Good Day!
2021 is our 70th Anniversary, by now I imagine you've heard that we will be celebrating these 70 years as part of 7 Decades in 7 Days, a series of 7 events in and around National Science Week. They are a chance to step out of the classrooms and the labs and for teachers, friends, and families to converge in thought and space, to integrate with the arts, and for diverse communities to celebrate that, which makes us great.
70 years is a long time in scientific advancement, during this time, Australia pioneered the way in cochlear implants that gave hearing to hundreds of thousands of deaf people, we have revolutionized mental health treatment, we forged the way in ultrasound technology that has had an impact on millions of people and we have driven technology that has ensured safe flight. It’s a moment to celebrate.
Behind the scientists that drive this innovation and progress for a better world were the science teachers,who believed in inspiring their students, who supported them to reach further and higher and remain curious about the world in which we live.
I'd love to see you at one of our events as we hear from our Federal Chief Scientist at a 70s Dinner Party at the Australian Musuem - a little-known fact, she won a Young Scientist Award in the 1970s!, an Aboriginal Astronomy lesson on board a Tribal Warrior Harbour Cruise, researchers from the Powerhouse Museum, where we will discuss scientific advancement in the social context, following which participants will attend the Sydney Science Festival Event - 'Climate Feast', and a Family Fun Day at Taronga Zoo, where we'll have a 'thinking scientifically' trail, hear the latest in animal conservation and you'll get to spend the afternoon at your leisure roaming the zoo - to name a few.
Part of celebrating history is recognising where we have come from and what is at the core of our Association. I have had the honour of sifting through archival material rich in humour, intelligence and passion for the Association and the teaching of science. We have come from a long history of dedicated teachers who exist to support each other, to nurture teachers throughout their career journey and be a voice for science teachers.
It is a profound moment to be holding this history in mind as we sit on the cusp of planning 'where to' next. Recently the staff and I met with Council and Committee members who expertly curate our professional learning and student projects, to workshop our strategic direction for the next three years. Resoundingly I heard a recommitment to our roots, to being an Association of teachers supporting teachers, to being inclusive and accessible and leading excellence in the teaching and learning of science.
We are your Association - here for you and we all look forward to sharing this ongoing journey with you all.
Yours in Science,
Jane Powles
Executive Officer
FEATURE SECTION
Mark your calendars!
BIOZONE HSC Biology titles launching soon
BIOZONE Learning Media Australia, award winning and specialist writers of VCE and QCE Biology instructional materials (both print and digital) are thrilled to announce the long-awaited arrival of two new HSC Biology titles for Year 11 (Modules 1-4) and Year 12 (Modules 5-8) written specifically for the New South Wales Biology Stage 6 syllabus.
Student engagement and a rigorous, highly visual approach define these comprehensive new titles. Providing a wide range of activities to engage students in working scientifically to develop essential skills in investigation, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
The course explores the diversity of life, from the molecular to the systems level, introducing and exploring content through the use of investigation, modelling, and data and case study analysis.
Students use a number of mechanisms to communicate their understanding, with the emphasis being on applying knowledge and skills to understand and explore solutions to 21st century issues. Depth studies are incorporated and identified, encouraging students to pursue their interests and take responsibility for their own learning.
Each title covers the four modules required in each of the Year 11 and 12 courses incorporating the relevant syllabus outcomes and providing multiple opportunities for investigation and collaboration. Comprehensive chapter introductions provide students with a checklist of learning objectives, framed by the inquiry question and keyed to the syllabus outcomes and course content.
General capabilities and cross curriculum priorities are also built into the activities as appropriate and clearly marked for easy identification. In the Year 12 title, students are encouraged to demonstrate their depth of understanding and there is a greater emphasis on preparing for the HSC examination. All Working Scientifically skills are addressed and there is opportunity for formative assessment of these as students complete each module.
A trusted brand with proven and highly valued learning techniques, BIOZONE's approach will transform engagement in your classroom.
To find out more please register your interest by contacting our friendly Customer Service team at [email protected]
ASSOCIATION UPDATE
Save the Date for Stage 6 Conference: Refining Our Approach to the Stage 6 Syllabus
Block your diaries 12 and 13 October for 2 full days of online PL targeted at addressing our teaching of Stage 6 Science Syllabuses.
This conference is divided into six course strands; Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Investigating Science, Physics and Science Extension. There is scope for delegates to attend sessions across strands. Sessions will explore ways of teaching Stage 6 to best prepare students for the HSC and to cater to all learners, increase student interest and retention, and improve student capabilities and performance. This will be achieved through a focus on pedagogy, assessment, HSC preparation, depth studies and incorporating relevant and contemporary scientific research and academia. Sessions will be module-specific within each course.
Join with teachers and education experts as we all explore ways, we can refine our teaching of the senior sciences.
Event program and registration will be available 30 June
Register your interest
We Invite to Present at the Stage 6 Conference
We invite you to present at session at the upcoming Stage 6 Conference
We are seeking presenters who can offer novel and creative pedagogical approaches, appropriate and immersive assessment and enhanced student preparedness, confidence, and capabilities. If you are passionate about any or all these areas, we invite you to submit a proposal to present.
Sessions should be Module-specific for each course stream, and we encourage submissions that are steeped in investigation across multiple modules and courses.
Please see the event brief for details ST6 Event Brief
The submission deadline has been extended to Monday, June 14
Submit Here
Enquiries:
For any questions, please email the Visnja Aw - [email protected]
7 Decades in 7 Days: Our Stories Over The Years
It's time to plan out your National Science Week celebration, with our 70th Anniversary's celebration programs, we aim to provide our science community a great opportunity to be immersed in rich content and engage in lively conversations on the history and future of Science. Register now for one or more of our 7 events during 7 Decades in 7 days to receive your early bird discount. Take a look at our 7 wonderful events in and around National Science week to celebrate advances in science and education.
- August 10 : Science in the House
- August 15 : Aboriginal Astronomy Lesson aboard a Sydney Harbour Tribal Warrior Cruise
- August 18: Online Zoom Seminar - Celebrating strong women in science - 3 pioneering women in cancer research
- August 19: Propelled by Science – A provocative talkfest.
- August 20: A 70s Dinner Party at the Australian Museum
- August 21: Family Fun Day at Taronga Zoo
- August 22: Propelled by Science – The Future of Energy at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, Bathurst
REGISTER NOW
7 Decades in 7 Days: Our Stories Over The Years
Still a part of our anniversary celebration, we would like to mark this 70th year milestone by looking back on the many memorable moments and events that brought us this far. If you have a story to share, we would love to hear it. Together, let’s reminisce and celebrate!
Share your Stories Here
K-10 Conference: Reflection and Follow-up Session
The K-10 Conference gave us an opportunity to see a variety of examples and strategies for embedding the General Capabilities from primary to junior science. As we participated in workshops we also spent some time thinking about how our new learnings might be embedded in our own teaching practice in order to best support our students. In doing so, we set out a reflective process to come back together, share our progress on what worked well and what we can improve.
Attend on the 15 June to meet the NESA accreditation requirements for the following Standards and claim up to 7 hours of teacher elective PD.
Pre-Registration is required via Zoom.
Science Teachers Association's Primary Teacher's Network
From the recent K-10 Conference, it was so wonderful to see so many keen primary teachers, to hear some fabulous ideas to take back to our students and to add to our science and STEM programs.
We are brimming with ideas from the day and would like to share this at the next Primary Network Meeting this coming 21st of July 2021, 4pm-5:30pm.
We invite you to come along and be part of this free network.
Join the network
Register for the 21 July Network Meeting
Online via Zoom
Rosemary Hafner Scholarship
We are honoured to be the custodians of the Rosemary Hafner Memorial Scholarship Fund, the fund was formed in 2008 in memory of the significant contribution made by Rosemary Hafner to science education. This scholarship aims to support and assist both metro and regional science teachers in NSW with their professional development. Want to advance in your teaching journey? We are here to assist.
APPLY HERE
RESOURCES
SISP Learning Resources: Five for Design
Grab this opportunity to have a free access to STEM Industry School Partnerships' (SISP) learning resources called Five for Design, it is a series of FREE 5-minutes daily, hands-on activities to help students master the fundamental skills required for the engineering design process.
READ MORE
NEWS & ARTICLES
NSW Premier's Prizes for Science & Engineering
27 October 2021: Nominations Now Open
The NSW Premier's Prizes for Science & Engineering seek to recognise excellence in science and engineering, and reward leading researchers for cutting-edge work that has generated economic, environmental, health, social or technological benefits for New South Wales. The Prizes replaced the NSW Science & Engineering Awards (held annually from 2008 - 2014) and reflect the NSW Government's strong commitment to the local research and development community.
The Prizes aim to raise community awareness and appreciation of the important contribution scientists and engineers make to our daily lives, and encourage careers in both fields.
READ MORE
OTHER NEWS & UPDATES
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Call for Article Contributors
For Science Education News 3 (SEN)
Got a great idea - we'd love to hear it. We are looking for teachers who are willing to share a lesson plan or teaching idea with our community in Science Education News (SEN)
We welcome articles on research, resources and ideas for the classroom.
SUBMIT HERE
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