#3 Dazzling Australia's Remote Populations with Science / Ben Newsome of Fizzics Education

Seth, Allyson, and Tami welcome special guest,  Ben Newsome, founder of Fizzics Education and Virtual Excursions Australia, to share his extensive experience in creating engaging hands-on science programs via distance learning. Ben provides valuable insights on the power of live virtual programs for learners, especially those living in rural and remote communities not only in Australia, but around the globe. Ben provides insight on how to train energetic science educators to engage a global audience. He discusses his collaborations with other institutions to create immersive virtual learning events. Tune in to learn from Ben's wealth of experience and how distance learning connects groups globally and breaks down barriers to learning.

Ben is the author of Be Amazing!: The Way to Teach Science the Way Primary Kids Love and the host of the FizzicsEd Podcast! 

Show Note Links: 

• Get to know more about Fizzics Education by visiting their website here: https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/ 
• Discover more about Virtual Excursions Australia and upcoming events here: https://www.virtualexcursionsaustralia.com.au/
• Stay Connected to Ben: 
  • Follow @fizzed on all social media
  • Learn about virtual field trip offerings here: CILC Member Page: https://www.cilc.org/ContentProvider/ViewContentProvider.aspx?id=424 
  • Check out his book, Be Amazing! - tech science the way primary students love here: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Amazing-teach-science-primary-ebook/dp/B072L2JN3H 
  • Make sure to tune-in to his podcast FizzicsEd & FizzicTwists that you can start following here: https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/category/podcast/ 
• Dive Deeper into Research Mentioned: 
  • Read the study by Megan Ennes, ‘Museum-Based Distance Learning Programs: Current Practices and Future Research Opportunities,’ published in the International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning here: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1297905.pdf 
  • Find out more about how the United States Department of Agriculture defines rural communities in America here: https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/rural-economy-population/rural-classifications/what-is-rural.aspx#:~:text=This%20delineation%20of%20built%2Dup,with%20fewer%20than%202%2C500%20people 
  • Learn more about best practices for online teaching using the TITAC Method from Banyan Global Learning here: https://banyangloballearning.com/best-practices-for-online-teaching-orig/ 
  • Tech Troubles Troubleshooting Links to test your technology set-up on the videoconferencing platform you may be using: 
    • WebEx: Test Call ; &