Veena Sahajwalla by Julienne Negri

The latest book in the Aussie STEM Stars series begins with a wonderful description of bustling Mumbai through the eyes of three-year-old Veena Sahajwalla travelling on her father’s Vespa. Veena’s childhood was full of learning and family time spent with her engineering father, medical doctor mother and younger brother. Veena studied hard and loved school especially subjects like Mathematics and was fascinated by the focus on recycling in her city which would stay with her until the present day.

The early assumption was that Veena would become a doctor like her mother, but squeamish from the sight of blood and not a fan of dissecting animals, Veena decided to follow her heart and take up engineering studies. She won a place at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, one of only ten females to 250 male students in her year. It was often a lonely time for Veena especially after two years of study when she was the only female to specialise in metallurgical engineering. After some hard work and overcoming inequality, Veena topped her year and was offered a scholarship to study a Master of Science in Metals and Materials Engineering at the University of British Columbia.

After marrying and moving to Australia, Veena continued with her research into repurposing materials, particularly green steel, as well as establishing the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT). She has been awarded and received multiple accolades for her work both here in Australia and internationally. Veena was a popular judge on the long-running ABC TV series ‘The New Inventors’, has been on the ABC’s Q & A and the ‘War on Waste’, as well as being named 2022 NSW Australian of the Year.

This amazing woman with such an inner drive for questioning, learning and hard work has provided author Julianne Negri with so much story to share with readers. This highly engaging read in the Aussie STEM Stars series will add another dimension to the STEM curriculum. Sneak peek: Veena Sahajwalla on Play School/Australian Story is well worth watching. Teacher notes are coming soon.

Themes: STEM, Scientist, Research, ‘Green’ engineer, Recycling, Repurposing, Sustainability, Resilience.

Kathryn Beilby