In her business teaching digital skills and using augmented reality to tell stories of Indigenous cultural areas in 3D, entrepreneur Mikaela Jade uses maths and data every day
But she wasn’t always a fan.
“At school I didn’t like maths,” she says. “I failed maths multiple times at university.” Mikaela persevered and says things turned around when she started to use maths as a tool to better understand the natural world and, in particular, recognise patterns.
Through learning the Fibonacci sequence, known as ‘nature’s code’ because it’s seen in how tree branches and shells grow, Mikaela found a new way to explain maths to those new to it.
“We definitely need more brains thinking about maths,” she says.
Today, maths helps Mikaela understand the technology she works with so she can do a better job providing what people need.
“So, if I understand how my phone camera is using algorithms…I can do a better job because I know what the computer needs.”
And she’s kicking goals with her work, even addressing the UN in New York!
Mikaela’s study and career path to becoming a company founder
- Bachelor of Environmental Biology (Coastal and Marine Systems), UTS
- Park Ranger
- Founder and CEO, Indigital
- Masters of Applied Cybernetics, ANU
Inspired, much? Check out VR experiences on the Everyday Maths Hub
This profile was brought to you in partnership with the NSW Department of Education and a version of it was originally published in Careers with STEM: Maths & Data.
