Inspiring minds – Celebrating careers in education for World Teachers’ Day

In celebration of World Teachers’ Day, this session brings together a panel of world-class scientists and award-winning educators to discuss the pivotal role of teaching in the STEM ecosystem. The panel explores how teachers ignite curiosity, the diverse pathways that lead to a career in education, and why teaching is one of the most impactful and rewarding STEM careers you can choose.

Host: Kylie Walker (CEO of ATSE) 

Moderator: Professor Brian Schmidt AC FAA FTSE (Nobel Laureate & Former Vice-Chancellor of ANU) 

Guests:

• Veena Nair – 2022 PM’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching & STEAM Lead at Viewbank College
• Professor Scott Sleep – PM’s Prize Winner & STEM Enrichment Coordinator, NSW Dept of Education

Key Discussion Points

1. The backbone of discovery: why teachers matter

• Educators serve as the "bottom of the pyramid" that drives all human advancement by fostering critical thinking and discovery [08:04].
• Impact of teachers on a Nobel laureate [32:16].

2. Non-linear pathways to the classroom

• Veena [18:00].
• Scott [25:06].

3. Innovation in modern education

• Systems engineering and similar application subjects now being recognised as bonus subjects for university entry in Victoria [21:19].
• The importance of equity for regional and remote students through virtual STEM academies [31:20] – https://sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au/nswvsa.html.
• Mastering concepts like mathematics can be achieved more easily by applying it to real-world engineering tasks [40:12].

4. Advice for future educators & students [35:53]

• The best way to master a complex subject is to try and teach it to someone else.
• Believing in yourself and have the confidence to pursue hard things.

Notable Quotes

"Teachers impart knowledge, but that is just a little bit of it. They ignite a passion for discovery that benefits all of humanity." — Professor Brian Schmidt

"Innovation is possible in every single field, every single day. Education offers you the opportunity to do that daily." — Veena Nair

"Education can take you all around the world—to the White House, to NASA, and behind the scenes of history." — Professor Scott Sleep

Useful Links

• STELR Program: ATSE’s national STEM education initiative for schools – www.stelr.org.au
• Elevate Scholarship (atse.org.au/elevate): A university scholarship supporting women in STEM. 
• IMNIS Program (www.imnis.org.au): An industry mentoring network for PhD students.
• Mount Stromlo Observatory: Where Professor Brian Schmidt is based – rsaa.anu.edu.au
• Winston Churchill Trust: Scott Sleep’s fellowship that took him to NASA – churchilltrust.com.au
• Lunaria One: The project Veena advises on, aiming to grow plants on the moon – lunaria.one

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhNY8wq5IIo