20 August 2026
You don’t have to be top of the class to be curious about science, and you don’t need permission to get involved.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg sat down to chat with 2025 Minister’s Teacher of the Year Christopher Lambe for the Ed Talks podcast.
That’s the message from Australian astronaut and 2026 Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who believes young people should see science as a toolkit for solving problems they care about.
With National Science Week underway, Katherine shared that message in the latest episode of the Department of Education’s Ed Talks podcast.
Speaking during her visit to Perth, Katherine reflected on her journey from a childhood dream of becoming an astronaut to astronaut training and her role as Australian of the Year.
She discussed how her school experiences, including sport, debating, drama, arts and music, helped develop the teamwork and character she needed to pursue her ambitions.
Katherine also encouraged teachers and parents to avoid labelling children as being either ‘science’ or ‘maths’ kids, saying anyone can develop an interest in STEM if they become curious about a topic.
She also shared her excitement about Australia’s growing role in space exploration and hopes seeing Australian achievements in space will make STEM careers feel more tangible and achievable for young people.
Listen to Katherine’s inspiring conversation on the latest Ed Talks podcast.