Matt Dodds - Using hands-on teaching to improve Physics understanding

About this episode

Matt Dodds discusses his innovative hands-on teaching methods to enhance Physics understanding among students in rural areas.

From building LEGO interferometers to launching rockets in the New England Highlands, Matt Dodds is proof that "abstract" doesn't have to mean "out of reach." Discover how the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize winner uses immersive student engagement and bridges the STEM gap for regional learners. Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education Matt Dodds is the recipient of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools and a transformative force at Glen Innes High School. With an unwavering commitment to equity in education, Matt specialises in bringing high-level STEM concepts to life for students in rural and low-socioeconomic communities.  His teaching philosophy centres on a "real-life" approach, moving beyond textbooks to provide students with professional-grade scientific experiences. This is perhaps best exemplified by his Astronomy and Astrophysics Depth Study Program at Siding Spring Observatory, which has seen hundreds of regional students engage with world-class facilities over the past seven years. Matt’s influence extends far beyond the local classroom: In 2024, he participated in the International Physics…

People in this episode

Host: Ben Newsome

Guest: Matt Dodds

Topics covered

• hands-on teaching
• STEM education
• Physics understanding
• rural education
• student engagement
• science teaching

Keywords

• hands-on teaching
• Physics
• STEM
• education
• LEGO interferometers
• rural learners
• student engagement
• science teaching

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Fizzics Education, OzGrav, LIGO Hanford

Books & works: Astronomy and Astrophysics Depth Study Program

Places: New England Highlands, Glen Innes High School

More episodes of Australian Educators Online Network

• AIAA Region VII Student Conference · June 11, 2026 · 25 min
• Aerospace Gateway Schools with Natalie Allen · May 28, 2026 · 22 min
• STEM Excellence with Shane Dryden · May 11, 2026 · 37 min
• Teaching science with Dr Kristy Osborne · April 27, 2026 · 27 min
• AIMERS Foundation, Mission ShakthiSAT & Sukruti Narayanan · March 29, 2026 · 52 min
• Going beyond failure with Cran Middlecoat · May 19, 2025 · 25 min