A short talk delivered at the STEMettes Monster Confidence event, explaining my STEM learning and career journey. Highlights the role of my interest in computing and electronics, and sustained curiosity that has led me to be an academic.

1. My STEM Journey
Prof. Arosha K. Bandara

2. 2
• Wanting to know how things
work
• Figuring out ways to improve
them!
• Joy of discovery and invention –
particularly through
experimenting with electronics
Curiosity and Exploration …
SETTING OUT
ZX81: By Evan-Amos - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18300824
Traffic Light Controller: By Monte Castleman - https://streets.mn/2015/06/20/all-about-traffic-signal-controllers-part-one/
Crystal Radio:By Arne Nordmann (norro) - Own illustration, based on w:de:Bild:DetektorEmpfaenger.png, CC BY-SA 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1966931
Background: By eugeniu from Pixabay
Traffic Light Controller
Crystal Radio Set
First Computer

3. 3
• Developing a deeper interest in
computing
• Combining with interest in
electronics to study Information
Systems Engineering at
Imperial College London
• Exploring connections to other
STEM subjects (e.g., Chemistry)
through internships
From Sri Lanka to London …
LEARNING JOURNEY
ZX81: By Evan-Amos - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18300824
Commodore 64: By Kausalkette - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4718672
GW-BASIC: https://ms.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74685
Background: Sri Lanka by RomanBader from Pixabay / London by Free-Photos from Pixabay
More early computers
First programs in BASIC

4. 4
• Software Engineering is a
global job.
• Opportunities to live and work
all over the world:
• Boston
• San Francisco
• New Delhi
• London
• International network of
collaborators.
Crossing continents …
SEEING THE WORLD
Boston: By Riptor3000, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2839215
Red Fort: By A.Savin (Wikimedia Commons · WikiPhotoSpace) - Own work, FAL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48745849
Golden Gate Bridge: By Octagon - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9034051
Imperial College: By David Wright, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7542526
Background: By stokpic from Pixabay
Boston
San Francisco
India
London

5. 5
Adventures in research …
PUSHING FRONTIERS
• Investigating ways of
advancing knowledge.
• Developing ways of using
technology to enhance human
experience.
• Staying curious and open to
new ideas, methods, people
and places.
Background: By https://www.flickr.com/photos/torley/

7. https://instituteofcoding.org