The FizzicsEd Podcast
Education & Explainer
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.
Episodes
- STEM Excellence with Shane Dryden
Shane Dryden, STEM Project Officer for the Hunter Academy of STEM Excellence and teacher for the NSW Virtual STEM Academy, shares insights on teaching STEM effectively with available materials. The discussion covers the Hunter Academy of S…
- Teaching science with Dr Kristy Osborne
The FizzicsEd Podcast features Dr. Kristy Osborne, Discipline Lead of STEM and Educational Data Science at La Trobe University, discussing effective science teaching strategies. The conversation focuses on understanding student perception…
- Eco Detectives Unite – The Race to Zero (Minecraft Education)
Kelly Pfeiffer discusses "Eco Detectives Unite – The Race to Zero," a Minecraft Education game developed with UNICEF Australia and the NSW Department of Education, which uses game-based learning to teach students about climate action and s…
- AIMERS Foundation, Mission ShakthiSAT & Sukruti Narayanan
Sukruti Narayanan, founder of the AIMERS Foundation, is advancing high-tech education through robotics and initiatives like Mission ShakthiSAT, which empowers girls globally through space missions. Her work focuses on social equity in tech…
- Matt Dodds - Using hands-on teaching to improve Physics understanding
Matt Dodds, winner of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching, discusses his hands-on approach to physics education, using methods like LEGO interferometers and rocket launches to improve student understanding an…
- Using cotton to teach science with Jenny Hughes
Jenny Hughes, Education Manager at Cotton Australia, shares practical classroom ideas for teaching about cotton. The episode highlights Cotton Australia's resources and initiatives for educators.
- Going beyond failure with Cran Middlecoat
Cran Middlecoat, an aviator and survivor, shares his extraordinary story and insights on overcoming barriers to perfection and failure. He now motivates students and professionals to build resilience and create opportunities for success.
- Future You with Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith
Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith discusses the Future You initiative, a UNSW Sydney project aimed at sparking STEM curiosity in children aged 8-12. The program offers resources for students, teachers, and parents, connecting STEM skills with th…
- GreenSTEM Education with Daniel Edwards
Daniel Edwards, an award-winning STEM educator, discusses his work at Montello Primary and Parklands High Schools and his role as CEO of GreenSTEM Education. GreenSTEM provides equitable STEM access to young people in Tasmania, with initia…
- AROSE’s Virtual and In-person STEM Training and Awareness Program - AVISTA
The FizzicsEd Podcast episode features Holly Kershaw, STEM Program Manager at AROSE, discussing the AVISTA program. AVISTA aims to connect Australian students with STEM career pathways in the defence industry through virtual and in-person…
- CoRE Learning with Suzy Urbaniak
Suzy Urbaniak OAM, educational leader and CoRE Lead at the CoRE Learning Foundation, shares her passion for STEM education and empowering youth. A former geologist, she has developed award-winning programs promoting STEAM, geoscience caree…
- Space & Drama Education combined with Jonathan Nalder
Jonathan Nalder, 'the Edunaut,' shares his 20+ years of experience in hands-on, problem-based learning using STEM, AR/VR, AI, and environmental sensors. He integrates his drama background with props, role play, and futures thinking to insp…
- Supporting teaching with Rob McTaggart
Rob McTaggart, an experienced STEM innovation lead, joins FizzicsEd Podcast to discuss the complexities and challenges faced in teaching, including workload and stress. He highlights the importance of mutual support within the education co…
- Gamification with Valary Oleinik
This episode of The FizzicsEd Podcast features Valary Oleinik, a learning strategist specializing in gamification. Discover how using games can simplify complex topics, spark curiosity, and increase student engagement in the classroom.
- Emotional Intelligence, STEM & HappierMe
This episode of The FizzicsEd Podcast features Dr. Manoj Krishna, founder of the HappierMe app, discussing the integration of emotional intelligence into STEM education. Hosted by Ben Newsome, the conversation explores how tools from the H…
- STEM MAD with Shelley Waldon
STEM MAD encourages Catholic school students to address real-world issues through innovative projects, promoting STEM learning and social justice. Shelley Waldon, a leader in STEM education, discusses the program's origins and expansion ac…
- Simple Seeds Experiment to Space
Ted Tagami, founder of Magnitude.io, discusses the Simple Seeds experiment, a plant growth mission to the ISS involving student-led ground trials. Participants will grow plants from seed over four weeks, recording and comparing results glo…
- TCS Sydney Marathon goIT Challenge
The TCS Sydney Marathon goIT Challenge tasked NSW students with creating sustainable solutions for the marathon using design thinking. The episode features interviews with TCS CSR Head Binaisha Daruwalla, NSW Department of Education
- Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth - AROSE
The FizzicsEd Podcast features an interview with Michelle Keegan, AROSE Director, discussing the Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth consortium. AROSE focuses on leading remote operations science and technology, transferring k…
- Fish Tank & the Ocean Lovers Festival
Anita Kolni, founder of the Ocean Lovers Festival, joins The FizzicsEd Podcast to discuss the event
- STEM Education with Ehab Gerges
Ehab Gerges, a multi-award-winning STEM educator, shares his methods for engaging students in STEM challenges like sustainability and flight, and details how he established a STEM space at his school. The episode is hosted by Ben Newsome o…
- Food ladder with Kelly McJannett
The FizzicsEd Podcast features an interview with Kelly McJannett, founding CEO of Food Ladder, an organization addressing food security in remote and Indigenous communities. The discussion covers Food Ladder's approach, combining agricultu…
- BinarX Outreach Program
The BinarX Outreach Program enables West Australian high school students to design and prototype science payloads for the Binar cubesat, launching with the Binar Space Program at Curtin University. Students and teachers can engage with the…
- Bash the Trash Environmental Arts
The FizzicsEd Podcast features John Bertles discussing how Bash the Trash uses recycled objects to teach STEAM and environmental sustainability, reaching over 60,000 students annually through various programs.
- Ep184 Forming the Pakistan Science Club
Abdul Rauf, founder of the Pakistan Science Club, shares his mission to promote science and technology awareness and harness the capabilities of Pakistani youth. The Pakistan Science Club, established in 2008, aims to inspire a lifelong in…
- Plants For Space - ARC Centre of Excellence
Dr Frazer Thorpe and Dr Lieke van der Hulst discuss education opportunities with the Plants For Space - ARC Centre of Excellence. The Centre focuses on creating sustainable plant-based solutions for space and Earth, advancing plant science…
- Philosophy for Children with Kate Kennedy White
This episode features Kate Kennedy White, an accredited Philosophy teacher trainer, discussing how to help students develop deep and analytical thinking skills. The conversation highlights the broad applicability of these skills across all…
- STEM Education with Ian Preston
Ian Preston, a Global Teacher Top 50 Finalist, joins FizzicsEd Podcast to discuss his dedication to STEM education. He shares insights into his roles at the NSW Virtual STEM Academy and the Murrumbidgee Academy of STEM Excellence, highligh…
- Science Galley Melbourne
The FizzicsEd Podcast interviews Dr Vhairi Mackintosh and Jesse Chambers from Science Gallery Melbourne about their unique approach to STEAM education, which combines art, science, and culture to challenge thinking and inspire young minds.
- Communicating science through comedy
David Crisante, Director of Future Science Talks, shares insights on how stand-up comedy enhances science communication. The program trains researchers in storytelling, benefiting their careers and funding opportunities.
- UTS Maths Inside with Dr Mary Coupland
Assoc Prof Mary Coupland discusses the Maths Inside project, a government-funded initiative that created curriculum materials and videos highlighting mathematics in science. The project aimed to boost student interest in mathematics and te…
- NatureMapr Citizen Science
This episode of The FizzicsEd Podcast features Dr Kate Crawford and Aaron Clausen discussing NatureMapr, a citizen science initiative accessible to the community. NatureMapr uses local sightings to inform decision-making about flora and fa…
- Mentor Science+ Science Extension at UTS
Dr. Lisa Cabral from UTS joins Ben Newsome to discuss the Mentor Science+ Science Extension program. The episode explores how this initiative supports NSW HSC students in conducting authentic scientific research and preparing for tertiary…
- Inside Industry & the science of steel
This episode of The FizzicsEd Podcast features Nikki McCarthy Hicks discussing the Inside Industry program, which offers students behind-the-scenes tours of Blue Scope Steel. The discussion covers the application of STEM, including robotic…
- Primary Science and Technology with Lesley Gough
WSU Subject Coordinator Lesley Gough discusses teaching science and technology to primary students, emphasizing real-world experience and equal access to STEM education. The episode is hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education.
- Science Teaching with Veena Nair
Ms. Veena Nair, a distinguished educator and recipient of the 2022 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching, shares her insights on science education and inspiring students. Hosted by Ben Newsome, the podcast explores inno…
- Statistics Sustainability Systems thinking and STEM
Ben Newsome hosts Emeritus Professor Tim Roberts AM and Professor Peter Howley to discuss Industry 5.0 and the Statistics, Sustainability, Systems thinking, and STEM (SSSS) initiative for Australian educators and students.
- SSA National Schools Poster Competition
The FizzicsEd Podcast episode discusses the SSA National Schools Poster Competition, a project-based learning activity for students since 2013. Professor Peter Howley, an expert in Statistics and STEM, shares details about the competition…
- With Brian Host discussing STEM, ICT, AI & more
This episode of The FizzicsEd Podcast features a discussion with Brian Host, Director of ICTENSW and Google Innovator, about the role of ICT in student STEM projects and modern educational practices. Host Ben Newsome explores how digital t…
- Comic Book Chemistry with Dr Colleen Kelley
Dr. Colleen Kelley, founder of Kids’ Chemical Solutions, joins FizzicsEd Podcast to discuss her comic book-based chemistry curriculum. She explains her concept of "Molecular Literacy" and how her resources aim to demystify chemistry for le…
- What makes a good marine scientist with Prof. Kirsten Benkendorff
Professor Kirsten Benkendorff discusses the skills needed to be a good scientist and her work in marine biodiversity, focusing on the nutritional and medicinal properties of marine species and the impact of environmental stressors. She col…
- Science teaching, assessment & curriculum with Prof Manjula Sharma
Professor Manjula Sharma joins host Ben Newsome to discuss effective science teaching, assessment strategies, and curriculum approaches. The episode explores professional insights into science education pedagogy.
- Software mashups for STEAM lessons with Judy Keller
Judy Keller, a Technology Training Specialist, discusses applying Google CS First and software mashups to create engaging STEAM lessons that help students showcase their learning, catering to all ages and abilities.
- Teaching Biostatistics with Dr Anurika De Silva
Dr Anurika De Silva, an early career biostatistician, joins Ben Newsome on The FizzicsEd Podcast to discuss teaching biostatistics and the significance of data in guiding lives. Dr De Silva shares her passion for encouraging STEM participa…
- CSIRO Space and Astronomy with Robert Hollow
Robert Hollow, Education and Outreach Manager for CSIRO's Astronomy and Space Science, joins Ben Newsome on The FizzicsEd Podcast to discuss astronomy education. They cover Hollow's thoughts on teaching radio astronomy and his work with th…
- Teaching Earth science with Dr Indrani Mukherjee
Dr. Indrani Mukherjee joins FizzicsEd Podcast to discuss the significance of Earth Sciences and her dedication to promoting STEM involvement. The episode also touches upon her personal experiences as a woman of color and migrant in STEM, a…
- Teaching Paleobiology with Sally Hurst
Sally Hurst shares her experiences teaching paleobiology at the Australian Museum and her dedication to inspiring young rural girls to pursue STEM careers, aiming to be the role model she lacked growing up.
- Pint of Science Australia
The FizzicsEd Podcast features Jin-oh Choi and Maria Roitman from Pint of Science Australia, discussing public science communication events across 15 Australian cities. Pint of Science Australia aims to increase science appreciation by con…
- PancakeBot with Miguel Valenzuela
Miguel Valenzuela, creator of PancakeBot, discusses how this pancake printer is used in schools to teach STEM concepts, food technology, and the maker movement. The FizzicsEd Podcast highlights innovative ways to engage students in learnin…
- Swinburne Space Challenge wih Dr Sara Webb
Dr. Sara Webb, an astrophysicist and Superstar of STEM, shares her passion for inspiring students in astrophysics through the Swinburne Space Challenge. Hosted by Ben Newsome, the podcast explores innovative ways to engage students in STEM.