How might we teach STEM effectively with the materials we have at hand? Today we speak with Shane Dryden, STEM Project Officer for the Hunter Academy of STEM Excellence & Teacher for the NSW Virtual STEM Academy to learn how!

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

About Shane Dryden

Shane is passionate about making a difference to education in both the primary and secondary sectors through the embedding of STEM & the design thinking processes within schools by engaging teachers, learners, industry and higher education to create holistic school-based learning that builds 21st-century skills with students.

He is the STEM Project Officer for the Hunter Academy of STEM Excellence & a teacher for the NSW Virtual STEM Academy.

About the Hunter Academy of STEM Excellence
The Hunter Academy of STEM Excellence (HASE) operates in the Hunter region, a dynamic area known for its strong industrial heritage in mining, manufacturing, and energy production. The region is undergoing significant economic transformation, particularly in renewable energy, health, and advanced technology sectors.
https://sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au/ase/hunterase.html

See also the Academies of STEM Excellence under the NSW Department of Education
https://sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au/ase.html

About the NSW Virtual STEM Academy
Founded in 2021, the NSW Virtual STEM Academy (NSWVSA) is a STEM Enrichment program initiative designed to provide innovative and high-impact STEM learning opportunities for students across NSW. This initiative, is based at Murrumbidgee Regional High School – Griffith and is coordinated through the Murrumbidgee Academy of STEM Excellence (MASE). The NSWVSA connects students with advanced STEM programs, industry partnerships, and cutting-edge research, expanding access to high-quality STEM education regardless of location.
https://sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au/nswvsa.html

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!

How might we teach STEM effectively with the materials we have at hand? Today we speak with Shane Dryden, STEM Project Officer for the Hunter Academy of STEM Excellence &amp; Teacher for the NSW Virtual STEM Academy to learn how! 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 Shane Dryden
Shane is passionate about making a difference to education in both the primary and secondary sectors through the embedding of STEM &amp; the design thinking processes within schools by engaging teachers, learners, industry and higher education to create holistic school-based learning that builds 21st-century skills with students. He is the STEM Project Officer for the Hunter Academy of STEM Excellence &amp; a teacher for the NSW Virtual STEM Academy. About the Hunter Academy of STEM Excellence The Hunter Academy of STEM Excellence (HASE) operates in the Hunter region, a dynamic area known for its strong industrial heritage in mining, manufacturing, and energy production. The region is undergoing significant economic transformation, particularly in renewable energy, health, and advanced technology sectors. <a href="https://sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au/ase/hunterase.html">https://sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au/ase/hunterase.html</a> See also the Academies of STEM Excellence under the NSW Department of Education <a href="https://sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au/ase.html">https://sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au/ase.html</a>
About the NSW Virtual STEM Academy Founded in 2021, the NSW Virtual STEM Academy (NSWVSA) is a STEM Enrichment program initiative designed to provide innovative and high-impact STEM learning opportunities for students across NSW. This initiative, is based at Murrumbidgee Regional High School &ndash; Griffith and is coordinated through the Murrumbidgee Academy of STEM Excellence (MASE). The NSWVSA connects students with advanced STEM programs, industry partnerships, and cutting-edge research, expanding access to high-quality STEM education regardless of location. <a href="https://sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au/nswvsa.html">https://sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au/nswvsa.html</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!

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.

STEM Excellence with Shane Dryden

Understanding how students perceive concepts is the first step towards helping students understand the concepts themselves! We speak with Dr Kristy Osborne, Discipline Lead of STEM and Educational Data Science at La Trobe University, as we unpack her thoughts on how to teach science effectively.

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

About Dr Kristy Osborne

Dr Kristy Osborne (Vernon) is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at La Trobe University. She is a physicist, secondary and tertiary physics and mathematics teacher, and a STEM education specialist. She is passionate about STEM education outreach and an active member of the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP) and the Australian Institute of Physics. Her current research interests are student use of AI for mathematical problem-solving, and physical science pedagogy.

Learn more
LaTrobe University profile

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!

Understanding how students perceive concepts is the first step towards helping students understand the concepts themselves! We speak with Dr Kristy Osborne, Discipline Lead of STEM and Educational Data Science at La Trobe University, as we unpack her thoughts on how to teach science effectively. 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 Dr Kristy Osborne
Dr Kristy Osborne (Vernon) is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at La Trobe University. She is a physicist, secondary and tertiary physics and mathematics teacher, and a STEM education specialist. She is passionate about STEM education outreach and an active member of the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP) and the Australian Institute of Physics. Her current research interests are student use of AI for mathematical problem-solving, and physical science pedagogy.
Learn more
<ul>
<li><a href="https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/k2osborne">LaTrobe University profile</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!

Teaching science with Dr Kristy Osborne

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!

STEM Excellence with Shane Dryden

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