Sydney STEM Teacher Festival Speakers

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
The University of Sydney

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki is a beloved science communicator whose passion for storytelling has made science accessible to millions. A qualified physicist, doctor, and engineer, Dr Karl is also a prolific author, with 48 books to his name. From hosting the weekly Shirtloads of Science podcast to running free school science Q&As, Dr Karl’s enthusiasm is infectious. As a patron of the Sleek Geeks Eureka Schools Prize, he inspires young scientists to communicate science with creativity and flair.

Professor Manjula Devi Sharma
The University of Sydney

As Director of the STEM Teacher Enrichment Academy, Professor Manjula Sharma is devoted to empowering educators through collaboration and professional learning. Her work combines evidence-based practices and practical resources to enrich STEM teaching. A pioneer in engaging teachers to co-create classroom strategies, Manjula’s approach focuses on lasting change, equity, and innovation. Her passion for equipping teachers with tools to transform their practice ensures a cascade of positive outcomes for generations of students.

Professor Eddie Woo
The University of Sydney

A renowned mathematics educator and advocate for STEM integration, Professor Eddie Woo is a global sensation with over 1.7 million YouTube subscribers and 150 million views. Known for making mathematics accessible and engaging, Eddie is dedicated to elevating teaching practices as the leader of the NSW Department of Education’s Mathematics Growth Team. As a Professor of Practice at the University of Sydney, he shares his expertise with future educators, inspiring them to see maths as an interconnected part of the STEM landscape.

Professor Scott Sleap
The University of Sydney

Professor Scott Sleap is a driving force in Australian STEM education, championing equity and innovation in the classroom. With accolades like the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Secondary Teaching, Scott leads initiatives such as the NSW Department of Education’s STEM Industry School Partnerships Program and the NSW Virtual STEM Academy. As a Professor of Practice in STEM at the University of Sydney, he focuses on empowering educators with cutting-edge teaching strategies and building transformative industry partnerships that enhance student outcomes.

Dr Catherine Ball
Scientific Futurist

A scientific futurist and thought leader, Dr Catherine Ball is celebrated for her work at the intersection of emerging technologies and humanitarian causes. From pioneering the use of drones in conservation to advising game-changing start-ups, Catherine demystifies emerging tech to inspire educators and students alike. Her global projects and engaging storytelling empower audiences to embrace technology as a force for good in education and beyond.

Dr Vanessa Pirotta
Wildlife Scientist

Dr Vanessa Pirotta merges cutting-edge technology with conservation science, from using drones to collect whale snot to developing AI tools to combat wildlife trafficking. A passionate communicator, Vanessa has been recognised as one of Science and Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM and the Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Women of Influence. As the lead scientist for Wild Sydney Harbour, she connects communities with marine life while promoting the fusion of Indigenous knowledge and Western science.

Megan Kelly
NSW Department of Education

Megan Kelly is the Executive Director of Curriculum at the NSW Department of Education. The NSW Curriculum Reform is a program to deliver a new curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 12 from 2024, the most comprehensive reform of the NSW school curriculum in 3 decades. The Reform is an ambitious opportunity to support teachers in NSW Public Schools to implement and teach the new curriculum and strengthen evidence based pedagogy and assessment practices. The Curriculum team Megan leads provides extensive implementation support to teachers, school and system leaders which includes professional learning, advice and resources

Sham Nair
NSW Department of Education

Dr Sham Nair is Science Coordinator, 7-12, at the NSW Department of Education. Dr Nair’s career spans academia, scientific research and school teaching. His scientific research focused on the intersection between immunology and genomics in various organisms. He has taught undergraduate science courses and supervised postgraduate research students, and continues to teach pre-service science teachers in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. His professional interests are focused on advancing science education through innovative curriculum design (spanning Australia and the USA), impactful assessment strategies, and creating authentic classroom learning environments that foster deep thinking and reasoning.

Professor Stuart Khan
The University of Sydney

Head of School of Civil Engineering, University of Sydney. Stuart’s  research interests are centred around the themes of ‘urban water management’ and ‘water quality and treatment’. This includes drinking water supply and quality, wastewater and stormwater management, water reuse, pollution control, and risk assessment. He has a podcast on “The sewage solution – The promise of recycled water and why it’s so hard to swallow”. 

Professor Marjorie Valix
The University of Sydney

Head of School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney. Corrosion caused by acid-generating micro-organisms causes billions of dollars’ worth of damage to infrastructure every year. Marjorie researches this natural but destructive process to address major global challenges such as climate change and environmental risks. Marjorie’s research is developing technologies using micro-organisms to effectively and rapidly use mining wastes as carbon sink. 

Dr Jeremy Qiu
The University of Sydney

Dr Jeremy Qiu is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Sydney. Dr. Jeremy Qiu’s research interests focus on the planning of low-carbon energy systems, including the optimal allocation of photovoltaic (PV) systems, energy storage systems, electric vehicles (EVs) and their charging stations, as well as hydrogen technologies. Additionally, he is engaged in data analytics within electricity markets and Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in energy trading and pricing.

Dr Elliot Varoy
The University of Sydney

Senior Lecturer at the School of Computer Science, University of Sydney. Elliot Varoy’s work encompasses a range of topics including learning outcomes and tools, with a particular emphasis on object-oriented and visual programming. He explores advanced concepts and agile development methodologies. Additionally, his interests extend to alternative programming languages, automatic generation techniques, base classes, and class diagrams.