Keynote Speaker
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
Julius Sumner Miller Fellow, School of Physics, University of Sydney
Keynote presentation: Potential for Science and STEM to solve the worlds problems’
Australia’s favourite scientist, Dr Karl has qualifications in science, maths, engineering, medicine and surgery. He is the author of over 40 books as well as a popular broadcaster and media personality. He is known for his unique ability to make science relatable and engaging and is a passionate advocate for science and STEM education.
Keynote Speaker
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
Julius Sumner Miller Fellow, School of Physics, University of Sydney
Keynote presentation: Potential for Science and STEM to solve the worlds problems’
Australia’s favourite scientist, Dr Karl has qualifications in science, maths, engineering, medicine and surgery. He is the author of over 40 books as well as a popular broadcaster and media personality. He is known for his unique ability to make science relatable and engaging and is a passionate advocate for science and STEM education.
Keynote Speaker
Dr Catherine Ball
Scientific Futurist, Tech Influencer, Author, Champion of Diversity, Drone Expert, Associate Professor, SISP Program Ambassador
Keynote presentation: The Future is here!
Dr Catherine Ball l is a scientific futurist, speaker, advisor, author, founder, executive producer, executive director, and company director working across global projects where emerging technologies meet humanitarian, education and environmental needs. Catherine also likes to create businesses and champion movements, collaborate with peers, and advise game-changers.
Keynote Speaker
Dr Catherine Ball
Scientific Futurist, Tech Influencer, Author, Champion of Diversity, Drone Expert, Associate Professor, SISP Program Ambassador
Keynote presentation: The Future is here!
Dr Catherine Ball l is a scientific futurist, speaker, advisor, author, founder, executive producer, executive director, and company director working across global projects where emerging technologies meet humanitarian, education and environmental needs. Catherine also likes to create businesses and champion movements, collaborate with peers, and advise game-changers.
Keynote Speaker
Nathan Towney
Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership – The University of Newcastle
Keynote presentation: Practical strategies to strengthen understanding of Aboriginal Education
A Wiradjuri man, Nathan’s appointment at The University of Newcastle follows 20 years with the NSW Department of Education managing the Aboriginal Education team and as the Principal of Newcastle High School. As a STEM 2022 Keynote Speaker, Nathan will explore the concept of Aboriginal Education from a historical and personal perspective and share practical strategies to strengthen understanding on Aboriginal Education.
Keynote Speaker
Nathan Towney
Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership – The University of Newcastle
Keynote presentation: Practical strategies to strengthen understanding of Aboriginal Education
A Wiradjuri man, Nathan’s appointment at The University of Newcastle follows 20 years with the NSW Department of Education managing the Aboriginal Education team and as the Principal of Newcastle High School. As a STEM 2022 Keynote Speaker, Nathan will explore the concept of Aboriginal Education from a historical and personal perspective and share practical strategies to strengthen understanding on Aboriginal Education.
Keynote Speaker
Prof. Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles
Executive Dean, Faculty of Education at Southern Cross University
Keynote presentation: Nature Play in STEM
Over the last ten years, there has been a rapid resurgence in supporting ‘open free nature play’ in education settings. The justification of this resurgence has been most prominently popularised by the introduction of ‘forest school’ models emanating from Scandinavian countries. Nature play is not new; it has historical grounding in Indigenous ways and practices, and through the works of Socrates, Rousseau, Froebel, Steiner, Dewey, and Reggio Emilia. Conversely, recent analysis in childhood studies identifies that education has tended to frame childhood as a social or cultural construct with little consideration of nature. Contemporary posthuman theorising in childhood studies has been at the forefront of disrupting the separation of children and nature by asking questions such as: What is nature? What happens when children are viewed as part of nature? What does nature play look like at school? What STEM concepts do children learn through nature play? In this keynote, Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles squarely focuses on these pertinent questions by drawing upon national and international research projects with teacher and child researchers.
Keynote Speaker
Prof. Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles
Executive Dean, Faculty of Education at Southern Cross University
Keynote presentation: Nature Play in STEM
Over the last ten years, there has been a rapid resurgence in supporting ‘open free nature play’ in education settings. The justification of this resurgence has been most prominently popularised by the introduction of ‘forest school’ models emanating from Scandinavian countries. Nature play is not new; it has historical grounding in Indigenous ways and practices, and through the works of Socrates, Rousseau, Froebel, Steiner, Dewey, and Reggio Emilia. Conversely, recent analysis in childhood studies identifies that education has tended to frame childhood as a social or cultural construct with little consideration of nature. Contemporary posthuman theorising in childhood studies has been at the forefront of disrupting the separation of children and nature by asking questions such as: What is nature? What happens when children are viewed as part of nature? What does nature play look like at school? What STEM concepts do children learn through nature play? In this keynote, Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles squarely focuses on these pertinent questions by drawing upon national and international research projects with teacher and child researchers.
Keynote Speaker
Lisa Harvey-Smith
Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador, Astrophysicist, Author
Special presentation: Future You
Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith embodies the self-made learning journey. Her journey shows our students that their choices and passions can forge a wonderful path; a life and love of learning. As Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador, Lisa may have a focus on projecting girls beyond barriers in STEM disciplines, yet her style transcends gender – her goal is to tackle gender stereotypes in early education, empowering all students to live their passion and harness their self-belief. She stands by an education system that achieves equal representation of women and men working in all fields in STEM.
Keynote Speaker
Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith
Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador, Astrophysicist, Author
Special presentation: Future You
Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith embodies the self-made learning journey. Her journey shows our students that their choices and passions can forge a wonderful path; a life and love of learning. As Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador, Lisa may have a focus on projecting girls beyond barriers in STEM disciplines, yet her style transcends gender – her goal is to tackle gender stereotypes in early education, empowering all students to live their passion and harness their self-belief. She stands by an education system that achieves equal representation of women and men working in all fields in STEM.
