Hello, I’m Nadia Baker, and it’s an honour to lead Mission Team #13 representing Australia. I discovered my passion for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) through volunteering at the Investigator Science and Technology Centre in Adelaide, around the same age as the wonderful students I’ll be leading at Space Camp in Alabama. I embarked on my academic journey with a Mathematics and Computer Science Degree, which led me to earn a scholarship in Science Communication at the Australian National University. Awarded to just 16 science graduates across Australia, the course involved staffing the Questacon Science Circus, the world’s largest travelling science circus. We went to regional, rural, and remote Australia bringing STEAM to life through captivating science shows, workshops, and teacher professional development in both primary and secondary schools.
My interest in STEAM and education led me to become a maths and science teacher, and my commitment was recognised when I was awarded the most outstanding student teacher in my postgraduate university cohort at the University of Canberra. This paved my way to a 13-year career in England as a maths teacher, during six of which I had the privilege of working for the University of Cambridge Millennium Mathematics Project in the Department of Applied Maths and Theoretical Physics. My office was just one flight of stairs from the legendary Stephen Hawking! In my role, I travelled throughout the UK and Europe, popularising maths through entertaining shows and workshops in schools and organisations. A standout project was the Enigma Project, where I demonstrated a genuine WWII Enigma machine whilst explaining how maths changed history by cracking the Enigma code, just like in the movie ‘The Imitation Game’.
I returned to Australia in 2019 and took the role of Technology Curriculum and STEAM Leader within the Victorian curriculum. I introduced new STEAM subjects, whilst enhancing and teaching existing subjects including Rocketry, Drones, Robotics and Engineering. I oversee the running of the STEAM Club, excursions, competitions, and promote social enterprise projects. With our new STEAM Centre being built at the College, I aim to capitalise on the learning experiences of the Endeavour Scholarship to continue to elevate the profile of STEAM, inspiring students to pursue STEAM subjects and careers, to contribute meaningfully in the world.
Winning the Endeavour Scholarship is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to share these experiences and passion I have for STEAM, whilst inspiring the next generation of innovators and explorers, particularly young women. STEAM holds the power to improve our lives, and I’m excited to embark on this mission to demonstrate and encourage that potential in the students of Mission Team #13, Australia.
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