Announcing the panel members who will be joining Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell at our exciting 1-day teacher workshop exploring citizen science and authentic enquiry in the classroom.
Join us on 16th October for this free workshop for school teachers.
Panel Speakers:
Chris Duker
Marrickville Public School
A father, children’s entertainer and STEM Teacher Enrichment Academy graduate, Chris applied his science background as a quality control chemist before pursuing a career in teaching. With more than fifteen years’ experience in public education, Chris specialises in integrating digital technologies and STEM across the curriculum, inspiring students from Kindergarten to Year 6 to become curious, critical thinkers.
He has led multidisciplinary STEM units, embedding inquiry-based learning and the design thinking framework into everyday classroom practice. As an energetic speaker at events such as the Inspire Innovate ICT Conference and Sydney STEM Teacher Festival, Chris shares practical strategies for engaging students and staff in hands-on, real-world science.
His leadership was pivotal in Marrickville Public School’s STEM transformation, making authentic projects accessible for all learners. A strong advocate for student wellbeing and collaborative teaching, Chris’s contributions motivate his peers to embrace innovative pedagogies, enriching primary education and lay foundations for lifelong STEM engagement.
Alexander Kammer
Killara High School
Alexander Kammer is a dedicated high school educator currently leading Teaching and Learning for Stage 6 at Killara High School. An alumnus of the University of Sydney, Alexander discovered his passion for education through his scientific background, having taught and conducted research in the School of Chemistry. With extensive experience as Head of Science and Leader of STEM Integration, he focuses on unleashing the scientific potential of every student in a diverse, inclusive learning environment. Known for his commitment to innovative teaching practices, Alexander champions the integration of STEM disciplines to prepare students for future challenges and opportunities in science and technology. His leadership promotes critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, equipping learners with essential skills to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Associate Professor Tanya Latty
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney
Associate Professor Tanya Latty is an entomologist at the University of Sydney with a focus on insect behaviour and ecology. Her interdisciplinary research explores collective behaviour in ants, bees, and slime moulds, combining biology with technology to inspire innovative solutions in areas like pollination, sustainable agriculture, and bio-inspired systems. Tanya’s work also addresses urban pollinator conservation and the development of resilient infrastructure inspired by social insects. She holds a PhD in Insect Ecology and has received numerous prestigious awards, including an Australian Research Council fellowship and a Branco Weiss society fellowship. Tanya is an active science communicator, sharing her passion through media appearances and public talks. She serves as president of the Australian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour and is co-founder of ‘Invertebrates Australia,’ advocating for invertebrate conservation. Tanya’s expertise bridges scientific research and practical applications, making her a respected leader in STEM education and environmental sustainability.
Klementine Burrell-Sander
School of Chemistry, University of Sydney
Klementine Burrell-Sander is a PhD student at the University of Sydney’s School of Chemistry, where she combines an open science approach with traditional synthetic chemistry to develop potential new therapies against diseases of poverty. She is actively involved in the Breaking Good project, an innovative citizen science program that engages high school and university students in the drug discovery process for neglected tropical diseases. Klementine’s work bridges the gap between academic research and education, developing accessible, real-world science experiences that deepen student engagement and understanding. Passionate about inclusion and diverse representation in STEM, she advocates for creating supportive learning environments that empower underrepresented groups. Her research not only advances medicinal chemistry but also emphasises the importance of collaborative, hands-on learning approaches to inspire the next generation of scientists. Through her contributions, Klementine plays a key role in integrating citizen science initiatives into curricula, fostering authentic educational experiences linked to contemporary scientific challenges.
Dr. Alexander Yuen
School of Chemistry, University of Sydney
Dr. Alexander Yuen is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney’s School of Chemistry. He earned both his BSc (Hons I, Medal) and PhD from the University of Sydney. His research focuses on catalytic nanoparticle synthesis, renewable chemicals from biomass, and advanced catalytic processes aimed at sustainability. Recently he has started collaborating with Sydney College of the Arts and the Social Enterprise ‘The Darkroom Social’ to explore sustainable practices in silver-based analogue photography. Dr. Yuen has led significant projects in collaboration with industry partners and the CSIRO, working on innovative methods for converting biomass and plastic waste into valuable chemicals. He is also involved in developing electrocatalytic and plasma-based processes for green ammonia synthesis from air and water. As a group leader in the Laboratory of Advanced Catalysis for Sustainability, Dr. Yuen collaborates closely with other experts to explore sustainable catalytic technologies that address environmental challenges. His work bridges fundamental chemistry and practical applications, contributing to advancements in renewable energy and sustainable chemical production.