August 2020

Have you checked out the new look SASTA website? The member resources on the SASTA website have also had an upgrade! Once you've logged in you can access:

• The SASTA Journal
• The ASTA Teaching Science Journal 
• Teaching Resources: including Activities & Investigations, Engineering Design Challenges (R-10) and STEM Resources
• Conference Resources: presentations from past Early Career Teachers Conferences & Annual Conferences. 

If you have any resources you would be willing to contribute please let us know!

Don't forget to check out Fake News Friday and Talking Science Tuesday on the SASTA Facebook page.

FAKE NEWS FRIDAY | FACT CHECKING
What are the best fact-checking websites for students?

TALKING SCIENCE TUESDAY | PLASTIC FREE JULY
Tell us about one way you tried (or will try!) to cut down on the use of plastic.

We'd love to know what you have planned in your school for National Science Week this year! Send us an email so we can share what's happening with our science community! There are a range of ideas and activities to get you started in the latest National Science Week newsletter. 

The Early Career Teachers Conference is aimed at teachers in their first five years of teaching science/STEM or those who are new to a specialist science or STEM role. This is an opportunity for early career and pre-service teachers to engage in interactive learning activities that will deepen your understanding of the science content and will give you the skills and resources to engage your students in learning.

Visit the website to view the program and to register!

• Biology | 29 August
• Physics & Psychology | 5 September
• Chemistry | 12 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. 

The workshops provide an opportunity for teachers to discuss assessment and the application of the performance standards to samples of work, as well as to have invaluable professional input with their own student samples. An opportunity to readjust marking standards before final moderation. More information available here.

Many of the problems we face in our world today
will not be solved by today’s adults, but by the
students in our classrooms. Whether it is inventing
a better way to distribute clean water, repopulate
endangered species, or traveling and colonizing
Mars; our students will be the ones leading the way.

The workshop presentations aim to cover a range
of the content and pedagogies of the Australian
Curriculum: Mathematics, Science, Design &
Technology, and ICT. Find out more here.

Saturday 8 August
Don't forget that appointments must be booked online by 5 August. All details will be sent via email. 

Thursday 20 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!

We're excited to have the University of South Australia on board as our Scientific Inquiry Category Naming Rights Sponsor this year!

Technology is evolving more rapidly than we would have ever thought possible - and UniSA is meeting future challenges through cutting-edge research and the education of tomorrow’s professionals.  

To adapt to the ever-changing environment that 2020 has brought us, UniSA is hosting Open August - a series of events taking place online and in person.

You can hear from a variety of speakers and find information on degree options, entry pathways, support services, and life as a UniSA student.

For more details and to register to attend go to unisa.edu.au/openaugust

War on Waste - Cool Australia

It's always important for us to keep talking and learning about our environment - but now, more than ever, is a time to really focus on what we can collectively do to help solve the issue around waste. War on Waste lessons let you bring the topic of waste management into your classroom by using real-world examples that will empower young people to take action. There are lessons for all year levels across a multitude of subjects that align with the curriculum.  Each lesson has a detailed teacher outline that takes you through step by step how to run the activities. Find out more here. Each month we will be adding to our Website of the Month blog post, you can check it out here. 

Students are guided through activities and supported with information to enable them to:
• generate an idea
• develop a research question
• plan, conduct and analyse research, and then
• structure a research outcome and an evaluation or review with a focus on achievement of the performance standards (at a high level). 

The SASTA SACE Stage 2 Trial Exams will familiarise teachers and students with the SACE Stage 2 exam format and teachers will be able to use the resource as a stand-alone assessment tool or to develop exam preparation skills. Copies can only be ordered by emailing Rebecca at office@sasta.asn.au Trial exams will be delivered via email once payment is received.

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