Aussie STEM Stars: Skye Blackburn-Lang

Age range 10 to 13

Aussie STEM Stars: Skye Blackburn-Lang by Dianne Wolfer introduces the remarkable journey of Skye Blackburn-Lang, an entomologist and food scientist. Blackburn-Lang has combined her two specialities along with a high-energy entrepreneurial spirit to become a world leader in developing nutritious superfoods for a sustainable future from insects and their larvae, all without the "yuck" factor.

From a very young age, Skye was passionate about all things creepy crawly and dreamed of becoming an entomologist at just four years old!

After completing her university studies, she started her career in a pet food company, developing nutritious food for cats. However, Skye soon created her own businesses, introducing children and adults to the fascinating world of insects. She developed insect life cycle kits and butterfly sessions, gaining popularity as a regular speaker at schools and various events, sharing her passion and knowledge of insects.

Skye's expertise has led her to appear on television, including the children's reality show Camp Orange, and she has worked with production companies that require her services and live insects for TV shows, films, and advertisements. Her creepy-crawlies have indeed become rock stars!

After visiting Thailand and witnessing how insects were transformed into delicious treats, Skye gained fame for producing amazing food items—ranging from ice cream to muesli to choc chip cookies—made from protein and nutrient-rich insects that she farms herself. Truly, food for the future!