Biography

I have had an interest in biological exploration from an early age. My first collection at the age of 8, was a shell collection, I then moved on to rocks and a preserved reptile collection. As a young teenager, I cultivated tadpoles, lizards and antlions. Living adjacent to a state forest meant that I was able to jump the fence and remove tags from trees selected for removal, my first radical act as an environmental conservationist. I contimue this passion for environmental conservation today.

This passion for science continued and as a young adult, I studied horticulture, plant science, ecology and Earth Science. In the last few years, I took my three children out of School for a year and travelled around Australia with them, helping them learn as they explored the wonders of the natural world.

I am currently the Subject Coordinator for BIO100 (Concepts of Biology) and AGR202 (Food, Culture and the Environment) at Charles Sturt University. BIO100 is a large first-year subject and involves a diverse cohort of both on campus and distance education (online) students. I organises and deliver the practicals , lectures and tutorials for the on-campus students and the residential school for distance education students. I like to provide practical hands-on resources and support for students from all walks of life. I teach using a multimedia approach where possible, that engages students in new and innovative ways of learning.

AGR202 covers climate change, sustainable agriculture, ethics and Indigenous land management and is taught to second-year Bachelor of Agriculture and Bachelor of Business Management students. This subject takes students on a sometimes challenging journey and encourages reflection on cultural and ethical beliefs relating to agricultural land management within a science-based context. I am also the Wagga campus coordinator for SCI102 (Experience Science), a subject designed to expose 1st-year education students to scientific concepts, knowledge and practice to help strengthen their science-based teaching.

With a degree a BSc from CSU, majoring in Plant Science with distinction (online) and currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching at the tertiary level, I also have a special interest in outreach science activities for primary age children.