Episode Overview
In Episode 80 of the Bridge Building Podcast, host Stephen Anderson previews two powerhouse sessions from the upcoming 2025 DATTA QLD Conference (June 19–20, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre).
He’s joined by Michael Mikhail, a Melbourne-based engineer and fibre laser innovator, and Jacqueline Niblett, a University of Queensland educator who’s bringing creative firepower to the classroom. Together, they represent the exciting blend of industry, innovation, and education shaping this year’s conference.
This episode is packed with practical insight for educators in design, technologies, engineering, and business. Tune in to hear what’s in store—and why you don’t want to miss these sessions live!
🔑 Key Topics Discussed
Michael Mikhail’s Session – Friday, June 20, 2:00–3:00 PM, Room A2
- Introducing the “MiniMe” industrial-grade fibre laser for schools
- Closing the education-industry gap in manufacturing workflows
- Using SolidWorks and nesting software for lean, cost-effective cutting
- Teaching students about waste minimisation and process efficiency
- Reflections from Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW)
Jacqueline Niblett’s Workshops – Thursday, June 19, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM & 2:00–4:00 PM, Room B3
- Mapping the customer journey for real-world empathy and insight
- “Good Idea vs. Bad Idea”: a team-based creativity challenge
- Linking user needs to innovation in student and teacher mindsets
- Transforming outlandish ideas into market-ready concepts
📍 Conference Details
🗓 Date: June 19–20, 2025
📍 Location: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
🔗 Register Now
🏆 Awards Nominations
Recognise excellence in design and technologies education!
🕒 Deadline: May 31, 2025
🔗 Nominate Here
🎧 Listen & Subscribe
🙋♂️ Connect with Us
🎙 Host: Stephen Anderson
📧 Email: podcast@dattaqld.org.au
🏫 Cleveland State High School
About the Bridge Building Podcast
“This is the place where we dissect and then discover the many ways ITD teachers all over this country are using their passion to create passionate students. We talk of measuring and manipulating a multitude of materials of design and divergent thought, of creation with our minds and with our hands. And most of all, we talk of growing great young people because of course that is what we do.”
So what does that mean other than I like to show off my alliteration skills? Since coming back to teaching a few years ago the thing that strikes me most, and frankly scared me most is how lonely this job is. How little we know about what is happening in our subject area. The classroom next door, a class in the next school, let alone the next town are a mystery to me. I know there are teachers out there doing incredible things and this (the podcast) is a way for me to find out and be inspired. I would like to invite you along to listen and learn, to be inspired by some of the sensational teachers I speak to on the “Bridge Building Podcast – from technology to the trades”
About the Podcast Host
Stephen Anderson is a Design Technology, Trade Training and accidental Science teacher at a small high school 2 hours North West of Brisbane.
Over To You
If you know someone who is doing something spectacular or just great fun in design and tech or in trade training, I would love to know about them.
Contact me through my email osaerial@gmail.com
Music by:
Viola Pink
My favourite busker from the Nanango markets.