
Climate solutions. Recycling MICROfactories (Stage 3, Stage 4)

Be inspired by Professor Sahajwalla as she describes the future of recycling in MICROfactories. Part of the 100 Climate Conversation series.
ACTIVITY OUTLINE:
As part of the Powerhouse’ 100 Climate Conversations weekly podcast, selected innovators have presented simple positive messages to schools about what can be done to save our planet.
In this episode meet Professor Sahajwalla an expert in the field of recycling science, and founding Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research & Technology at UNSW, Professor Veena Sahajwalla is producing a new generation of green materials, products and resources made entirely, or primarily, from waste. Veena has been extensively recognised for the innovation and significance of her work, including via election to be a Fellow of the esteemed Australian Academy of Science and is the NSW Australian of the year for 2022. Her MICROfactories provide recycling opportunities that are positive, practical and most importantly, achievable.
This is an edited recording of an interview on Friday 22 April 2022 from the Powerhouse.
IS THIS A FREE EVENT? Yes
BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Powerhouse
SPECIAL GUESTS:
Australian Research Council (ARC) Laureate Professor Veena Sahajwalla is an internationally recognised materials scientist, engineer and inventor revolutionising recycling science. She is renowned for pioneering the high temperature transformation of waste in the production of a new generation of ‘green materials.’ In 2018 Veena launched the world’s first e-waste MICROfactory and in 2019 she launched her plastics MICROfactory, a recycling technology breakthrough. As the founding Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, she is producing a new generation of green materials and products made entirely, or primarily, from waste. Veena also heads the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for ‘green manufacturing’, a leading national research centre that works in collaboration with industry to ensure new recycling science is translated into real world environmental and economic benefits. In 2019 she was appointed inaugural Director of the Circular Economy Innovation Network by the NSW Government through its Office of Chief Scientist and Engineer. In 2019, she was honoured by Engineers Australia as a Centenary Hero for her work. In 2018 she was elected as Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. In 2016, Veena was named one of Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers and in 2015, Veena named Australia’s 100 Most Influential Engineers, both by Engineers Australia. In 2013, Veena received the ‘Howe Memorial Lecture Award’, Pittsburgh, USA in appreciation for her lecture on ‘The Power of Steelmaking – harnessing high temperature reactions to transform waste into raw material resources’.
Event Details
Event Type
On Demand (available until: 05-May-2027 11:59PM)
Delivery Platform
Duration
Curriculum
Primary, Secondary
Syllabus Outcomes
ST3-1WS-S, ST3-4LW-S, SC4-4WS, SC4-7WS, SC4-9WS, SC4-13ES, SC4-15LW,
Main KLA, Strand, Sub Strand
Science and Tech » Working Scientifically and Design and Production » Living World
Other KLAs
Science and Tech » Working Scientifically and Design and Production » Physical World
Science and Tech » Industrial Technology
Learning Intentions & Success Criteria
Participants will learn to:
- Identify various pathways into STEM careers
- Understand that failure is part of learning
- Accept, though question that climate change is supported by evidence
- Explore solutions that are diverse and achievable
- Ask questions and express their voice through protest in the search for truth.
Success can be measured by the ability of the learners to:
- Explain the key points raised in the program
- Identify at least one variable described in the presentation
- Generate expansive questions
- Suggest ways to continue investigations
- Discuss limitations of the key ideas
- Propose a career path for their own journey with STEM
Will This Event Be Recorded?
No
Joining The Event
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Technology and Materials Requirements
This webinar was recorded live on 22 April 2022. After you book your place, a link to the recording will be sent to the email you have registered with.