Page 33 - Journal 2018A

Nicci Wheaton is a secondary school science and mathematics teacher with more than 10 years experience. She is passionate about engaging students in science education through hands-on inquiry-based learning.
Nicci was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2010 and travelled to the USA to study innovative practices that improve engagement of students in science and promote a positive learning culture.
“I attribute a lot of the engagement in my classroom to the resources I was able to obtain on my Churchill Fellowship and returned to share as a Churchill Fellow,” Nicci recently said.
Not only sharing her knowledge with students, Nicci provides professional development to her educational peers through interactive workshops and is focused on creating a culture of thinking in her lessons by promoting creative, innovative and analytical teaching through Harvard’s Project Zero.
Nicolette is the recipient of an Australian Government Quality Schooling Award, the Education Minister’s Medal of Distinction, a Government Science and Engineering Award for Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, and is only 1 of 12 out of 1450 teachers nominated to receive the 2017 ASG National Excellence in Teaching Award and received a highly commended for the Prime Ministers Prizes for Science in 2017.
“The enhanced awareness and interest in STEM-related learning is both opportune and exciting,” Neil says.
“As future innovation and global changes create new opportunities and challenges in the years ahead, love of, and achievement in the STEM subjects offer students the mindset, skills and passion to be the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.”
“It goes without saying that the most rewarding and productive learning environments are the ones where teachers and students are working in a respectful and purposeful manner. Integral to this for me is having fun during the learning process – share and laugh with students and importantly celebrate success and learn from mistakes,” Neil advises.
Neil is the proud recipient of the 2017 Prime Ministers Prize for Science for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools.
You can nd out more information on classroom STEM projects via neilbramsen.edublogs.org
Neil Bramsen as Assistant Principal at Mt Ousley Public School travelled to the US and UK on a Churchill Fellowship in 2014 to study programs that successfully engage and enthuse primary and middle school students in maths, engineering and science learning.
Apply for a Churchill Fellowship
If you are an educator with a STEM project that needs further investigation and examination overseas, then consider applying for a Churchill Fellowship.
Applications open in February 2019. To nd out more visit www.churchillfellowships.com.au
Number 01 / 2018
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