Volunteer Carol can spot a caterpillar at ten paces, even if it is hidden under the husk of a corn cob.
16 May 2024
The popular Gardening Australia program will have a distinctly Canberra flavour on Friday 17 May.
ABC TV’s gardening flagship will air a story featuring two ACT schools, several students and much-loved volunteer Carol Quashie-Williams, scientist in residence at both Farrer Primary and Namadgi School.
As a CSIRO STEM Professional in Schools, Carol has enriched the lives of thousands of young people during two decades of volunteering.
She teaches life skills in gardening, nutrition, cooking and teamwork, with lessons in biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, physics, maths, literacy and art sprouting here and there.
An agricultural and environmental scientist and entomologist, Carol can spot a caterpillar at ten paces, even if it is hidden under the husk of a corn cob.
Namadgi School Principal Gareth Richards says Carol’s way of engaging the kids means her presence is felt whether she is on site or not.
“Even when she’s not at school, the kids are still carrying on with activities she’s taught them,” he said.
“We’ll see them walking around the garden with magnifying glasses in hand, inspecting bugs they find along the way. She has a lasting impact on our students’ lives.”
Another legacy of Carol’s involvement is professional growth and development.
“She builds the capacity of our staff. Working shoulder to shoulder with Carol they have picked up expertise they’ve been able to go on to share with our students,” Gareth said.
Named Volunteer of the Year at the 2019 ACT Public Education Awards, Carol started volunteering when her own children were at school and found it so rewarding she continued after they had left.
With a day job in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, she says her involvement in the schools program enables her to maintain her pest surveillance and diagnostic and science communication skills.
“I enjoy inspiring the next generation of scientists and gardeners and love the enthusiasm of the students when working outside and in the environment centres,” she said.
‘My Garden Path – Carol STEM’ airs on Gardening Australia this Friday 17 May at 7:30pm (repeated Sunday 1:30pm, or catch up via iView or the Gardening Australia website).
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