Dr Mel Fitzpatrick has a background as a climate scientist and outdoor educator. With a PhD in atmospheric physics, Mel has worked for both the Australian Antarctic Program and the US Antarctic Program researching climate change. After many seasons as a survival field trainer in Antarctica, Greenland, Canada and Peru, Mel began leading groups of young people on month-long wilderness expeditions and on overseas cultural exchange programs. The transition to teaching mid-career has been a great career choice and Mel’s goal at Fahan is to bring science and maths alive to students.

When not at school, Mel is often found out enjoying the wilds of Tasmania, with a keen interest in kayaking, bushwalking and surfing.