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August 2021
August is a busy month for Science! The Oliphant Science Awards are in full swing and it's National Science Week. There is plenty happening in the science community so be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to find out more!
Stage 2 Teachers, make sure to check out our Marking & Moderation workshops (including Nutrition) and Planning for Stage 2 Psychology 2022 plus Exam Prep Seminars for students are now open for registration.
Professional Learning
*Please note COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines will be adhered to for all events
Program now available!
The theme of the conference is 'Setting up for Success'
The aim of the conference is for our early career teachers to walk away equipped with the resources and best practice strategies for building their confidence and capabilities. View the Conference Program online.
This workshop emphasises three components: Questioning, investigations and assessment.
This workshop will guide teachers through an instructional model with questions at its core. Teachers will be engaged in a number of different types of investigations that explore a concept or phenomena. Through this hands-on learning teachers will develop questioning techniques and look at ways to assess student understanding.
This workshop has a particular focus on how the Science units embed Aboriginal knowledge and ways of knowing connected to scientific concepts in the Australian Curriculum: Science.
Teachers will also be introduced to the many resources and culturally responsive practical ideas available to support understanding and implementation of First Nations cross curriculum priorities science elaborations with a focus on South Australian Aboriginal knowledges.
For Stage 2 Teachers & Students
Marking & Moderation Workshops
- Chemistry - 20 August
- Psychology - 23 August
- Biology & Physics - 30 August
- Nutrition - 3 September
Exam Prep Seminars
- Biology & Chemistry | 28 August
- Physics & Psychology | 4 September
All attendees must register to attend the event before the cut off date and bookings must be made via the website. All details are available here.
Planning for Stage 2 Psychology 2022
This session will provide an introduction to the new subject outline for Stage 2 Psychology covering content, resources, assessment and SACE requirements. Full program and details available here.
Oliphant Science Awards
The Oliphant Science Awards competition is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2021!
Programming, Apps & Robotics Judging Appointments
Saturday 7 August
Don't forget that appointments must be booked online by 4 August. All details will be sent via email.
Round 2 - Project Delivery
Thursday 19 August
Crystal Investigation, Games, Models and Inventions,
Photography and Posters are to be delivered to Festival Functions. Coordinators will be provided with more information regarding the delivery of projects via email.
Visit the website to check out our ideas for teachers and resources for students - new blogs are posted each week!
For your classroom
Earthwatch Australia
Earthwatch is a global environmental charity aiming to create a society that lives in balance with nature by empowering people to save the natural world.
Earthwatch engage teachers in real-world research, to expand their knowledge and confidence in teaching environmental issues,(See Bush Blitz Teach Live and Backyard Species Discovery) and provide education resources that help to embed citizen science programs into core learning. Earthwatch provides free project and lesson plans for teachers, ranging from Year 1 Schoolyard Safaris to Citizen Science for Years 7 and 8. See Teacher Resources here.
National Science Week Events in SA
There are a lots of ways you can get your students, class, year level, school and community involved in National Science Week. In-person events, virtual tours, webcasts, talks, DIY experiments, quizzes, citizen science and competitions. Discover online and real world activities to join in. Check out the events in SA here.
Each month we will be adding to our Science Excursions blog post, you can check it out here.
Resources
For all resources available from SASTA, see www.sasta.asn.au/resources
Study Guides available online!
Stage 1 & 2 Trial Exams
The SASTA SACE Stage 2 Trial Exams are a 'must have' resource, developed by leading teachers to support SACE Stage 2 Teachers. This vital resource will familiarise teachers and students with the SACE Stage 2 exam format. Teachers will be able to use the resource for students, a stand alone assessment tool or to develop exam preparation skills. Based on feedback received in 2020 exams have been completely rewritten. Find out more here.
End of Year Stage 1 Trial Exams are also available for Biology, Chemistry & Physics here!
Contributions from the science community
Young Scientist of the Year Video Competition
Know the next climate change hero or environmental game-changer? Challenge your curious kids to think big (and win big) by entering this curriculum- linked competition for Years 7-10. All they need to do is make a short video on an environmental problem or solution in energy & critical minerals, wildlife conservation or agriculture.
For teacher resources, including how to integrate the competition into your classroom and tips for getting kids started, visit the website here.
Bush Blitz TeachLive
South Australian teachers are selected through a competitive application process to attend a fully-funded Bush Blitz expedition. The teachers work as field assistants for one week, alongside professional scientists, and assist with various tasks including the collection of insects, spiders, moths, reptiles and plants. Find out all the details here.
Latitude Group Travel
If you’re looking for a way to inspire and engage your students in STEM, or perhaps to provide STEM extension opportunities, an inter or intra state Australian educational tour program is the solution. Students live a once-in-a-lifetime experience, connecting classroom learning to the wider Australian STEM ecosystem, inspired by researchers and scientists and world-leading innovations. Our team of research specialists have designed a suite of educational programs to develop future STEM leaders. We custom design tours according to each school’s desired outcomes, year level and curriculum focus, budget and location for any subject or combination of subjects. Find out more here.
Roots and Shoots
Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots is a youth service program for young people of all ages. It’s all about inspiring people to take action to make the world a better place for people, other animals, and the environment. Find the Primary lessons on the Cool Australia website here.
National Science Week Quiz
Thursday 19 August | 5.30pm
Test your knowledge, play along & win!
Hosted by: Charlie Pickering
Register online here.
Resource book of ideas
The Resource Book of Ideas for National Science Week offers teachers and students the opportunity to explore the following concepts in addition to this year’s theme. Access your copy here.
Indigenous Resource Book
Have you seen the National Science Week Indigenous Resource Book for 2021? Find out more here.
SASTA Blog
Check out the SASTA Blog for a list of National Science Week activities! You can also find blogs from SA Schools on activities they ran in 2020 & 2018. If you would like to share what's happening in your school for National Science Week please contact Tegan McClean.
South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards
Time to celebrate those inspiring the next generation of STEMM achievers! Nominations for the 2021 #SAScienceAwards are now open, including a category for primary or secondary school teachers.
Nominate yourself or a colleague before 11 August: www.scienceawards.sa.gov.au
SA Space School
Applications are now open for year 10 students to attend. Closing Date for Applications is 31 August 2021. Please log on to our website: www.spaceschool.com for the current application form and details.
Contact SASTA
South Australian Science Teachers Association
249 Henley Beach Road Torrensville SA 5031
P 08 8354 0006 F 08 8354 0008 E office@sasta.asn.au
www.sasta.asn.au
