Hands-on STEM teaching, from classrooms to museums.
The FizzicsEd Podcast treats science education as something active, playful, and usable. Ben Newsome speaks with educators, museum teams, program leaders, and science communicators about ways to make STEM clearer, more hands-on, and more connected to the world students already know.
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The FizzicsEd Podcast is a STEM education show with a strong classroom pulse. It is practical, chatty, and openly enthusiastic about science learning. Ben Newsome speaks with educators, museum staff, program leaders, and science communicators who are already building ways for students to engage. The show’s range is wide. One episode looks at Eco Detectives Unite, a Minecraft Education experience that connects climate action, systems thinking, biomes, species movement, and wildlife crossings. Another points Australian high school teachers toward the Endeavour Scholarship and the chance for students to frame a focused space-camp application. Physics is treated as a story, too. In the conversation with Kathy Joseph, electricity becomes easier to teach when Ohm, resistance, current, and failed recognition are part of the narrative. The show is comfortable moving from theory to demonstration. A simple sail trolley can become a lesson in wind, tacking, and the physics of boats. Ocean science gets sustained attention through the Australian National Maritime Museum and marine virtual learning in Sarasota, Florida. Those episodes cover oceanography, marine archaeology, underwater Lego, distance learning, and the history of interactive video conferencing for classrooms. Public science communication is another thread. Pint of Science Australia appears as a way to connect researchers with the public and give researchers practice speaking clearly outside academic settings. Science Gallery Melbourne brings in art, local and global problems, and mediation. The Pakistan Science Club episode widens the lens again, focusing on project-based and inquiry-based approaches that promote science culture. Across its episodes, the show keeps returning to useful educational design. It asks how students can build, explain, submit, test, present, and care. The pacing is warm and fast-moving, with plenty of concrete examples for teachers who need usable ideas. It is less about polished theory than about people making STEM happen in real places.
Made for: Educators, science teachers, museum educators, outreach teams, and STEM communicators looking for adaptable teaching ideas and real program examples.
What sets it apart: The show connects classroom practice with science outreach, museums, gaming, marine science, public events, and storytelling. Its strength is the way each conversation turns broad STEM goals into specific activities, programs, and student challenges.
For educators and teachers working to make STEM amazing... no matter whether you're teaching science in grade 1, running a high school lab or delivering science shows in a museum, this education show helps you teach science & technology the way kids want to learn. The FizzicsEd Podcast brings in educators from across Australia and around the world to talk about tips, tricks, lessons and learnings they've had whilst working with students in the classroom and beyond. Hosted by Ben Newsome, a science teacher, author and founder of the multi-award winning science outreach team at Fizzics Education.
Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Ben Newsome turns conversations with science educators and outreach practitioners into concrete lessons about making STEM accessible, participatory and memorable.
Ben Newsome approaches science education through conversations with people doing the work in classrooms, museums and outreach programs. His questions keep returning to a useful concern: how an idea reaches students.
Ohm's law has a human backstory; your next science lesson could use one too.
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Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A practical classroom take on climate learning inside Minecraft Education.
The episode treats Minecraft Education as a working classroom tool for Ecodetectors Unite and the Race to Zero, with climate action and systems thinking kept close to actual teaching use.
A useful guide to turning a space-camp scholarship opportunity into a focused student application.
The episode frames the Endeavour Scholarship as something students can actually act on, not just admire from a distance. Ben Newsome talks with Josh Edwards, Head of Special Projects at the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, about a full scholarship that gives four…
History turns Ohm's law into a human story and a useful classroom tool.
This episode uses the history of physics as its backbone, and Cathy Joseph makes a persuasive case for that approach. She shows how the older habit of teaching science through the people behind discoveries can make Ohm's law feel less like a formula and more like a human story,…
Ocean science feels classroom-ready through museum programs, exhibition work, and a sail-powered physics challenge.
The FizzicsEd Podcast heads to the water with Anna Gregory and Matt Sloan from the Australian National Maritime Museum, shaping marine oceanography, marine archaeology, and student participation into an accessible classroom conversation.
A practical look at marine science education, distance learning, and classroom partnerships.
Ben Newsome frames a practical history of marine science education, moving from Bob Ballard's Jason Project and satellite broadcasts to the ISDN video conferencing that became C-TRAC at the Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida.
Science communication is framed as a craft shaped by audience, relevance, and feedback.
The Physics Ed podcast presents this conversation with Dr. Graham Walker as a broad look at science communication across science shows, hands-on work, paper, fringe festivals, comedy, drama, sculpture, and museum interpretive signage.
A Baltimore STEM pathway built around monthly industry visits, summer placements, and behind-the-scenes exposure.
Deborah Heddleman, CEO of Building Steps, gives the story its center: a Baltimore STEM program serving underserved communities across 15 high schools and helping students move toward college degrees while seeing what STEM jobs look like behind the scenes.
A clear look at the Australian Science Olympiads, with a strong emphasis on reasoning and practice.
The episode looks at the Australian Science Olympiads and the kind of thinking they ask from students. Ali Weirman, the Executive Director of the Australian Science Innovations Group, speaks with a practical edge, shaped by geology training and more than a decade in business.
Strange claims, tested cleanly.
Plainspoken sermons for faithful Christian life.
This episode features an interview with Judy Keller, a technology training specialist, discussing how to integrate software mashups into STEAM lessons for K-6 students.
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This episode features geologist-turned-educator Susie Ebenek discussing her journey, the CoRE Learning Model, and initiatives like gamifying Earth science learning and a graduate mentoring program to inspire geology education.
This episode features an interview with Ehab Gerges, a STEM coordinator and award-winning teacher, discussing his approach to STEM education, integration of race cars and sustainability projects, and his background in engineering and business.
This episode features an interview with Sally Hurst, a museum educator and paleontologist, discussing her work in STEM, paleontology, archaeology, and her efforts to inspire women and rural girls in science.
This episode features an interview with astrophysicist Dr.
This episode features the co-CEOs of Pint of Science Australia discussing their upcoming national festival that brings science to the public through pub events to bridge the gap between research and community engagement.
This episode features an interview with Robert Hollow, CSIRO's Education Outreach Manager for Astronomy and Space Science, discussing his work in developing educational programs and teacher workshops.
This episode features an interview with Dr.
This episode features an interview with Nikki McCarthy-Hicks about Inside Industry, a program that organizes educational field trips to steelworks to showcase STEM applications in manufacturing.
This episode features an interview with Emeritus Professor Tim Roberts and Professor Peter Howley about their Commonwealth-funded project integrating statistics, sustainability, systems thinking, and STEM education to prepare for Industry 5.0 and beyond.
This episode features a conversation between host Ben Newsome and educator Rob McTaggart about current classroom challenges, STEM education strategies, and innovative approaches to supporting teachers in today's educational landscape.
This episode features Sukriti Narayanan discussing her leadership of Mission ShaktiSat, an all-female-led lunar space mission training 12,000 girls globally in satellite building and STEM fields.
This episode explores how scientists can use comedy to improve their communication skills through workshops that train them to deliver presentations that are 80% science and 20% humor.
This episode features Dr.
This episode features an interview with Dr.
This episode features an interview with Miguel Valenzuela, creator of the PancakeBot, a 3D printer that prints pancakes to engage kids in STEM, robotics, and food manufacturing, including its presentation at the White House.
This episode features an interview with award-winning science teacher Veena Nair, discussing her expertise in STEM education, teaching across multiple countries and curriculums, and her passion for integrating technology into science teaching.
This episode features an interview with Associate Professor Mary Coupland discussing innovative approaches to making mathematics more engaging, relevant, and accessible for students in STEM education.
This episode explores the Plants for Space initiative, an Australian research center focused on developing plant systems for space habitation and improving sustainability on Earth, featuring insights from education and engagement managers.
This episode features an interview with award-winning STEM teacher Ian Preston, discussing his achievements, teaching philosophy, and experiences in science education.
This episode of the Physics Ed podcast features an interview with Varian McIntosh and Jesse Chambers from Science Gallery Melbourne, exploring how they combine art and science to foster innovation and community discourse.
This episode features an interview with Kate Kennedy-White, an accredited philosophy teacher trainer, discussing how to incorporate philosophy into classroom teaching to help students think deeply about their world.
This episode features an interview with Kelly McJannett, founder of Food Ladder, discussing her non-profit's work addressing food security through educational gardening programs in remote and Indigenous communities.
This episode explores the TCS Sydney Marathon Go IT Challenge, a student competition focused on developing creative solutions to make marathons more environmentally sustainable.
This episode introduces the Ocean Lovers Festival, a major Australian event combining science, culture, and education, featuring student initiatives like Fish Tank to address ocean sustainability.
This episode explores AROSE, an Australian non-profit consortium focused on remote operations for space and Earth, featuring Michelle Keegan discussing its role in STEM education and industry collaboration.
This episode discusses a student experiment involving growing seeds on the International Space Station through a collaboration with various organizations, offering free participation for Australian schools.
This episode explores how Jonathan Nalder combines space education with drama teaching using digital tools like AR, VR, and AI to enhance student learning.
This episode explores gamification in education with expert Valary Oleinik, discussing how games accelerate learning and understanding in fields like physics and distance learning.
This episode features an interview with Shelley Waldon about STEMMAD, a national STEM program for Catholic schools in Australia that she initiated, discussing her background in geochemistry and environmental science before transitioning to education.
This episode features an interview with Cran Middlecoat, an aviator and motivational speaker, discussing how he overcame a life-changing accident to inspire others about resilience, failure, and aerospace education.
This episode features an interview with Daniel Edwards, a STEM educator who won the Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching and founded Green STEM Education, discussing his work promoting sustainability and equitable access to STEM education in Tasmania.
This episode features Jenny Hughes discussing how cotton can be used as a teaching tool for science education across grade levels, covering its agricultural importance, climate change connections, and common misconceptions.
This episode features an interview with award-winning physics teacher Matt Dodds, who discusses his innovative hands-on teaching methods, including using Lego to build gravitational wave detectors and organizing observatory visits to enhance student understanding.
This episode features an interview with Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith about the Future You initiative, which uses STEM fiction stories to inspire children aged 8-12 to explore STEM careers.
This episode features an interview with Professor Kirsten Benkendorff about her work in marine science, focusing on evidence-based research, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable fisheries.
This episode features an interview with Holly Kershaw about the AVISTA program, a national STEM outreach initiative by AROSE that provides virtual and in-person training and awareness opportunities for high school students across Australia, focusing on defense industry careers and science communication.
This episode features Professor Manjula Sharma discussing science education, assessment, curriculum integration, and STEM project ideas for classrooms during National Science Week.
This episode features an interview with Lesley Gough, a subject coordinator at Western Sydney University, discussing her work in primary science and technology education for teacher training programs.
This episode features an interview with Abdul Ralph, founder of the Pakistan Science Club, discussing his work in promoting science education through project-based learning and teacher training in Pakistan.
This episode features an interview with Brian Host discussing STEM, ICT, and AI education for teachers and students, focusing on practical teaching strategies and projects.
This episode features an interview with Dr.
This episode features an interview with Dr.
This episode explores NatureMapr, Australia's citizen science platform that connects biodiversity data, discussing its educational applications in classrooms and how it empowers people to contribute scientific observations using their phones.
This episode features John Bertels from Bash the Trash Environmental Arts discussing how they use trash to create musical instruments and engage students in science and arts education.
This episode explores integrating emotional intelligence into STEM education through an interview with Dr.
Host Ben Newsome interviews Alyssa Weirman, Executive Director of Australian Science Innovations, about the Australian Science Olympiads.
This episode features Dr.
Host Ben Newsome interviews Deborah Heddleman, CEO of Building Steps, about their nonprofit work in STEM education for underserved high school students in Baltimore.
Ben Newsome speaks with Kelly Pfeiffer about Eco Detectives Unite: The Race to Zero, a Minecraft Education project built around climate action, systems thinking, and curriculum use.
["The Physics Ed podcast episode on the Astronaut Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship puts Josh Edwards of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia in front of Ben Newsome to explain a full scholarship for four Australian students to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.", "Edwards says applicants aged 15 to 18 need a three-minute video and a one-page summary, and the task is set in 2050 with 35 people traveling to Saturn's moon Titan.", "Students must focus on one challenge such as water, food, life support, propulsion, or solar radiation, and Edwards says judges want practical, creative ideas with a technical basis.", "Newsome ties the opportunity to AmCham's science-and-industry network, including CSIRO chief Dr.
Cathy Joseph says many people get stuck on physics math and then “gravitate towards pseudoscience,” which is why she teaches the subject through history and hands-on demonstrations.
The Physics Ed Podcast episode with Anna Gregory and Matt Sloan from the Australian National Maritime Museum covers Brick Wrecks, Shaped by the Sea, and school programs that connect ocean science with history.
Ben Newsome interviews Jason Robertshaw, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium's programs manager for virtual learning in Sarasota, Florida, on The FizzicsEd Podcast.