Solve for Tomorrow 2024

A returning guest judge, Dr Siouxsie Wiles is an award-winning scientist and the 2021 New Zealander of the Year. She heads up the Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab at the University of Auckland where she and her team make bacteria glow in the dark to understand how infectious microbes make us sick and to find new antibiotics.

Siouxsie is also passionate about demystifying science and has won numerous prizes for her efforts, including the Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize in 2013. In 2017 she published her first book, ‘Antibiotic resistance: the end of modern medicine?’ and in 2019 was appointed a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to microbiology and science communication.

During COVID-19 Siouxsie joined forces with Spinoff cartoonist Toby Morris to make the science of the pandemic clear and understandable. Releasing their work under a Creative Commons licence, their graphics have been seen by millions and even used by governments and organisations as part of their official pandemic communications.

Julie Baker started her career as a mechanical engineer and moved into the education sector when having young children meant being at home during school holidays made sense.

She has taught physics, science and technology education in the secondary sector. She moved onto a lecturing role and put her Master of Management degree to work in management positions within the University of Auckland.

She has held a variety of roles in the commercial sector including account management and student management information systems.
Her current position as Education Manager at MOTAT is a happy blend of her previous roles in engineering, education and technology.

Dr Joel Rindelaub is a USA born NZ based Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Waikato. As a Ph.D. chemist, you’ll often find Joel with his safety goggles and white lab coat on, working to investigate current issues in air quality and environmental science.

Tagged by Stuff as a “cool nerd” cross science celeb, Joel is an advocate for 80s mullets and science education. He’s also an experienced writer, athlete, and actor in the TV/film industries, most recently starring in New Zealand reality show Celebrity Treasure Island.


Photo credit: Elise Manahan

Sarah has been teaching Technology for over twenty-five years in the UK and NZ after completing her BA (Hons) Industrial Design and Technology degree. She has led teams and facilitated professional learning for teachers in different areas of STEM & Technology. Sarah has taught a wide range of ages, needs and cultures in different school environments as a Technology specialist.

She is always ready to develop her understanding and knowledge in Technology and has taken part in many projects, including the MoE Resource development and facilitation project, regional hub leader for Kia Takatū ā-Matihiko, TENZ's Matanga project, DTTA executive and more recently as a critical friend for the Technology refresh. Sarah has been honoured for her work in Technology Education, in 2019 she received the TENZ Outstanding Technology teacher award and in 2020, Sarah was the first Technology teacher in NZ to receive the Prime Minister’s Science Teacher prize.

Currently, she is an educational resource developer for ByteEd, a MoE PLD facilitator and teaching fellow in Technology Education at the University of Waikato. In her spare time, she volunteers as deputy chair for Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ), responsible for development of educational resources and professional learning in Technology Education.