SMaRT and Veena star in new children's book

Recycling technologies developed by UNSW SMaRT Centre and its Director, Professor Veena, feature in a new educational children's book by Aussie STEM Stars.

The Aussie STEM Stars book, written by Julianne Negri for 9-13 year olds and published by Wild Dingo Press, tells the life story of Veena including what led to the creation of SMaRT's various waste, recycling and sustainability innovations.

Julianne says: "I hope that reading the life story of a scientist like Veena Sahajwalla will inform children that people who make a difference to the world were once children just like them; that becoming a scientist is an option for them to make positive change in the world."

Read the first 37 of 157 pages

Aussie STEM Stars website

Aussie STEM Stars says:

An inspiring and unique series for children aged 9-13 years that celebrates Australia’s leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The Aussie STEM Stars series tell the inspirational stories of our (often unsung, even unknown!) STEM heroes quietly making a huge contribution to humans and the planet.

Each book is written by an award-winning children’s author and follows the real-life stories of some of Australia’s world-leading researchers and inventors.

Themes explored include childhood, school, family, formative experiences, what inspired them to pursue their chosen path, how they persevered in the face of challenges, and what they contributed in their chosen field to Australia and the world. 

The past few years has shown us that science is more important than ever as we look to our inventors and innovators to solve the contemporary problems facing us all. So let’s inspire the next generation to go on that journey too.

More to love about the Aussie STEM Stars

• Teacher’s notes available. A perfect series for school libraries or home bookshelves.
• A fresh and unique series that focuses on our Australian STEM heroes. Science is more important than ever as we look to our inventors and innovators to solve the contemporary problems facing humanity and the planet.
• Strong role model and inspiration to young scientists to dream the impossible.
• Narrative non-fiction as a tool for educating children, proving that it can be as fun and interesting as fiction.