The show, this first term of 2024 will probably have a different feel to it because quite unexplainably I have been awarded the Queensland Cooper Hewitt fellowship and am spending 12 weeks working at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York. My aim is to create an introductory program to design teaching that will compliment the ITD teacher pathway program which is offering a pathway for teachers of other areas to come across to our side. 

Today, I’m speaking with Kirsten McNally and Nadia Kim who are two of the educators at Cooper Hewitt and primarily work with teenagers in different programs across the museum. One of their programs is called the hive, A year long program to which students from the New York area apply. From over 300 applications 12 are chosen or in this case they just couldn’t choose, and the number went to 13.  Now one of the exciting things is that these kids are from low socio-economic families, so instead of just being accepted to the program they are interned, which means they get paid something like a part time job wage.  Many would have had to choose part time work instead of the program if this wasn’t the case.  Two passionate young ladies doing great work what a great conversation and just to set the scene, this was recorded in the library of Andrew Carnegie’s mansion - which is now the museum - overlooking central park.

Thank you, Kirsten thank you Nadia, I had a great time!

Today, I’m speaking with Andrew Devoy. Andrew is the well, what we in the department call a head of department technology at the Marist college in Ashgrove and if you were to look back at the list of guests on this show you will see Andrew’s name as one of the very first.  There is a reason I want to have him back and that comes down to a very simple question.  When I as him what exciting things are happening at you school, his eyes light up, he starts to speak and I can guarantee you there are always several exciting things happening. Today we talk about the future of the opportunities for his students and a new subject, a certificate III in engineering that he is currently building and his passion to share the processes and skills needed to first draw, then produce, and then fly. Of course, if you are going to introduce a new subject it should include a licence to fly, shouldn’t it.  I love talking to Andrew, he just makes me feel excited about this job we do, which is of course to help create sensational young people. 

Thank you Andy, I had a great time!

Shantell is a Maths teacher and I am going to try not to hold that against her mainly because of what a sensational thing she is doing with her students. She has guided 5 of her students through the building and racing and winning the inaugural - that means first ever - Australian Hydrogen Grand Prix. 

Today, I’m speaking with Jamie Lay, Jamie is one of our young design and technology teachers who is stepping up and has joined DATTA and taken the responsibility for managing our design student awards which is what we are going to talk about today, but before we begin, I have just spent my weekend watching some very competitive voung people racing around a track in Nunda for 16 hours over night and finishing at 7.00 am. This competition is incredible to see. Kids working hard to be as good as they can be.  Sadly I am not seeing it enough in the school setting so it is great to taslk today about another way your students can excel and get to compete with others from all over the state. And just putting it out there, there are a lot of private schools that get out there and show how great there students are. I think it is time we in the public sector shoud give it a go too. 

Thank you Jamie for the chat.

Today, I’m speaking with Tony Grudinski who kinda does the same thing I do, recording information that is, the difference being that his stuff is so interesting that he is looking into using artificial intelligence to publish his videos in many different languages.  I am telling you that now because it is something we don’ talk about in our chat and I don’t think he is going to talk about it at the conference either, but I may be wrong.  You see Tony is a robotics Guru and that is the focus of his conference presentation and I have to say the passion that just bubbles up when he is talking about what he does just make me want to head down and see him on Thursday afternoon 

Thank you Tony, can’t wait!

Today, I’m speaking with Sally Lawrence. Now, she is probably one of those people that would well and truly deserve one of our teacher excellence awards, that is if she was still in the classroom. That is our good fortune cause now she talks to teachers about the 8 ways of aboriginal learning which has an amazing alignment with our design practices. This year her focus is the bunya nut. You just won’t believe how this delicious food fits into the design and technologies curriculum. I reckon you have guessed that I am very impressed by this lady and that is because every time I see her speak I leave with a mind full of ideas.

Thank you Sally, can’t wait!

Today, I'm speaking with Vinesh Chandra now. Vinesh and his co-author, Basil Slynko, are talking to us at this year's conference. You can see them on the first day. My ears pricked up right from the start when I found out that they taught together an eternity ago in one of my old stomping grounds. That's Bundamba and Ipswich many years and many textbooks later, they are here to introduce a new design workbook that has taken a generation of experience to produce, probably perfect for those new to our area, the ones that are coming in from the Technologies Pathways. And to tell you the truth, many of us who are old and perhaps just a little bit stuck in our own ways, you'll be able to join their workshop on the first day of the conference from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm.

Today, I’m speaking with Beth Welden. Now, Beth is talking to us at this year’s conference, and you can see her on the first day. She is talking about our sustainable future using timber and I have to say the few minutes we had together made me realise that I am sadly lacking in my understanding of where our timber comes from and what its influence is. If you are like me this presentation is a must on the first morning of our conference. Thank you Beth, I did learn plenty and looking forward to lots more!

Today, I'm speaking with Mike King. Now, Mike is talking to us at this year's conference,and you can see him on the first day. And if you really want to see, you may have to push me out of the way, because I'll be sitting right up the front, ready to go. Now, over the last few years, he has worked with his students to build some major technology projects,from scrap metal statues to caravans to electric vehicles.This is just a preview, a quick chat to let you know what to expect in just a few weeks time at the Datta conference.

Now, let's have a quick chat with Mike.

Today, I am speaking with Daniel Spat, now Dan is the Queensland chair o the Design Institute of Australia, a working designer at Integral and the speaker at our conference dinner on Thursday evening the 15th of June. Dan is in a rather unique position to talk to what is needed for our kids to aim for a career in and Design. Quite an insightful chat, I know it has me looking at the way I am doing things.  Oh before we start don’t forget to look around your staffroom because you may be sitting right beside this year Teacher Excellence Award winner. If you know someone who deserves to be applauded go to the award pages on our website for all the information. Now lets have a chat with Daniel.

Thank you Dan, it was great fun!

Website for more information:  https://www.dattaqld.org.au/teacher-excellence-awards/