RG x RACI_EmpoweringtheFutureofSTEM_singlepages300dpi - Book - Page 26
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N ATA S H A WA R D ●
TEACHER
B
y the time Natasha’s youngest brother was five years old, he was singing
the periodic table song with confidence. That’s because Natasha taught it
to him. In biology class, she noticed the girls sitting behind her were struggling. So
she jumped in to help. Photosynthesis, animal habitats, genetics – she loved it all
and wanted her classmates to understand it like she did. Natasha followed her love
of science and her love of teaching to become . . . a science teacher!
In one position, she worked on a project to weave First Nations science into the
primary school curriculum. In one lesson, she and her students looked at the four
western seasons and the seven seasons of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples.
These traditional seasons don’t follow calendar dates. Instead, they correspond
to changes in the environment.
Later, she led school excursions for students across Victoria. She got to
introduce students to snakes, turtles, stick insects, lizards, sugar gliders, and even
potoroos! It was a joy to show students that the animals – even the lizards! – had
their own distinct personalities. Natasha was in her element as she taught about
everything from ancient megafauna to analysing DNA during crime scene
investigations.
Today, she is an academic coordinator for the Young Indigenous Women’s
STEM Academy. A proud Indigenous woman herself, she supports girls in high
school and helps them find STEM opportunities that match their interests.
Empowering Indigenous girls is important to Natasha, and so is looking out for
young people who may be struggling with health issues. She has ADHD and
chronic health conditions. She know what it feels like when pain makes it hard to
get out of bed. So she supports others, with patience and understanding, and
helps them build the confidence they need to thrive in school and beyond.
BORN 1996
AUSTRALiA
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