The Global Tropics Future Young Scholars program is led by the Deputy Principal at Thuringowa State High School.
Programs are co-designed and delivered by Department of Education teachers and leading experts from James Cook University, industry and community organisations.
This collaboration ensures the GTF Young Scholars' are engaged with learning experiences that incorporate emerging sciences and current global STEM problems.
Our core team members
Wendy Bode—Deputy Principal of Global Tropics Future Project, Department of Education and Deputy Principal of the Global Tropics Future Project
With over 20 years experience as a Science teacher and Head of Department, Wendy has been leading the Global Tropics Future Project since 2017. She is shaping the future of STEM education in North Queensland to ensure students are prepared to meet the increasing demands of STEM graduates in the workforce.
In collaboration with James Cook University, the Global Tropics Future Project has progressed and evolved to engage and inspire more than 250 Young Scholars from 40 North Queensland schools. STEM enrichment experiences include collaboration with STEM professionals from a wide-range of careers and future STEM pathways.
The Global Tropics Future Project's innovative approach to STEM engagement and learning, has been recognised regionally and nationally as the 2018 State Winner for the Department of Education's Showcase Award for Excellence in Industry Partnerships. In 2019, the project was a finalist for Best STEM Project at the Australian Education Awards, selected by The Educator Magazine in The top 40 Innovative Schools nationally and winner of the 2019 Indigenous STEM School Award.
Sam Askin - Global Tropics Future teacher, Thuringowa State High School
Prior to commencing his teaching career at Thuringowa State High School in 2015, Sam completed a Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry Honours) at James Cook University and also worked both as a Biochemist and in teaching program development at JCU. Sam now teaches Thuringowa State High School's signature iSTEM program, senior chemistry, junior science and programs in the Queensland Virtual STEM Academy.
Sam has a strong passion for connecting students with the ways that science and STEM are relevant in their real-life contexts after school, in research institutions such as James Cook University, as well as in industry. He is enthusiastic about driving new innovations for and with the students. He has introduced a virtual reality program to the school, has developed the Senior STEM and Data Science subject to open further opportunities beyond the school STEM curriculum, and is currently working on a new drone racing program.
Kaitlyn Hotz - Global Tropics Future teacher, Thuringowa State High School
Before commencing her teaching career, Kaitlyn studied a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Queensland University of Technology. She then undertook a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) at James Cook University. Kaitlyn is in her fourth year of teaching at Thuringowa State High School and her third year in the Global Tropics Future team.
Kaitlyn's enthusiasm for inspiring students into STEM career pathways leads her to providing extra-curricular STEM opportunities as well as delivering STEM to students across Queensland in her role as Queensland Virtual STEM Academy and iSTEM teacher. This year, Kaitlyn will be focussing on developing and measuring the 21st century skills of our learners, including collaboration and critical thinking.
Jennie Nash – Global Tropics Future teacher, Ingham State High School
Jennie completed a Bachelor of Science at James Cook University majoring in Biochemistry and Aquaculture. Following completion of this degree she worked as a research scientist for Department of Primary Industries before completing a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education at the University of Queensland.
Jennie is an experienced Chemistry and Biology teacher working in Brisbane and North Queensland in the past 24 years. Jennie has a passion for all things STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). As a STEAM educator she is the leader of the Ingham State High School STEAM team which has been working hard on preparing for their inaugural Drone Racing competition later this year. She has overseen the Global Tropics Future participation at Ingham State High School for the last 3 years and joins the Global Tropics Futures team this year as an iSTEM facilitator. Jennie is very much looking forward to furthering her involvement with the Global Tropics Futures Team and is excited to be involved at another level.