Science teacher Lloyd Godson is Hastings Secondary College's own Nutty Professor and is bringing is love and passion for marine science to the classroom.
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Since entering the classroom, Lloyd has been using his real life experience and background in marine research to ignite his students' minds to the endless possibilities a career in science can bring.
Mr Godson, born and raised in Albury, has lived, worked and studied in Antarctica, Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, New Zealand, Panama and the United States.
He is a little bit crazy, he admits - not just with his wild, 'mad scientist' head of hair, but because of his bold endeavours.
Some of his claims to fame before entering the classroom include living for a total of 624 hours underwater and jumping off a three-story building through a flaming hoop of fire into a swimming pool wearing nothing but the husk of a watermelon.
Mr Godson has a Guinness World Record for generating 2,502 watt hours of electricity by human power underwater - the most electricity generated by human power underwater.
He also created the world's first self-sustaining underwater habitat.
Since his transition to the classroom he said his creative, passionate and enthusiastic nature has really connected with his students.
"I love teaching and after being able to take part in so many exciting scientific projects to be able to bring what I know and what I have experienced into the classroom is wonderful," Mr Godson said.
"I have worked with primary aged students and now high schools students, and I love the way high school students take ownership of a problem or task and work through ways to solve it.
"Since being at Hastings Secondary College I have wanted to give all students the opportunity to get excited and learn about science in a fun and interesting way and the students have really responded.
"They are all eager to learn and create projects outside of the classroom."
Mr Godson said since taking up his post in the classroom, he has tried to encourage his students to seek out opportunities and has supported and backed them all the way.
"I was able to take a group of students to Taiwan last year as part of the Design for Change Conference and they have now been invited to the next conference at the Vatican in November," he said.
"Next week I am taking a group of students to Lady Elliot Island for a marine exploration trip. We have also secured funding to take a group of students to New Zealand in November for an underwater robotics competition and we hope to create our own competition in Port Macquarie afterwards."
Working as a marine scientist in his past life, Mr Godson participated in a number of underwater projects focused on finding a way to tackle environmental issues in a fun, provocative and scientific way.
"I grew up next door to a diving instructor and was always curious about the equipment that was in his backyard, so it was almost a natural progression from curiosity to learning to dive.
"After school I trained to become a commercial diver and became fascinated by life under the water. From there I studied marine science at university and I met a professor who would change my life.
"His research was in mangroves and he convinced me to come with him on expeditions all over the world.
"On one trip I filmed mangroves hanging out of a low flying plane, I also did some work with him in Far North Queensland in a tinny surrounded by crocodiles.
"His passion really changed the way I thought about science and I really try to bring that energy and excitement into the classroom for my students.
"I also took part in an expedition to Antarctica and to the Bahamas doing research at different times."
He said it was after these experiences that high school teaching became a potential career option.
"The professor I worked with had a way of creating a sense of fun and purpose in what we were doing and I really wanted to bring that to the next generation of scientists.
"I did a stint working with Dr Ballard the guy who discovered the Titanic shipwreck in the Gulf of Mexico and around that time I started completing my teaching degree by distance education.
"After working with Dr Ballard I came back to Port Macquarie and helped set up the Nature School and when I finished my degree I got the job at Hastings Secondary College."
Mr Godson said he is determined to keep inspiring environmental and scientific awareness through the use of technological innovation in a stimulating way.
"One thing I am really passionate about is ensuring that science is accessible to everyone and everyone had the opportunity," he said.
"Throughout my marine science life I have always tried to connect with people all around the world so I can share what I am doing.
"On most of my trips - including the expedition to Antarctica - we streamed parts of it for the rest of the world to see.
"And the trips that I take with students I really try and make them accessible to everyone so they can discover the wonder of marine science and I hope I can continue sharing my passion for the underwater life with students into the future."
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