Today I am thrilled to be introducing you to the new executive of the Queen. Today I am thrilled to be introducing you to the new executive of the Queensland chapter of the Design and Technology Teachers Association.

In this episode of the Bridge Building Podcast, host Stephen Anderson is joined by Hamish Cranitch, an inspiring young teacher whose journey is a testament to resilience and passion in the teaching profession. Hamish, new to teaching design and navigating the challenges of a workshop environment, shares his experiences as he transitions from a different subject area and learns the ropes of hands-on, technical instruction.

Hamish is fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive network of experienced teachers who are eager to help him succeed. But as Stephen highlights, this level of mentorship isn’t available to every new teacher. Together, they discuss the importance of proper guidance, the value of upskilling in the trades, and the responsibilities that come with teaching in workshop spaces that demand care and confidence.

Tune in to hear an authentic conversation about the challenges and rewards of being a beginning teacher, especially in technical education. This episode is both a success story in the making and a reminder of the powerful impact seasoned mentors can have on fresh educators.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of mentorship and support for beginning teachers.

• Navigating the challenges of teaching in high-risk workshop environments.

• Hamish's journey from a different subject area into technical education.

• How experienced teachers can help bridge the gap for new educators.

Whether you're a seasoned teacher, a new educator, or simply interested in the evolving landscape of technical education, this episode is sure to resonate. Listen in, and let’s build bridges for the next generation of teachers.

Welcome to the Bridge Building Podcast: From Technology to the Trades! In this episode, host Stephen Anderson interviews Zoe Keidge, an inspiring designer-turned-teacher and the recipient of the 2024 Queensland Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Fellowship. Tune in as Zoe shares her journey from design into teaching and her passion for expanding the design industry in new and innovative ways.

Episode Overview: In this session, Zoe Keidge gives us a glimpse into her life as both a creative and an educator. As one of only 12 people awarded the prestigious 2024 Queensland Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Fellowship, Zoe talks about the unique experiences that have shaped her path. You’ll hear about her early design career, her transition into the classroom, and how she’s inspiring the next generation of designers with her passion and energy.

In this episode, you’ll hear the story of how Martin is guiding his students to build a functional recycling facility right within their school. Along the way, he shares valuable insights into the challenges and successes of this project, as well as practical advice for anyone interested in pursuing similar initiatives.

• Key Takeaways: Design Meets Education: How Zoe's background in design enhances her teaching methods and student engagement.
• Building the Future of Design: Learn about Zoe's mission to grow and expand the design field through education.
• Award-Winning Educator: Insights into Zoe’s experience earning the Queensland Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Fellowship.
• Bringing Creativity to the Classroom: How Zoe’s innovative approach to design education is making an impact on her students.

Welcome to the Bridge Building Podcast: From Technology to the Trades! In this episode, host Stephen Anderson sits down with Martin Bannard, a robotics and design teacher who's tackling a monumental project with his year 10 design class: setting up a school-sized recycling facility.

About This Episode: Martin Bannard describes himself as a teacher who approaches design and technology from an unconventional angle. His optimism—what he humorously calls "horrendously pathologically optimistic"—is driving a project that’s both ambitious and inspiring. 

In this episode, you’ll hear the story of how Martin is guiding his students to build a functional recycling facility right within their school. Along the way, he shares valuable insights into the challenges and successes of this project, as well as practical advice for anyone interested in pursuing similar initiatives.

Episode Highlights:

• A Creative Approach: Learn how Martin combines robotics, design, and sustainability to create a hands-on learning experience for his students.

• Grant Writing Success: Discover the strategies Martin used to secure funding for this project, making it a perfect example for anyone considering writing a grant.

• Resources and More: While this podcast is audio-only, we’ve included links in the show notes to all the sites, documents, and resources Martin mentions. If you're interested in seeing the video version of this conversation or would like access to the original call, let us know!

Join the Conversation: Martin Bannard’s passion for teaching and his innovative approach to design and technology will leave you inspired. If you'd like to see this episode in video format or have any questions, reach out—we’d love to hear from you!

Listen to the Episode: Listen Now

Resources and Links:

• https://www.preciousplastic.com/

• https://www.plastic.org.au/pages/education?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwk8e1BhALEiwAc8MHiPTt3PQIKk733Ft3Jw2j9YUdaZJsNEORne9VIxwwi8IakKQYb4GlUxoCbL8QAvD_BwE

• https://theconversation.com/study-links-microplastics-with-human-health-problems-but-theres-still-a-lot-we-dont-know-225354

• https://vietnamnet.vn/en/save-our-seas-photo-expo-tells-sad-story-of-plastic-pollution-in-vietnam-539172.html#:~:text=The%20author%2C%20photographer%20Nguyen%20Viet,long%2Dstanding%20issue%20in%20Vietnam.

• https://www.antoinerepesse.com/

• https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2023/jan/23/plastic-pirouettes-japans-recycled-bottle-ballet

• https://visi.co.za/stephan-gladieus-congolese-waste-photography/

• https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2022/march/could-seaweed-replace-plastic

Welcome to the Bridge Building Podcast: From Technology to the Trades! In this episode, Stephen Anderson sits down with Phillip Murdoch, a fellow design and technology teacher who is on a mission to foster collaboration in education.

About This Episode: When Stephen returned to teaching in 2017, he noticed a significant issue: teachers often work in isolation, contrary to the collaborative learning environments we aim to create for our students. Phillip Murdoch is tackling this problem head-on with his podcast, where he interviews fascinating individuals about various aspects of teaching.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How collaboration among teachers can enhance student learning

• Insights into the role and perception of design and tech teachers in school communities

• Phillip’s journey and experiences as a design and technology teacher

Listen to Phillip Murdoch's Podcast: Phillip Murdoch's Podcast

Connect with Phillip Murdoch on LinkedIn: Phillip Murdoch on LinkedIn

About Our Guest: Phillip Murdoch is a passionate educator and podcaster who is dedicated to transforming the educational landscape. His podcast features in-depth conversations with educators and thought leaders, aiming to inspire and promote collaborative practices in teaching.

In This Episode: We continue our focus on creativity by featuring an inspiring conversation with Steve Muir, a Humanities teacher who is breaking the mold in Hervey Bay. Despite the stereotype that Humanities is all about sitting and reading, Steve is doing things differently. He's using iPads and augmented reality to make history come alive for his students.

What You’ll Learn:

How Steve uses augmented reality to create immersive learning experiences, like giving students a virtual tour of the Colosseum while they walk around the school oval.

Why Steve’s claim that he’s “not a creative person” is something we should all take note of especially considering the incredibly creative work he’s doing.

The importance of embracing creativity in teaching, even when you're not sure something will work.

Episode Highlights:

• Setting an Example: Steve Muir isn’t just teaching history; he’s reimagining how it’s taught, using technology to engage his students in a whole new way.
• Augmented Reality in Education: Discover how Steve’s innovative approach is making history interactive and exciting for his students.
• Overcoming Doubts: Steve shares his experience of trying something new, even when he wasn’t sure it would succeed and how that risk paid off.

You can find Steve here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrstevemuir7/ Here is a look at reality composer: https://www.youtube.com/watch

Over the course of this year I have come to the belief that our subject area if done well is a haven for the generation of creativity, and the concern we have is that when training our teachers there is little or no emphasis on how to teach this creativity or design thinking.

Today, I am talking to Jamie Gerlach from 4C transformative learning and I love how he explains it. Creativity as a process. Creativity is a process, when you think of it like that all sorts of possibilities arise. 

Today, I am honoured to be talking to a simply sensational teacher who began her life as a automotive designer and what can I say she is doing some great things for her students. I ran across her on linked in where she was telling of a method she uses to show how important prototyping is when designing. The conversation runs at a few tangents, from the marshmellow challenge to Elon Musk but, I am sure there are some gems in here for you. Prototyping is one of the things, I think many do badly. Megan and I discuss just why that might be.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.  

Welcome Megan Detering from Canberra Girls Grammar.  

Today, I am speaking with Terri Quinn, now Terri is the program manager for the Technologies Teacher Pathway Program. Today she will share a bit about the program and how she is taking steps to help fix the teacher shortage we have in this state Rosie. If

Right off the back of a very successful Datta conference and quite frankly I am seriously excited about the future of education, I have the pleasure of spending some time with two sensational educators. Scott Millar and Megan King will spearhead a conference in July called the “Future of Education Summit” and you are just about to hear that they base this future on giving our students access to and the ability to practice and use those 21st-century skills. And one of the staples of their methods is design thinking.

Now I do give Scott a bit of a hard time because, well he is just way too young to have the amount of smarts that he is carrying around and you do have to call that out. But seriously, when you realise that the business he is running started as a Business/design project in high school you will see him as a true success arising from our area. I didn’t ask him which school he went to and I should have because it sounds like it could be the next place for me.

So please enjoy this slightly longer-than-usual conversation about the future of education and the summit which is being held at Canterbury College on the 25th of July 2024.