I am a STEM educator with a focus on Biology, Chemistry, Robotics & Space Science. I am a regular national & international speaker on education, youth programs & personal development through adventurous learning. In 2013 I began tying educational outcomes with adventurous learning with a Masters thesis on the “Effects of Sail Training on Engagement with Learning & Education” and I have supplemented my teaching experiences participating in the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy, training as a Galileo Astronomy Teacher & undertaking the Robotics in the Classroom with Macquarie ICT. I am developing cross KLA curriculum projects & work with the U@Uni Science Summer School as a teacher adviser. I am a member of the UTS Inspiring Science Teacher’s Network & a UTS Science Champion. My current focus is implementing STEM and PBL initiatives combined with innovative assessment for, of & as learning as well as developing hands-on inquiry based learning Exploratoriums into schools.
I am a volunteer trustee for Sail Training International (STI) looking at educational connections, youth development programs, international research & supporting the International Youth Council.
I have developed youth development programs, teacher programs, corporate training programs & young leaders’ programs.
Talks include:
- 2008: Halifax NS, “Characteristics of a Successful Youth Development Program”,
- 2009 – 2010: Istanbul Turkey / Stavanger, Norway as a steering group member: “Self Assessment Toolkit”.
- 2011: Toulon France. “How Trainees Learn”.
- 2013 – 2014: Aalborg, Denmark, Sydney Australia: “Teachers @ Sea: Inspiring Teachers to Inspire Students”.
- 2013 – 2014: Dunedin, NZ, Adelaide SA, and A’Coruna Spain: “Effects of Sail Training on Engagement with Learning”.
- 2014: Sydney, Australia “Writing HSC Assessment Tasks in Science”
- 2016: Quebec, Canada, “Sail Training Research”.
- 2016: Halmstad, Sweden “Facilitation Techniques”
- 2017: Bordeaux, France, “Research into Sail Training / Group Dynamics and Teamwork Facilitation”
In 2011 I received the STI Volunteer of the Year Award for services to the Australian Sail Training Association.
My hobbies include, education, youth development, sailing puppetry, theatre and film, silver jewellery, circus arts, writing, kung fu, film making and sword play.
I have written and produced a number of short films and am an accredited intermediate stage combatant having studied such weapons as Rapier (& accessories), Long Sword, Dueling Sword, Unarmed, Knife, Staff, Fantasy Sword, German Long Sword, I.33 Sword and Buckler, as well as techniques including; Fighting for Film and Hong Kong Fighting to name a few.
I have performed as a stage combatant with the SSCS in such projects as the Australian TV program “Packed to the Rafters” and the Cumberland Industries Annual Awards presentation.
I studied Kung Fu extensively at the Australian WuShu Sports Academy under Master Juliana Zhu learning both unarmed and armed techniques including Chinese Broadsword, Cudgel and Twin Melon Hammers and achieved accreditation with the Australian Kung Fu WuShu Federation and the Martial Arts Industry Association as a Kung Fu instructor and won gold for Dual Weapons in the 2005 Oceania WuShu Competition.
I am also an accomplished Fire Breather having founded the UNSW Circus Society and performed as a principle fire-breather in the 2000 Olympics opening and closing ceremonies.