash; The Race to Zero
Eco Detectives Unite &ndash; The Race to Zero was developed through a powerful collaboration between the NSW Department of Education, UNICEF Australia, and supported by the University of Sydney Net Zero Institute. The game has been enriched through the collaboration and expertise of Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Zoos South Australia, Perth Zoo and Auckland Zoo, ensuring authentic environmental learning. This immersive Minecraft Education experience puts students in the role of eco-detectives, solving real-world sustainability challenges and exploring pathways to Net Zero through game-based learning.
<a href="https://taronga.org.au/education/digital-programs-and-online-resources/minecraft-eco-detectives">Game trailer</a>
<a href="https://education.minecraft.net/en-us/lessons/eco-detectives">Direct link to the game on tthe Minecraft Education platform</a>
<a href="https://youtu.be/Od1lHJ3iNro?si=T0op3Us5UMopMzPH&amp;t=127">On ABC Behind the News Episode</a> About Kelly Pfeiffer
A proud dyslexic, out-of-the-box thinker and change-maker, Kelly has over 20 years&rsquo; experience in education and leading transformative learning initiatives. She has developed innovative, award-winning programs that bridge education, conservation, and technology. Passionate about empowering educators and students, Kelly specialises in driving global collaboration, strategic change, and creativity in dynamic environments. A lifelong learner and advocate for positive impact, she creates meaningful change that inspires connection and growth.
Hosted by <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/team/ben-newsome/">Ben Newsome</a> from <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">Fizzics Education</a>
With interviews with leading science educators and STEM thought leaders, this science education podcast is about highlighting different ways of teaching kids within and beyond the classroom. It's not just about educational practice &amp; pedagogy, it's about inspiring new ideas &amp; challenging conventions of how students can learn about their world!
<a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/</a>
Know an educator who'd love this STEM podcast episode?&nbsp;
Share it!

For educators and teachers working to make STEM amazing... no matter whether you're teaching science in grade 1, running a high school lab or delivering science shows in a museum, this education show helps you teach science & technology the way kids want to learn. The FizzicsEd Podcast brings in educators from across Australia and around the world to talk about tips, tricks, lessons and learnings they've had whilst working with students in the classroom and beyond. Hosted by Ben Newsome, a science teacher, author and founder of the multi-award winning science outreach team at Fizzics Education.

The FizzicsEd Podcast

For educators wanting to make STEM awesome! No matter whether you're teaching science in grade 1, running a high school lab or delivering  science shows in a museum, this show helps you teach science & technology the way kids want to learn.

The FizzicsEd Podcast brings in educators from across Australia and around the world to talk about tips, tricks, lessons and learnings they've had whilst working with students in the classroom and beyond. Hosted by Ben Newsome, a science teacher, author and founder of the multi-award winning science outreach team at Fizzics Education.

Eco Detectives Unite – The Race to Zero (Minecraft Education)

From pioneering robotics in India to launching global lunar missions from Sydney, Sukruti Narayanan is redefining what it means to be a leader in the digital age. Discover how she is bridging the gap between access and ability, ensuring that the next generation of innovators doesn't just use technology, but masters it.

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

About the Sukruti Narayanan

Sukruti Narayanan is the Founder and President of the AIMERS Foundation and a formidable expert in communication and robotics. With a career dedicated to democratising high-tech education, Sukruti co-founded the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Foundation (RAAIF) in India in 2012 before expanding her visionary work to Australia.

Her mission is rooted in the belief that while talent is universal, opportunity is not. This dedication was officially recognised in a New South Wales Parliamentary motion in February 2026, highlighting her transformative impact on the AI and robotics landscape.

Key Highlights

Sukruti’s work sits at the intersection of emerging tech and social equity:


Mission ShakthiSAT
Leading a bold, all-female-led lunar space mission designed to empower 12,000 girls from 108 nations through real-time satellite projects.


The AIMERS Vision
Through AI, Media, Emerging Fields, Robotics, and STEAM, she creates pathways for students to secure patents, publish academic work, and launch startups.


Global Innovation Hub
Working to position Australia as a world leader in technology by 2050 through mentorship and real-world scientific exposure.

Links


AIMERS Foundation
Explore how AIMERS is developing the thinkers and storytellers of tomorrow.
aimersfoundation.org 


Mission ShakthiSAT
Learn more about the global journey to ignite a passion for space exploration in young women worldwide.
shakthisat.org 

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

With interviews with leading science educators and STEM thought leaders, this science education podcast is about highlighting different ways of teaching kids within and beyond the classroom. It's not just about educational practice & pedagogy, it's about inspiring new ideas & challenging conventions of how students can learn about their world!

https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/

Know an educator who'd love this STEM podcast episode? 

Share it!

From pioneering robotics in India to launching global lunar missions from Sydney, Sukruti Narayanan is redefining what it means to be a leader in the digital age. Discover how she is bridging the gap between access and ability, ensuring that the next generation of innovators doesn't just use technology, but masters it. Hosted by <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/team/ben-newsome/">Ben Newsome</a> from <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">Fizzics Education</a> About the&nbsp;Sukruti Narayanan
Sukruti Narayanan is the Founder and President of the AIMERS Foundation and a formidable expert in communication and robotics. With a career dedicated to democratising high-tech education, Sukruti co-founded the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Foundation (RAAIF) in India in 2012 before expanding her visionary work to Australia.
Her mission is rooted in the belief that while talent is universal, opportunity is not. This dedication was officially recognised in a New South Wales Parliamentary motion in February 2026, highlighting her transformative impact on the AI and robotics landscape.
Key Highlights
Sukruti&rsquo;s work sits at the intersection of emerging tech and social equity:
<ul data-path-to-node="8">
<li>
Mission ShakthiSAT Leading a bold, all-female-led lunar space mission designed to empower 12,000 girls from 108 nations through real-time satellite projects.
</li>
<li>
The AIMERS Vision Through AI, Media, Emerging Fields, Robotics, and STEAM, she creates pathways for students to secure patents, publish academic work, and launch startups.
</li>
<li>
Global Innovation Hub Working to position Australia as a world leader in technology by 2050 through mentorship and real-world scientific exposure.
</li>
</ul>
Links
<ul data-path-to-node="11">
<li>
AIMERS Foundation Explore how AIMERS is developing the thinkers and storytellers of tomorrow. <a href="https://aimersfoundation.org/">aimersfoundation.org</a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Mission ShakthiSAT Learn more about the global journey to ignite a passion for space exploration in young women worldwide. <a href="https://www.shakthisat.org/">shakthisat.org</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Hosted by <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/team/ben-newsome/">Ben Newsome</a> from <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">Fizzics Education</a>
With interviews with leading science educators and STEM thought leaders, this science education podcast is about highlighting different ways of teaching kids within and beyond the classroom. It's not just about educational practice &amp; pedagogy, it's about inspiring new ideas &amp; challenging conventions of how students can learn about their world!
<a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/</a>
Know an educator who'd love this STEM podcast episode?&nbsp;
Share it!

AIMERS Foundation, Mission ShakthiSAT & Sukruti Narayanan

From building LEGO interferometers to launching rockets in the New England Highlands, Matt Dodds is proof that "abstract" doesn't have to mean "out of reach." Discover how the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize winner uses immersive student engagement and bridges the STEM gap for regional learners.

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

Matt Dodds is the recipient of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools and a transformative force at Glen Innes High School. With an unwavering commitment to equity in education, Matt specialises in bringing high-level STEM concepts to life for students in rural and low-socioeconomic communities. 

His teaching philosophy centres on a "real-life" approach, moving beyond textbooks to provide students with professional-grade scientific experiences. This is perhaps best exemplified by his Astronomy and Astrophysics Depth Study Program at Siding Spring Observatory, which has seen hundreds of regional students engage with world-class facilities over the past seven years.

Matt’s influence extends far beyond the local classroom:


In 2024, he participated in the International Physics & Astronomy Educator Program at LIGO Hanford, where his custom-built LEGO Interferometer is now a permanent fixture in the control centre.


Working closely with OzGrav, he co-develops national workshops and outreach programs that translate complex astrophysical data into engaging classroom tools.
Innovation in assessment, where his students teach the content via video explainers, Matt’s methods focus on tangible mastery.

His impact is clearly reflected in the data. Under his leadership, Physics enrolments at Glen Innes High School have more than doubled, and the number of female students pursuing the subject has seen an eightfold increase—proving that with the right mentorship, the sky is no longer the limit.

Outside of the classroom, Matt is a dedicated amateur astronomer who captures the beauty of the sun and deep-space nebulae from his own backyard.

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

With interviews with leading science educators and STEM thought leaders, this science education podcast is about highlighting different ways of teaching kids within and beyond the classroom. It's not just about educational practice & pedagogy, it's about inspiring new ideas & challenging conventions of how students can learn about their world!

https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/

Know an educator who'd love this STEM podcast episode? 

Share it!

From building LEGO interferometers to launching rockets in the New England Highlands, Matt Dodds is proof that "abstract" doesn't have to mean "out of reach." Discover how the 2025 Prime Minister&rsquo;s Prize winner uses immersive student engagement and bridges the STEM gap for regional learners. Hosted by <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/team/ben-newsome/">Ben Newsome</a> from <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">Fizzics Education</a>
Matt Dodds is the recipient of the 2025 Prime Minister&rsquo;s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools and a transformative force at Glen Innes High School. With an unwavering commitment to equity in education, Matt specialises in bringing high-level STEM concepts to life for students in rural and low-socioeconomic communities.&nbsp;
His teaching philosophy centres on a "real-life" approach, moving beyond textbooks to provide students with professional-grade scientific experiences. This is perhaps best exemplified by his Astronomy and Astrophysics Depth Study Program at Siding Spring Observatory, which has seen hundreds of regional students engage with world-class facilities over the past seven years.
Matt&rsquo;s influence extends far beyond the local classroom:
<ul data-path-to-node="11">
<li>
In 2024, he participated in the International Physics &amp; Astronomy Educator Program at LIGO Hanford, where his custom-built LEGO Interferometer is now a permanent fixture in the control centre.
</li>
<li>
Working closely with OzGrav, he co-develops national workshops and outreach programs that translate complex astrophysical data into engaging classroom tools.
</li>
<li>Innovation in assessment, where his students teach the content via video explainers, Matt&rsquo;s methods focus on tangible mastery.</li>
</ul>
His impact is clearly reflected in the data. Under his leadership, Physics enrolments at Glen Innes High School have more than doubled, and the number of female students pursuing the subject has seen an eightfold increase&mdash;proving that with the right mentorship, the sky is no longer the limit.
Outside of the classroom, Matt is a dedicated amateur astronomer who captures the beauty of the sun and deep-space nebulae from his own backyard.
Hosted by <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/team/ben-newsome/">Ben Newsome</a> from <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">Fizzics Education</a>
With interviews with leading science educators and STEM thought leaders, this science education podcast is about highlighting different ways of teaching kids within and beyond the classroom. It's not just about educational practice &amp; pedagogy, it's about inspiring new ideas &amp; challenging conventions of how students can learn about their world!
<a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/</a>
Know an educator who'd love this STEM podcast episode?&nbsp;
Share it!

Matt Dodds - Using hands-on teaching to improve Physics understanding

From her roots on a New South Wales farm to leading education for Cotton Australia, Jenny Hughes is cultivating the future of natural fibre education. Learn classroom-ready ideas for teaching about cotton in your classroom, whether you're from the city or the country.

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

About Jenny Hughes

Jenny Hughes brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as Education Manager at Cotton Australia, where she leverages her background in teaching, event organisation, communications, and hospitality. Originally from a sheep and wheat property in central New South Wales, Jenny’s deep-rooted connection to agriculture fuels her commitment to food and fibre education.

In her current role, she is a strategic thought leader and influencer, known for her advanced relationship skills and extensive network. Her responsibilities include managing the Cotton Classroom resource library, creating curriculum-linked educational materials, and supporting teachers and undergraduates through scholarships to attend relevant events. She also oversees the Teach the Teacher Field Trips program, delivers workshops at education and career events, and manages Cotton Australia's interactive displays at major agricultural shows like The Sydney Royal and EKKA.

About Cotton Australia

Cotton Australia is the peak body for Australia’s cotton growers, representing up to 1,500 cotton farming families, predominantly in New South Wales and Queensland with a committed and increasing number of growers in the emerging markets of the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Learn more
For Cotton Classroom to access free curriculum-linked resources and request a Cotton Sample Kit posted to your school, click here.
YouTube Channel


Seed to Sock Video


Water Allocations Explained


Sustainability in Cotton


Google Arts & Culture page


Facebook

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

With interviews with leading science educators and STEM thought leaders, this science education podcast is about highlighting different ways of teaching kids within and beyond the classroom. It's not just about educational practice & pedagogy, it's about inspiring new ideas & challenging conventions of how students can learn about their world!

https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/

Know an educator who'd love this STEM podcast episode? 

Share it!

From her roots on a New South Wales farm to leading education for Cotton Australia, Jenny Hughes is cultivating the future of natural fibre education. Learn classroom-ready ideas for teaching about cotton in your classroom, whether you're from the city or the country.
Hosted by <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/team/ben-newsome/">Ben Newsome</a> from <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">Fizzics Education</a>
About Jenny Hughes
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-hughes-5b8a22a1/">Jenny Hughes</a> brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as Education Manager at Cotton Australia, where she leverages her background in teaching, event organisation, communications, and hospitality. Originally from a sheep and wheat property in central New South Wales, Jenny&rsquo;s deep-rooted connection to agriculture fuels her commitment to food and fibre education.
In her current role, she is a strategic thought leader and influencer, known for her advanced relationship skills and extensive network. Her responsibilities include managing the Cotton Classroom resource library, creating curriculum-linked educational materials, and supporting teachers and undergraduates through scholarships to attend relevant events. She also oversees the Teach the Teacher Field Trips program, delivers workshops at education and career events, and manages Cotton Australia's interactive displays at major agricultural shows like The Sydney Royal and EKKA. About Cotton Australia
Cotton Australia is the peak body for Australia&rsquo;s cotton growers, representing up to 1,500 cotton farming families, predominantly in New South Wales and Queensland with a committed and increasing number of growers in the emerging markets of the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Learn more
<ul>
<li>For Cotton Classroom to access free curriculum-linked resources and request a Cotton Sample Kit posted to your school, <a href="https://cottonaustralia.com.au/">click here.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTsQcz7PRPX1bl3J3ORv-g">YouTube Channel</a></li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6plTYrBth4&amp;t=14s">Seed to Sock Video</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_4l5GDUTL0&amp;list=PLSlNIel13u0D4qd8O29NtOZyaaCEcCwRp">Water Allocations Explained</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q4czBgq8K0&amp;list=PLSlNIel13u0D4qd8O29NtOZyaaCEcCwRp&amp;index=2">Sustainability in Cotton</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/cotton-australia">Google Arts &amp; Culture page</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://facebook.com/CottonAustralia">Facebook</a>
</li>
</ul>
Hosted by <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/team/ben-newsome/">Ben Newsome</a> from <a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">Fizzics Education</a>
With interviews with leading science educators and STEM thought leaders, this science education podcast is about highlighting different ways of teaching kids within and beyond the classroom. It's not just about educational practice &amp; pedagogy, it's about inspiring new ideas &amp; challenging conventions of how students can learn about their world!
<a href="https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/</a>
Know an educator who'd love this STEM podcast episode?&nbsp;
Share it!

Eco Detectives Unite – The Race to Zero (Minecraft Education)

In 1 playlist(s)

The FizzicsEd Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips