Aussie STEM Stars: Veena Sahajwalla

Age range 10-13

Aussie STEM Stars is an inspiring children's series that celebrates Australia's world-leading experts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Scientia Professor Sahajwalla, 2022 NSW Australian of the Year, is founder and Director of the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre and Director of the ARC Microrecycling Research Hub and Leader of the NESP Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub.

One person's trash is another person's treasure! Veena is literally revolutionalising the processes to transform waste into amazing products which she calls 're-forming', and that goes way beyond recycling! She and her team have invented technologies that can do it on a micro level so you could have one in every town in Australia, and the world!

Plus, her Green Steel Polymer Injection Technology uses millions of old car tyres and other plastics instead of coal in steel-making, reducing carbon emissions. No wonder she's getting awards all over the place!

About this series

Each book is written by an award-winning children's author and follows the real-life stories of some of Australia's top scientists and inventors, chosen on the basis of their pioneering work. Themes explored include childhood, school, family, and formative experiences which inspired them to pursue their chosen path, persevere in the face of challenges, and contribute to the field of science in Australia.

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