Aussie Stem Stars Suzy Urbaniak

Age range 9 to 12 Aussie STEM Stars is an inspiring children's series that celebrates Australia's experts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. About Suzy Urbaniak 'Many people tend to follow the crowd, but never ask 'Why?' Suzy Urbaniak taught me so many things. This new way of thinking changed how I view the world.' - Year 6 CoRE Student, 2022 Geologist Suzy Urbaniak is a limbo-dancer, a crepe-baker, a risk-taker and a question-asker. Winner of the 2016 Prime Minister's Prize for her out-of-the-box teaching, Suzy is all about passion, innovation, and doing things your own way. Because life is what's out there, in #therealclassroom About this series Each book is written by an award-winning children's author and celebrates the real-life stories of some of Australia's top scientists and inventors, chosen on the basis of their pioneering work. Themes explored include childhood, school, family, and formative experiences, what inspired them to pursue their chosen path, how they persevered in the face of challenges, and their contribution to science all over the world.

Age range 9 to 12 Aussie STEM Stars is an inspiring children’s series that celebrates Australia’s experts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. About Suzy Urbaniak 'Many people tend to follow the crowd, but never ask ‘Why?’ Suzy Urbaniak taught me so many things. This new way of thinking changed how I view the world.' — Year 6 CoRE Student, 2022 Geologist Suzy Urbaniak is a limbo-dancer, a crepe-baker, a risk-taker and a question-asker. Winner of the 2016 Prime Minister’s Prize for her out-of-the-box teaching, Suzy is all about passion, innovation, and doing things your own way. Because life is what’s out there, in #therealclassroom About this series Each book is written by an award-winning children’s author and celebrates the real-life stories of some of Australia’s top scientists and inventors, chosen on the basis of their pioneering work. Themes explored include childhood, school, family, and formative experiences, what inspired them to pursue their chosen path, how they persevered in the face of challenges, and their contribution to science all over the world.

Age range 9+ Growing up in London, Michelle’s interests frequently bumped up against expectations of girls which she pushed through, including her love of playing soccer and chess, and later, her passion for science and technology. Professor Simmons is well-known for creating the field of atomic electronics. Since 2000 she established the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology dedicated to the making of tiny atomic-scale devices in silicon and germanium. Her research group at the University of New South Wales is the only group worldwide that can create atomically precise devices in silicon. It was also the first team in the world to develop a working ‘perfect’ single-atom transistor and the narrowest conducting doped wires in silicon. In 2018 Michelle became Australian of the Year and is an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow. She is passionate about encouraging girls to pursue a career in science and technology: ‘Seeing women in leadership roles and competing internationally … gives them the sense that anything is possible’.

Aussie STEM Stars is an inspiring children's series that celebrates Australia's experts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics As Australia's Chief Scientist, our country has turned to Alan Finkel for advice on everything from the climate, to AI, to the pandemic. But at a time when scientists have never been so important, Alan nearly didn't become one at all. Growing up in Melbourne as the son of immigrants who fled the Holocaust, Alan had to find the courage to make his own choices - even when they weren't quite what his family had in mind. Alan's story is one of being brave, loving your family and always aiming for excellence. Dr Finkel commenced as Australia's Chief Scientist on 25 January 2016. This followed an extensive science background as an entrepreneur, engineer, neuroscientist and educator, and an industrial career producing breakthrough scientific instruments for academic neurosciences and pharmaceutical drug discovery. He served as President of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE), and for eight years as Chancellor of Monash University. He has been Chair of multiple companies dedicated to scientific research and was named the 2016 Victorian of the Year. Alan is committed to science education and has founded numerous magazines and education programs for schools and organisations. His career is defined by creative leadership, initiatives, philanthropy and innovative scientific publishing. He has been a strong and effective advocate for governmental and industrial support of innovation and research in science and engineering.

Age range 9 to 14 Aussie STEM Stars is an inspiring children's series that celebrates Australia's experts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics As Australia's Chief Scientist, our country has turned to Alan Finkel for advice on everything from the climate, to AI, to the pandemic. But at a time when scientists have never been so important, Alan nearly didn't become one at all. Growing up in Melbourne as the son of immigrants who fled the Holocaust, Alan had to find the courage to make his own choices - even when they weren't quite what his family had in mind. Alan's story is one of being brave, loving your family and always aiming for excellence. Dr Finkel commenced as Australia's Chief Scientist on 25 January 2016. This followed an extensive science background as an entrepreneur, engineer, neuroscientist and educator, and an industrial career producing breakthrough scientific instruments for academic neurosciences and pharmaceutical drug discovery. He served as President of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE), and for eight years as Chancellor of Monash University. He has been Chair of multiple companies dedicated to scientific research and was named the 2016 Victorian of the Year. Alan is committed to science education and has founded numerous magazines and education programs for schools and organisations. His career is defined by creative leadership, initiatives, philanthropy and innovative scientific publishing. He has been a strong and effective advocate for governmental and industrial support of innovation and research in science and engineering.

Age range 9 to 14 Aussie STEM Stars is an inspiring children's series that celebrates Australia's experts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Eddie Woo has already packed a lot into his short life. Australian High School Maths teacher, education ambassador and advisor, author, TV Host and YouTube sensation, Eddie has been putting the magic in maths for the past ten years, allowing students to learn in creative and practical ways, and being at the forefront of school-based integrated STEM education. His is an inspiring story of empathy, generosity, mentorship, personal connection, and overcoming adversity. In 2012 Eddie began to film his classroom lessons for a sick student, and put them up on YouTube, on his 'WooTube' channel. This became a valuable mechanism for students to direct their own learning at a pace that suited them. 'WooTube' now has over 1 million subscribers around the world. On discovering that teachers in training found his videos an invaluable window into actual classrooms and what exemplary teaching looks like in action, he created a separate channel where teachers can share their expertise. Eddie is well known across Australia as an advocate for teachers and the importance of teaching. He has written for and been featured in specialist teaching press and in national and international media; served on on education advisory boards; given TED talks; published his own books; and won numerous awards, including Australia Day Local Hero of the Year and being named as one of the world's Top 10 teachers.