The Banyule Nillumbik and Whittlesea Tech Schools are celebrating science-related career paths during National Science Week 2020. The campaign aims to showcase science by celebrating the people that are at the centre! National Science Week 2020 runs from August 15-23. For more information visit the National Science Week website.

When developing our programs, we reach out to industry partners to help us build case studies that improve student’s empathy towards a topic. In our most recent Design Challenge, Human-Animal Interactions, Edmond from the Whittlesea Council shared his insights. Edmond has a science background and is currently working as a sustainability officer for local government. To read more on what he shared with us, check out the interview below.

What did you study at school? 

Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths

What did you do when you left school? 

I went to University, travelled the world, and then worked in manufacturing businesses 

What do you currently do for work? 

Local Government Officer – Sustainability Education 

What inspired you to choose this career path? 

Pursuit of environmental sustainability; My main motivation was to help address Climate Change and other environmental problems that society faces. 

Have there been any unexpected implications of your work? 

Attempting to link sustainability with STEM, STEAM and computer technology; Technology can play a big role in helping to solve some of the world’s environmental problems. In my role I never thought I would be teaching students about the relationship between technology and sustainability.

What are you most proud of achieving within this role? 

Diversity of projects and the ability to providing students with a broad education that is relevant to future career paths in sustainability; Helping the students I teach enter events such as the Young ICT Explorers competition and the NGV Victorian Design Challenge. 

What would you say are the key skills needed for your role? 

Good knowledge of ICT and an interest in the natural world. Willingness to tinker and learn.  

What advice would you give to young people who have an interest in this field? 

Work with small computers (e.g. Raspberry Pi and Arduino) and sensors and look for ways to apply them to small projects at home and at school. Network as much as possible.