Fiona Shand
I have always had an interest in Science and the wonder of the natural world. This has been inspired by a love of the outdoors, and the chance to explore its many aspects on camping holidays. I believe successful communication is as important as the science itself. This may be what led me into teaching eight years ago.
I was working in the Tourism Industry, enjoying the opportunities for travel it presented. This resulted in living in Australia, where I worked in Occupational Heath within the hospital system. However, preferring a job with a little more freedom of expression and the chance for involvement in broader areas of science, I undertook a Graduate Diploma in Education. I had previously completed my Science Degree at Manchester Metropolitan University in England in both Biology and Environmental Science with an Honours project on the conservation of the British countryside. During this time I was selected to participate in an exchange program with Buffalo University, New York State, where I was involved in an environmental monitoring project on Lake Erie. Perhaps it was the days spent on a fishing boat on a freezing Canadian lake, the excursions to the Yorkshire Moors during gale force winds, or the field studies on beaches of South Wales with endless rain that made me decide to stay in Australia to continue my studies.
I am currently a Science teacher at Oakhill College in Castle Hill. Teaching science to years 7 to 10, and Biology and Earth and Environment Science to HSC level.
I am also coordinating the Science Club and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. These allow me to share the student's enthusiasm for science and experience some great camping and kayaking trips. The Science Club's 'edible' and 'explosive' themes have been in response to the most commonly asked questions, "can I eat it?" and "does it blow up?"
Another question commonly being asked by students of all ages is "what do real scientists do?" Following my visit to CUDOS, hopefully I am now able to provide a little more insight into what (at least some) real scientists do.
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