About Anne Doran

Anne Doran from Australian National Maritime Museum

Anne has been an education officer at the Australian National Maritime Museum since 2012. Prior to that role, she was a Teacher Librarian in primary schools. Anne has developed a passion for science recently through observing two of her children who are self-confessed “Science Nerds” and have recently embarked on their scientific careers. Through ANMM she has had the opportunity to meet and work with a variety of people in the scientific world and create science programs for schools that showcase the museum’s commitment to STEAM in education. One of the programs that she has been involved with since its creation is the annual Women in Symposium aimed to encourage girls into STEM careers.

Top 3 Learnings

1. Let students explore for themselves. As much as we like to be the ‘sage on the stage’ there is also a time when you just need to be quiet and let the students go for it… with the subsequent result in your role transforming to being a mentor & coach. Students will learn to find out things for themselves and our role as classroom practitioners will be richer for it.
2. Explore museums! You would be surprised how much science can be found in museums of all types and the Australian National Maritime Museum is certainly brimming with exhibits that command the attention of learners. If your school is too remote to be viable for visiting a museum, you can always connect virtually with museum educators using web conferencing technology.
3. Wherever possible try to have your lessons weave history and science together. Not only does it produce a rich narrative for students to be engaged with, it also provides a context as to why a discovery or invention occurred in the first place.

Further contact details & resources

• Contact for Anne Doran via email anne.doran@anmm.gov.au or via phone on +612 9298 3626
• Website: http://www.anmm.gov.au/