Ian’s love for science and the environment was cultivated through days spent exploring local creeks and bushwalking in National Parks. He is passionate about science and how the scientific method, scientific intuition, and structured systems provide a platform that ensures best practices while equipping students with the knowledge, understanding, and skills to become lifelong learners. He views the scientific method as the practical application of the senses to observe the physical world, while scientific intuition involves processing the tangible world and considering why and how things work.

Beginning his teaching career in 1988, Ian has had a remarkable journey in education, teaching in urban, rural, and international settings. His enthusiasm for teaching students from K-12 in science, agriculture, STEM, and environmental studies has remained steadfast over the years. He has consistently developed new programs designed to engage, inspire, and challenge 21st-century learners. With the ever-expanding range of available technology, he embraces problem-based, project-based, and inquiry-based learning to extend students’ understanding of scientific and design methodologies.

Ian has achieved excellence in both curricular and extracurricular fields, earning awards for teaching, environmental education, and supporting students in reaching their goals in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) and beyond. A standout moment in his career was a one-year secondment as Principal of Dorroughby Environmental Education Centre, where he contributed to the development of innovative programs as part of the AAA Team, embedding environmental sustainability into schools.

Recently, he relocated to Scone to care for family while working casually at local primary and high schools. In this role, he collaborated with teachers to develop STEM programs focused on the environment, philosophy, and the creation of an environmental education program known as the Sustainable Schools Odyssey. Now retired from full-time teaching, Ian continues to pursue his passion for education through Fizzics Education, which offers opportunities to teach in a fun, innovative, and challenging environment.