The FizzicsEd Podcast

Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education
The FizzicsEd Podcast

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.

  1. 12 NOV

    STEM MAD with Shelley Waldon

    STEM MAD is designed to acknowledge and promote STEM learning initiatives that address real-world problems and demonstrate how students in Catholic schools take action that matters. Student teams are invited to design a product, service or innovation to Make A Difference (MAD) to others or the environment.  We talk with Shelley Waldon – Science & STEM Lead, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools who initiated this program in 2018. Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education About STEM MAD The mission of STEM MAD is clear: Celebrate students taking action that makes a difference Showcase deep learning Engage schools in effective STEM-based multidisciplinary inquires Promote high-quality STEM education for future-focused learning Contextualise STEM in the core curriculum Enact Social Justice for the Common Good What began in 2018 in Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) has now spread across Australian diocese schools. Find out more Catholic Network Australia STEM MAD site https://www.cna.catholic.edu.au/stem-mad-national Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools STEM MAD sitehttps://sites.google.com/vic.catholic.edu.au/stemmad/home About Shelley Waldon Shelley started her career as a geochemist, working in the mining industry for 4 years with BHP and for the Victorian government as an Environmental Scientist for 6 years. After this she undertook postgraduate teaching qualifications to work in both the primary and secondary sectors. Have worked in Catholic education in Melbourne for 25 years in a variety of roles and educational settings. These include classroom teaching, specialist teaching, curriculum leader and Catholic placed teacher in extension education at Zoos Victoria. Also extended post-graduate learning with a Master of Education, Graduate Certificates in Assessment and STEM Education and additional qualifications in business management, leadership and risk management. Within Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, major responsibilities have been supporting schools and working with teachers to devise and develop resources and professional learning opportunities that enhance science learning across the curriculum. In collaboration with our teachers, cultural organisations and expert providers, we develop learning opportunities and partnerships that improve teachers' core content knowledge in science, whilst developing pedagogical models that improve understanding by enabling the application of scientific conceptual knowledge in the context of multidisciplinary projects. Acted as Primary Investigator for MACS in a 4-year ARC Linkage Research Project (with Monash Uni, BCE, and UQ) researching problem-based learning through STEM education. Using problems as the drivers for student engagement and motivation with the curriculum and exploring teachers' attitudes, beliefs and pedagogical practices as they participated as co-researchers. In 2018 initiated STEM MAD, which has become a flagship program in Melbourne and a national program in dioceses across Australia, and continues to demonstrate scientific learning, where students use STEM projects to Make a Difference (MAD) to others and the environment. 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!The FizzicsEd podcast is a member of the Australian Educators Online Network (AEON )http://www.aeon.net.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min
  2. 28 OCT

    Simple Seeds Experiment to Space

    Your students can be involved in a mission to space! Hear from Ted Tagami, founder of Magnitude.io, as we talk about a plant growth experiment heading to the International Space Station on the SpaceX-31 resupply mission, where your students can grow the ground trials. Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education About Simple Seeds Partners Magnitude.io ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space SARDI: Australian Pastures Genebank AVA Challenge Challenge: Create an environment to grow the healthiest plant from seed. The system you create will be self-contained, with water being added only at the start. Record and compare your results with others around the world including one in microgravity on the ISS over 4 weeks. What substrate will your seeds grow in? Where will you place your growth chamber? If it is in a window, what direction does the window face? Where is your school located in the world? (Lat/Long) What does the weather look like during your experiment? Register your interest:Click here! About Ted Tagami Having built and sold his first dotcom in the 1990’s, Ted has been building Internet relationships since 1994. With leading work at Knight Ridder Digital and global brand experience at digital agency Millions of Us, Ted brings a unique perspective to modern experiential learning through the implementation of science and engineering based on the Next Generation Science Standards. More details:https://magnitude.io/about_us/ 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!The FizzicsEd podcast is a member of the Australian Educators Online Network (AEON )http://www.aeon.net.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    12 min
  3. 23 OCT

    TCS Sydney Marathon goIT Challenge

    Imagine hosting a running event for over 40,000 athletes and making it sustainable? That's exactly what the TCS Sydney Marathon goIT Challenge was designed to do where students from across NSW were challenged to create innovative solutions for the TCS Sydney Marathon through a design thinking process. We speak with Head of Corporate Social Responsibility – Australia & New Zealand at TCS, Binaisha Daruwalla as well as Nikyetta Pencheff from the STEM Enrichment team of the NSW Department of Education plus Grade 5 students Annabel and Flynn from Lindfield Public School. Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education About the TCS Sydney Marathon goIT Challenge TCS's Go Innovate Together program (goIT) is TCS's flagship STEM education program. Focusing on digital innovation and career readiness, goIT engages students from diverse backgrounds with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects and computer science, design thinking and digital innovation. The program offers an industry-developed, customisable curriculum that teaches students the 21st-century skills necessary for a career in technology. Lessons cover topics including design thinking, prototyping, artificial intelligence, machine learning and more.Since the launch of the goIT Monthly Challenge in 2020, thousands of students across the globe have used key principles from goIT to design tech-based solutions and submit pitch videos based on a Monthly Challenge theme. Each month, TCS co-hosts the event with a Sustainable Development Goal ambassador. The Challenge has engaged a growing number of teachers and students every month, exploring topicsranging from gender equality and systemic racism to protecting life underwater.TCS Sydney Marathon goIT Challenge in partnership with the NSW Department of Education aims to create a marathon that will inspire and sustain future generations and set new standards for sustainable responsibility. The TCS Sydney Marathon goIT Challenge ran from 1 August to 31 August 2024. It was open to all students across NSW as well as students from around the world. The goal of the goIT program is the prepare students, traditionally underrepresented in STEM, with the skills, confidence and mindsets necessary to pursue careers of the future. We use a number of formats to give students problem solving and innovation skills such as the design thinking framework in addition to early exposure to varying techonolgies such as web/app design, microprocessors, IOT, and now Cyber Security andGenerative AI. At TCS, the aim with programs like the monthly challenge is to bring awareness to utilizing technology to solve problems in the community provide students with opportunities and tools to which they may have limited or no access to. The TCS Sydney Marathon goIT challenge allowed a unique partnership with NSW Department of Education to expanded our outreach in the region and engage more learners. Learn more https://sydneymarathon.com/tcs-goit-challenge/ https://tcsempowers.tcsapps.com/apac/goit-main/monthly-challenge https://tcsempowers.tcsapps.com/apac/goIT  Check out Lindfield Public School's Submission Well done Annabel and Flynn! https://youtu.be/KTEWP8Bqt8c About the NSW Department of Education’s STEM Enrichment Team The NSW Department of Education’s STEM Enrichment Team is dedicated to transforming STEM education by advancing excellence and equity through innovative curriculum and enrichment programs. Building on the foundation of the STEM Industry School Partnerships (SISP) program, we collaborate with esteemed industry and educational partners to create world-class opportunities that inspire all students to develop STEM skills and knowledge. Our commitment to inclusive and innovative STEM education through enriched learning experiences, is to ensure every student has access to transformative STEM experiences that empower them for success in future educational and career pathways. Learn more https://sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au/ 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!The FizzicsEd podcast is a member of the Australian Educators Online Network (AEON )http://www.aeon.net.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min
  4. 3 OCT

    Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth - AROSE

    Learn about AROSE, the Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth consortium that is not only leading Australia in Remote Operations science, technology and service, on Earth and in Space, but also is providing STEM Education for students across the country as we speak with Michelle Keegan, AROSE Director Resources & Space, Deputy Chair (and founder) Resources Advisory Board. Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education About AROSE The Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth consortium (AROSE) is a not-for-profit, industry-led consortium, at the forefront of knowledge and technology transfer between Australia’s traditional industry sectors and the burgeoning international Space sector. AROSE fosters collaboration across industries and academia to place Australia as trusted provider of remote operations in space and on Earth. The AROSE consortium was founded in February 2020, borne from the vision of former astronaut Colonel Pamela Melroy (now Deputy Administrator of NASA) and Head of Intelligent and Autonomous Systems at Woodside, Russell Potapinski. AROSE is headquartered in Perth thanks to the generous support of the Western Australian Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. The organisation was established to leverage existing remote operations expertise in the Australian resource sector and catalyse knowledge transfer between terrestrial and off-Earth domains for the benefit of all industries. Learn more https://www.arose.org.au/ About Michelle Keegan As the 2023 Australian Space Professional of the Year, Michelle is highly respected in the Australian Space Industry. Wirth a background in mining and remote operations, Michelle has a strong interest in taking what we do well on Earth to Space, optimising and bringing it back to Earth."If we can shape our next generation mines through a new lens, taken from solving the hardest challenges faced in Space... we can truly accelerate our ambition and solve in a smarter way. Even better if we can help the Space sector solve their challenges by learning from what we do well on Earth. Collaborating across sectors!" Learn more https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-keegan-0468014 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!The FizzicsEd podcast is a member of the Australian Educators Online Network (AEON )http://www.aeon.net.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    27 min
  5. 19 SEPT

    Fish Tank & the Ocean Lovers Festival

    The Ocean Lovers Festival is Australia’s largest annual cultural and science celebration for the ocean. Hear from founder Anita Kolni as we discuss the education opportunities available through the pitching contest Fish Tank as well as Litterarty and the Sea Science Student Expo. Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education About the Ocean Lovers Festival The Ocean Lovers Festival taps into Australians love of their ocean lifestyle with the largest dedicated ocean science and cultural celebration in Australia. Through a festival of Ideas, Art + Music and Actions, the Ocean Lovers Fesitval inspire and engage the community on ocean issues and provide hope by showcasing solutions and innovation that are improving the health of the ocean. The festival has hosted hundreds of expert speakers, artists, innovators, ocean pioneers, and champions. It showcases successful marine projects that restore coastal ecology, highlights ocean- innovating entrepreneurs, and provides a platform for government initiatives, marine scientists, and community groups to inspire and empower audiences to better protect the ocean. https://www.oceanloversfestival.com/ About Anita Kolni Anita Kolni is a passionate changemaker, communicator, and connector. She is the Founder of the Ocean Lovers Festival, an annual celebration of ideas, art, music, and actions showcasing the latest innovations, science, state-of-the-art technology, and cool ideas for helping the ocean.Anita successfully staged the first Ocean Lovers Festival in April 2019 at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach. In a short time, it hasg rown into Australia’s largest annualcultural and science celebration for the ocean, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and achieving a digital media reach of over 34 million.  Anita is rapidly gaining recognition as a global connector in the ocean sector for her innovative approach of bringing inspiration and hope for the ocean and engaging audiences to accelerate change that positively impacts our blue planet. She championed the Sydney Coast Hope Spot at the inaugural Ocean Lovers Festival with the support of Mission Blue and the Sylvia Earle Alliance, recognizing Sydney’s cherished coastline on the international stage.Anita's ocean passion stems from her Swedish Olympic sailing father and uncle and her own love of all things beach and ocean. She has worked on major events like the Grand Prix and ATP Tennis Tournament in Europe before settling back in Bondi with her family of four children, inspiring her to create the festival and do her part in protecting the ocean for their future. 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!The FizzicsEd podcast is a member of the Australian Educators Online Network (AEON )http://www.aeon.net.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min
  6. 10 SEPT

    STEM Education with Ehab Gerges

    Meet Ehab Gerges, a multi-award-winning STEM educator who loves working with his students on sustainability, flight & vehicle challenges and so much more. He shares his ideas for engaging students and how he has built his STEM space in his school. Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education About Ehab Gerges Ehab Gerges is a dedicated educator currently pursuing a Masters of STEM Education at the University of Canberra. With diverse qualifications in Business Management and Electrical Engineering, alongside teaching certifications, he is accredited by the Department of Education to teach Science, Chemistry, and Physics. Ehab's commitment to professional growth is highlighted through achievements like being accredited as a STEM Educational Instructor by STEM.Org USA, becoming a Microsoft Global Certified Educator, and receiving the Toyota Community Trust & Public Education Foundation STEM Teachers Scholarship in 2023. His dynamic career includes roles as STEM Coordinator and Senior Science Teacher at James Cook Boys’ Technology High School, with notable contributions to sustainability projects and STEM conferences. Recognised with the Teachers’ Guild of New South Wales “World Teachers’ Recognition Award” in 2020, Ehab embodies excellence in education. Connect with Ehab here Recommended STEM resources STEM Resources on Code.org NSW Department of Education: iSTEM Resources Grok Academy: Coding and STEM Education FIRST Australia: Robotics & STEM Learning https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/elibrary/resource/35888/bridge-building https://certified.stem.org/users/password/new https://www.arduino.cc/ https://studio.code.org/teacher_dashboard/sections/5400230 https://arcade.makecode.com/ https://www.lego.com/en-au/themes/mindstorms/learntoprogram https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/cheerpj/ideal-gas/latest/ideal-gas.html?simulation=reversible-reactions https://www.minecraft.net/en-us https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize 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!The FizzicsEd podcast is a member of the Australian Educators Online Network (AEON )http://www.aeon.net.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
  7. 14 AUG

    Food ladder with Kelly McJannett

    Food security - it's important! So is teaching students to be self-sufficient on how to grow their own nutritious food. Today we hang out with Food Ladder's founding CEO Kelly McJannett to learn how Food Ladder is addressing food security in remote and Indigenous communities. Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education About Food Ladder Food Ladder grew from a kernel of an idea by founders Alex Shead and Kelly McJannett. Alex was determined to use business to create social change. As a social change specialist, Kelly saw kids struggling to concentrate in class because they were hungry and understood the macro impact of food security. By joining forces, they found a way to combine agricultural technology and teaching systems to create lasting social change. From the first greenhouse installation, both realised this was a powerful way to reframe food choices for the next generation. About Kelly McJannett Kelly McJannett is founding CEO of award-winning non-profit Food Ladder which addresses food security in remote and Indigenous communities as well as education, health and economic participation with a holistic focus on wellbeing. An experienced leader in multidisciplinary approaches to social change, Kelly has pioneered scalable place-based agritech solutions which address immediate human needs, support environmental outcomes and ready vulnerable communities for worsening conditions resulting from climate change.   Kelly holds a Bachelor of Communications (UTS) and an MBA (The University of Sydney Business School) where she was awarded Social Justice and Community Leadership Scholarship. Accolades include Sydney University Dean’s Prize and Leadership Excellence Award as well as named Australia’s 100 most Influential Women by Australian Financial Review. Kelly is a member of the Board of Advice for The University of Sydney Business School. Find out more https://foodladder.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!The FizzicsEd podcast is a member of the Australian Educators Online Network (AEON )http://www.aeon.net.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  8. 30 JULY

    BinarX Outreach Program

    West Australian high school payloads to space! Find out about the BinarX Outreach Program which connects West Australian high school students with the Binar Space Program at Curtin University. We catch up with Outreach Program Coordinator Meg Berry and Ahla & Shivani from Bob Hawke College to learn more about the Binar 2-3-4 in early August! Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education About the BinarX Outreach Program The BinarX program sees West Australian students design and prototype science payloads for the Binar cubesat, and then build those projects for launch on-orbit with the Binar Space Program at Curtin University. Payload concepts are directed by students and teachers & may include sensors to study earth and space environment, samples for testing in microgravity, or samples for testing in a vacuum. They may also include a software-only payload running on Binar’s flight computer. Students will access their results using amateur band radio, either at Curtin or through other ground stations participating in the open source SatNOGS network. As part of the program, students and teachers will also construct and operate their own SatNOGS ground station to gain a better understanding of radio communications and contribute back to the SatNOGS community. As the program progresses, BinarX will guide teachers and students through obtaining radio licenses and installing amateur radio equipment in their schools. This will allow them to communicate with their satellite payload directly, and connect with the rest of the global amateur satellite community.The program is currently at capacity for the 2024-2026 Student Payload Development Program, but please register your interest for future opportunities with the program! Launch details for Binar 2-3-4! If you’re in Perth, WA, please register to join us at our in-person launch event this weekend! Binar 2-3-4 are scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, FL on board SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS NG-2 at 23:28PM AWST, so the in-person event may be to watch the livestream of the docking with the International Space Station theafternoon of August 4th, 2024. (but please follow the socials for updates as launch times can change at the last minute!). Anyone, anywhere can watch the livestream of the launch carrying the next 3 cube sats to space!> Space Coast Live: 24/7 Views of NASA, SpaceX Falcon 9Operations, and Starship Pad Construction - YouTube (forthe rocket launch)> NASA Live: Official Stream of NASA TV (youtube.com) (for the docking with the ISS) Find out more https://www.binarspace.com/binarx/ Bintroduction to Electronics Kits> binarspace.com/box> Has all the materials and instructions that anyone can use tostart building their own prototype payloads.> If you’re an educator in Western Australia, email us atbinarx@curtin.edu.au to request a kit. BinarX summer holiday program which builds on the electronics kits and teaches students to design, build, test and fly their payloads on model rockets. About Meg BerryMeg Berry is the BinarX Outreach Program Coordinator within the Binar Space Program at Curtin University. Within her own community, Meg is actively involved as a coach and judge in FIRST® LEGO® League, which is a LEGO® robotics “co-opertition” that inspires innovation and fosters well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership in students. With a background in graphic design and project management, Meg brings a unique creative angle to the BinarX Outreach Program. Having worked extensively in public artwork and signage manufacturing, she understands the power of visual storytelling in conveying complex ideas to diverse audiences. Her goal is to support the school community—students, teachers, parents, and beyond—on the exciting journey ahead in the realm of space exploration. 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!The FizzicsEd podcast is a member of the Australian Educators Online Network (AEON )http://www.aeon.net.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

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.

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