[Music plays and an image appears of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools medallion in the centre screen, and text appears beneath: Paula Taylor, BMLSC BED MED]
[Image changes to show a close view of students watching liquid being poured from a beaker into a bottle]
Paula Taylor: We know that science is a very active sport.
[Image changes to show a student watching, and then the image changes to show Paula Taylor pouring the liquid while a group of students watch]
You have to do science to really make meaning and I do it through a constructivist approach.
[Images move through to show Paula talking to the camera, a close profile view of Paula talking, and then Paula talking to a group of students]
And when we can make the connection by what we see we start to have a very good conceptual understanding of what we’re learning.
[Images move through to show a group of students listening, Paula teaching the students, and then Paula talking to the camera, and the medallion and text appears: Paula Taylor]
My name is Paula Taylor. I am a STEM specialist teacher with the Academy of Future Skills.
[Images move through to show views of Paula teaching a class of students, the students listening, and then profile and facing views of Paula talking to the camera]
But as a science teacher I get to share, inspire students to think about their future as a scientist, and I do that by telling the Australian story.
[Image changes to show a profile view of Paula talking to the camera]
What are we doing across the nation that is relevant to them as they grow into STEM careers?
[Image changes to show Paula explaining something to a group of students]
They need to know that they are the future workforce.
[Images move through to show a profile view of Paula talking, Paula talking to a group of students, and students looking at a 3D printer in operation]
I want students to know that science is a very futuristic endeavour.
[Images move through to show a close view of a 3D printer in operation, and then Paula working with a group of students]
If students are going to fill this space, they need to know where their place is and what we’re doing.
[Image changes to show students watching a lit Bunsen burner, and then the image changes to show Paula talking to the camera]
They know that they’re the scientists. They get to ask the questions. They get to test their hypothesis.
[Images move through to show Paula teaching a class, lunar samples, views of Paula talking, a student looking down, and the computer screen she is looking at]
Collecting lunar samples to take a look at the minerals within it, the chemicals, if there is any signs of life, those are the kinds of things that we see scientists doing in the labs.
[Image changes to show Paula pouring liquid into a bottle while the students watch her]
That’s what we’re doing in our classrooms.
[Image changes to show Paula talking to the camera]
Our students have to mirror what’s going around us.
[Images move through to show Paula working with a student on a computer, and then facing and profile views of Paula talking to the camera]
Apart from working with students, mentoring teachers is absolutely critical and crucial and so endearing to me.
[Image changes to show different views of Paula working with young teachers and talking with them]
I work with teachers to develop units that are robust, really authentic.
[Images move through to show Paula talking to the camera, a close view of Paula pointing at a computer screen, and students talking with Paula]
Together we develop units that students are engaged in, striving, thriving and wanting to learn more.
[Images move through to show Paula walking towards the camera with two younger teachers, a close view of the three, Paula talking to students, and Paula pouring liquid into a bottle]
It means that I am building a frontline of bright, confident teachers that can do far more into the future and infinity and beyond.
[Image changes to show Paula talking to students, and then the image changes to show facing and profile views of Paula talking to the camera]
Being the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools is such an honour.
[Images move through to show Paula talking to students, a close view of a student talking, and then Paula demonstrating to students]
It just brings such warmth to my heart to know that I have done amazing things.
[Images move through to show a student looking down, Paula pointing to a Bunsen burner, and a profile view of Paula talking to the camera]
It’s not just my day work, it’s my evening work, it’s all the volunteer work I do with science community endeavours.
[Image changes to show Paula talking to the camera and then the image changes to show Paula smiling at the camera]
But I won’t stop because we are continuing to do great things and that story needs to be shared.
[Music plays and the image changes to show the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools, and the Australian Government Coat of Arms, and text appears: 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools]
