Kaitlyn Martin (Royal Society Te Apārangi)
Age 32, Christchurch
Kaitlyn is a Pukenga Lecturer of STEM Education at Te Kaupeka Ako Faculty of Education at Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha, the University of Canterbury. She joins the expedition representing the Royal Society Te Apārangi as one of their Early Career Researchers.
Kaitlyn is a science educator, researcher, and communicator who has worked with students from ECE, primary, secondary, and tertiary levels in STEM. Her interests span formal and informal science learning experiences with a special passion for the areas of biology, astronomy, and digital technologies.
Her research aims to develop our understandings of how to improve STEM attitudes, literacy, and aspirations in a world in need of informed, active, and critical citizens.
She enjoys exploring Aotearoa, the world, and the universe with her lab partner in science communication, teaching, and life, Amadeo. Together they are raising a semi-aquatic turtle named Buzo, who also has a distinguished science teaching career as a class pet. Buzo thought about going to South Georgia, but likes his tank water at a balmy 22 to 24°C year-round, so decided it would be better if Kaitlyn went!