All about museum education and the thoughts behind public exhibitions at the Australian Museum! Ellie Downing is the Manager for Science Engagement and Events at the Australian Museum and has been involved in science engagement and content creation for many years in the museum sector. Listen in as we chat during the busy lead up to the Australian Museum Science Festival.

About Ellie Downing

Managing the Science Engagements and Events (SEE) team at the Australian Museum, Ellie helps deliver a suite of events and activities within the museum as well as beyond through the Sydney Science Festival, Science on the Road outreach initiatives and other education events. Ellie also is heavily in community science engagement and is the current secretary for the Australian Citizen Science Association's (ACSA) Management Committee whose mission is to advance citizen science through advocacy, collaboration, sharing of knowledge and capacity building.

More information
Australian Museum
https://australianmuseum.net.au/


Check out the 2018 Sydney Science Festival
https://sydneyscience.com.au/2018/
Australian Citizen Science Association
https://citizenscience.org.auAbout the FizzicsEd Podcast

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!

The FizzicsEd podcast is a member of the Australian Educators Online Network (AEON )

http://www.aeon.net.au/

All about museum education and the thoughts behind public exhibitions at the Australian Museum! Ellie Downing is the Manager for Science Engagement and Events at the Australian Museum and has been involved in science engagement and content creation for many years in the museum sector. Listen in as we chat during the busy lead up to the Australian Museum Science Festival.
About Ellie Downing
Managing the Science Engagements and Events (SEE) team at the Australian Museum, Ellie helps&nbsp;deliver a suite of events and activities within the museum as well as beyond through the Sydney Science Festival, Science on the Road outreach initiatives and other education events. Ellie also is heavily in community science engagement and is the current secretary for the Australian Citizen Science Association's (ACSA) Management Committee whose mission is to advance citizen science through advocacy, collaboration, sharing of knowledge and capacity building.
More information
<ul>
<li>Australian Museum <a href="https://australianmuseum.net.au/">https://australianmuseum.net.au/</a> </li>
<li>Check out the 2018 Sydney Science Festival <a href="https://sydneyscience.com.au/2018/">https://sydneyscience.com.au/2018/</a></li>
<li>Australian Citizen Science Association <a href="https://citizenscience.org.au">https://citizenscience.org.au</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>About the FizzicsEd Podcast</h4>
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>
<h4>Know an educator who'd love this STEM podcast episode?&nbsp;</h4>
Share it! The FizzicsEd podcast is a member of the Australian Educators Online Network&nbsp;(AEON ) <a href="http://www.aeon.net.au/">http://www.aeon.net.au/</a>

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.

Museums & Education

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.

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!


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.

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>
</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!
<ul data-path-to-node="11">
<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.

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!

Using cotton to teach science with Jenny Hughes

Get inspired as we hear from Cran Middlecoat, aviator, survivor, and relentless motivator. His story is extraordinary and he now works with students through to boardrooms on helping us overcome our own barriers to perfection & failure and in doing so, build resilience and opportunities for success.

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

About Cran Middlecoat

From his earliest days in Brisbane, Australia, Cran's profound connection with the skies was unmistakable, achieving his pilot's license well before most people even learned to drive. This early passion saw him taking his school teachers on flights, a testament to an innate love for aviation that would become deeply ingrained in his life. Cran's journey soared through thousands of hours in the cockpit, an odyssey that spanned the vast and rugged landscapes of outback Australia while serving with the Royal Flying Doctors, to the dynamic environments of international airports where he skillfully piloted massive jet airliners.

However, Cran's narrative took a significant turn when confronted with his own mortality, waking up in intensive care with a permanently altered perspective. From this challenging experience emerged a man with a clear purpose: to redefine the concept of failure, dismantle the myth of perfection, and embrace the necessary discomfort of personal growth. Today, Cran's influence extends beyond the cockpit as a highly sought-after motivational keynote speaker. From corporate boardrooms to global auditoriums, his message resonates deeply with those seeking transformation. He powerfully conveys that failure is not a finality but an essential stage in the journey toward success, and that genuine progress requires the resilience developed through practice.

Hailing from Brisbane, Cran is also a dedicated father to two young aspiring aviators, nurturing in them the same fervent passion for flight that defines his own life. As Cran travels the world, his core message remains constant: failure should not be feared but embraced, as it holds the potential for remarkable growth. Through his authentic storytelling and unwavering spirit, Cran ignites a sense of resilience in his audiences, reminding everyone that even in the face of adversity, our capacity to rise above is limitless.

Learn more
https://cranmiddlecoat.com/

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!

Get inspired as we hear from Cran Middlecoat, aviator, survivor, and relentless motivator. His story is extraordinary and he now works with students through to boardrooms on helping us overcome our own barriers to perfection &amp; failure and in doing so, build resilience and opportunities for success.
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 Cran Middlecoat
From his earliest days in Brisbane, Australia, Cran's profound connection with the skies was unmistakable, achieving his pilot's license well before most people even learned to drive. This early passion saw him taking his school teachers on flights, a testament to an innate love for aviation that would become deeply ingrained in his life. Cran's journey soared through thousands of hours in the cockpit, an odyssey that spanned the vast and rugged landscapes of outback Australia while serving with the Royal Flying Doctors, to the dynamic environments of international airports where he skillfully piloted massive jet airliners.
However, Cran's narrative took a significant turn when confronted with his own mortality, waking up in intensive care with a permanently altered perspective. From this challenging experience emerged a man with a clear purpose: to redefine the concept of failure, dismantle the myth of perfection, and embrace the necessary discomfort of personal growth. Today, Cran's influence extends beyond the cockpit as a highly sought-after motivational keynote speaker. From corporate boardrooms to global auditoriums, his message resonates deeply with those seeking transformation. He powerfully conveys that failure is not a finality but an essential stage in the journey toward success, and that genuine progress requires the resilience developed through practice.
Hailing from Brisbane, Cran is also a dedicated father to two young aspiring aviators, nurturing in them the same fervent passion for flight that defines his own life. As Cran travels the world, his core message remains constant: failure should not be feared but embraced, as it holds the potential for remarkable growth. Through his authentic storytelling and unwavering spirit, Cran ignites a sense of resilience in his audiences, reminding everyone that even in the face of adversity, our capacity to rise above is limitless. Learn more <a href="https://cranmiddlecoat.com/">https://cranmiddlecoat.com/</a><a href="https://futureyouaustralia.com.au/imagining-the-future/"></a>
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!

Museums & Education

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