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.

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.