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/

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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!

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.

Teaching science with Dr Kristy Osborne

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!

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!

Teaching science with Dr Kristy Osborne

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