DattaQueensland's podcast

In this special DATTA QLD Conference preview episode, Stephen Anderson speaks with Dr Anthony Franze from Griffith University about the changing relationship between artificial intelligence and design education. Anthony draws on his background in automotive design, product design, and user experience design to explore how AI tools are being integrated into university teaching and industry practice...

The 2026 DATTA Queensland Conference brings together educators and industry experts who are helping shape the future of Design and Technologies education. In this episode, Stephen Anderson speaks with three conference presenters about their upcoming sessions and the practical ideas they will be sharing with teachers. Claire Rackley discusses how students can effectively communicate design thinking...

In this special DATTA QLD Conference preview episode, Stephen Anderson speaks with three presenters exploring practical and research-informed approaches to Design and Technology education. First, Leighann Ness Wilson shares insights from her PhD research into Design and Technologies education and discusses how teachers can more confidently enact the Australian Curriculum through practical pedagogi...

In this special DATTA QLD Conference preview episode, Stephen Anderson speaks with two presenters exploring innovative uses of artificial intelligence in Design and Technology education. First, Rashan Senanayake from Inspired Education Australia discusses the rapidly changing world of AI-assisted CAD and 3D modelling. The conversation explores how artificial intelligence is beginning to transform...

In this special DATTA QLD Conference preview episode, Stephen Anderson speaks with two presenters exploring innovative approaches to Design and Technology education. First, Steph Piper from the University of Southern Queensland discusses gamified learning through the use of "skill trees" — visual templates inspired by video games that help learners map out and track their progress across a wide ra...

In this special DATTA QLD Conference preview episode, Stephen Anderson speaks with two presenters who are exploring powerful and innovative approaches to Design and Technology education. First, Nick Kelly from QUT discusses why design should be considered one of the most important subjects in school. The conversation explores creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and the growing importance...

What if you're already teaching design… but just don't realise it? In this episode, Stephen Anderson is joined by Dominique Falla from Griffith University's Queensland College of Art and Design to explore a powerful reframe for Design and Technology education. Dominique shares why design isn't about being "creative," but about structured problem solving—and why every teacher is already doing this...

What if behaviour management isn't really about managing behaviour at all? In Episode 90 of the Bridge Building Podcast, Stephen Anderson speaks with Caroline Blackley about a different way of understanding classroom behaviour — one grounded in human decision-making, cognitive load, and the relationships that shape learning spaces. Caroline brings a wealth of experience from education, disability...

In this episode of the Bridge Building Podcast, Stephen chats with Emil Zankov , President of DATTA South Australia and a driving force behind the explosive growth of VEX Robotics competitions across the state. Emil shares his journey from an early-career teacher discovering the power of robotics to leading a statewide movement that now involves more than 20 schools and over 100 teams. He discusse...

In this episode, we explore a powerful idea emerging from Victoria: placing industrial design students into school workshops as paid technicians to support teachers, enrich student learning, and build a new pipeline of future Design & Technologies educators. Stephen Anderson , QCHDF, speaks with Peter Murphy from RMIT about how the program works, why design students are so eager to participate, an...

Join Stephen Anderson in conversation with Primrose Kombanie , an inspiring design educator at Glasshouse Christian College on the Sunshine Coast. Primrose shares her remarkable story — from her upbringing in Zimbabwe and studies in textile sciences, to her transition into design teaching in New Zealand and Australia. She speaks passionately about changing classroom culture, connecting with indust...

In this conversation, host Stephen Anderson speaks with Danielle Ruddock, Design and Technology Teacher at Beenleigh State High School, about her work bringing design thinking into the primary classroom. Danielle shares strategies for integrating design thinking into HASS and Science, drawing on the Eight Ways of Learning and principles of Universal Design for Learning. She reflects on how introdu...

In this episode of the Bridge Building Podcast: From Technology to the Trades, Stephen Anderson sits down with Andrew Scott, co-author of the Design for QCE textbooks and an experienced industrial design educator. Andrew unpacks the challenge of helping students use their time productively in design projects—whether in high school or university. Drawing on years of teaching first-year design, he e...

In this episode of the Bridge Building Podcast: From Technology to the Trades, Stephen Anderson chats with Mark Agnew, a former industrial plumber now teaching Industrial Technology and Design at Mabel Park State High School through Queensland's Trade to Teach program.   Mark explains how the program helps experienced tradespeople transition into teaching, the challenges and rewards of working in...

Episode Overview In this episode of the Bridge Building Podcast: From Technology to the Trades, we celebrate the extraordinary career of DATTA QLD's 2025 Teacher of the Year, Terry Grieger. With over three decades of service to Design and Technologies education, Terry has turned classrooms into creative workshops where theory meets real-world problem-solving. Terry shares how he brought CNC millin...

In this episode of the Bridge Building Podcast: From Technology to the Trades, we sit down with Tracy Sheen, a digital innovator and author of AI and You: Reimagine Business. Tracy shares her incredible journey from tinkering with electronics as a child in rural Queensland to becoming a mentor for businesses navigating the AI revolution. With AI transforming industries from hospitality to educatio...

Episode Overview In Episode 81 of the Bridge Building Podcast, host Stephen Anderson previews two inspiring sessions from the 2025 DATTA QLD Conference. Margaret O'Brien, CEO and co-founder of Young Change Agents, is our Friday morning keynote. She shares how design and technologies education can be a springboard for young people to solve real-world problems and create social impact. Margaret offe...

Episode Overview In Episode 80 of the  Bridge Building Podcast , host  Stephen Anderson  previews two powerhouse sessions from the upcoming  2025 DATTA QLD Conference  (June 19–20, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre). He's joined by  Michael Mikhail , a Melbourne-based engineer and fibre laser innovator, and  Jacqueline Niblett , a University of Queensland educator who's bringing creative fir...

Episode Overview Stephen Anderson fuels excitement for the 2025 DATTA QLD Conference in Episode 79, recorded on May 5 and 7, 2025, with Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi educator Sally Lawrence and QUT PhD researcher Leighann Ness-Wilson. This episode previews their June 19 sessions at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, offering insights for design and technology educators. Sally and artist Lesley G...

Episode Overview Stephen Anderson launches the 2025 DATTA QLD Conference Series in Episode 78, recorded on April 28 and 30, 2025, with design educators Justine Hawkins and Wayne van den Bos. This episode previews their June 20 sessions at the DATTA QLD Conference, offering a sneak peek into practical tools and syllabus updates for design and technology teachers. Justine shares her passion for fash...

Episode Overview Stephen Anderson sits down with five Year 11 and 12 students from Cleveland State High School to launch the 2025 Teacher Excellence Awards and Service to Design and Technology Education Award. Recorded on March 26, 2025, this episode celebrates the educators and supporters shaping design and technology education in Queensland. The students share heartfelt stories about teachers wh...

Episode Overview Stephen Anderson sits down with Tim Bateup, a STEM teacher from Roma State High School, who's kicking goals in rural education. Recently awarded a $10,000 Toyota STEM scholarship, Tim's headed to London to bring back fresh ideas for his Southwest Queensland students. From his roots in digital technologies to pioneering virtual lessons in the Queensland Virtual STEM Academy, Tim sh...

In this episode, Stephen Anderson sits down with Emmanuelle Buecher Hall, a science teacher at Mansfield State High School in Brisbane. A former marine biologist who's researched jellyfish in South Africa and sailed the world with her family, Emmanuelle now brings real scientists into her school to spark curiosity in students. Stephen first heard her speak at the Future of Education Conference, th...

In this episode, Stephen Anderson chats with Keith Alexander, Student Engagement Coordinator at QUT's Faculty of Engineering. Keith shares how QUT opens its doors to high school students through design and engineering workshops, offering hands-on experiences that align with school curriculums. From speed sketching to future city planning with Lego, these workshops inspire creativity and problem-so...

In this episode, we sit down with  Aaron  Madritsch, a woodwork teacher from Mullumbimby High School in NSW and the creator of  The Woodwork Camp . We discuss the challenges facing woodwork teachers today, particularly with the increasing number of out-of-area teachers stepping into the workshop, and how well-structured resources can make a real difference. Aaron shares his journey in developing ...