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May 2022
Welcome back for Term 2! We're excited to have a full range of face to face Professional Learning events available this term. Including: Soil Science & Viticulture for Primary Years Teachers, The SHE Task, 7-10 Australian Curriculum Science, Teaching Science through creation of interactive VR Inquiries and we have just released the Annual Conference program - check it out here!
Our theme for this month is Biodiversity / Fauna so check out our website and excursion of the month below plus we've added some app and video ideas! And keep an eye on the blog and our socials for more to come. Did you see our Citizen Science posts?
SASTA news
SASTA Award Nominations close on 13 May
There's still time to nominate yourself or a colleague for a SASTA Award!
Find out more about the awards and previous winners or nominate yourself or a colleague here.
- Credit Union SA / SASTA Outstanding Contribution to the Teaching of Science Award
- Helen Castle Memorial Scholarship
- SASTA Medal
- SASTA Honour Award
Professional Learning
Soil Science and Viticulture with Wine Australia
Friday 20 May
This workshop is aimed at primary years teachers who want a fresh and innovative approach to teaching Biological Sciences and Earth and Space Science.
You will receive ideas for several activities, experiments and fair test investigations, learning resources and free gift to take home to help you get started in the classroom. For more details and to register click here.
The SHE Task
Friday 27 May
This workshop is aimed at people who want to further their skills in setting, assessment and providing feedback on the SHE task. It also will cover the writing and marking of SHE questions for tests and examinations. There will be time to examine your own student work and participate in some cross-moderation and marking of work/drafts.
For more details and to register click here.
7-10 Australian Curriculum Science:
How can we design and assess differentiated tasks?
Friday 10 June
This session will only focus on Australian Curriculum 7-10 Science courses – these are so critical for making sure we are retaining students in Science in the senior years. It is essential that we equipment students in these year levels with confidence and the skills needed to explain, analyse and be critical.
You will have an opportunity to work on your own tasks, share with the group, moderate your own student work and engage in professional discussions about marking – so please bring plenty! To register click here.
Teaching Science through creation of interactive VR Inquiries
Friday 24 June
You are invited to participate in a hands-on, practical, and highly interactive professional learning experience that introduces the teaching of Science through an applied use of VR technology.
You will participate in a fun interactive immersive experience, ‘explore’ pre-made exemplars of VR inquiries and consider how these VR products apply rigor for engaging learners to think and work scientifically. You’ll learn how to create an interactive VR Science Inquiry and present your VR project to the group. For full details click here.
For your classroom | Biodiversity / Fauna
CSIRO - Biodiversity
CSIRO are working to halt the decline in Australia's biodiversity. Their goal is to build better understanding of our species and ecosystems for better management.
This website hosts some of the best teaching resources for Biodiversity, including The Atlas of Living Australia
The Atlas of Living Australia is Australia’s national biodiversity database. It provides free, online access to information about Australia's amazing biodiversity. It supports research, environmental monitoring, conservation planning, education, and biosecurity activities, and is a great way to learn more about the biodiversity in your area.
The ALA provides free Australian Curriculum aligned, flexible and easy to use Classroom Activities, for R-12 educators wanting to incorporate use of this valuable tool in the classroom. Step-by-step user guides are also provided. Visit the website here.
Download the Biodiversity book - Biodiversity: Science and Solutions for Australia provides the latest scientific knowledge on Australia’s biodiversity. The book describes the unique features of Australia’s species and focuses on solutions for the future. Available for free download in multiple formats.
Visit the Biodiversity Gallery at the SA Museum
The South Australian Biodiversity Gallery is a highlight of any visit to the South Australian Museum. Around 30,000 life-size pieces tell the story of animal life across the state, from the deserts in the north to the oceans of the south. Don’t miss it when you visit the South Australian Museum!
Watch a quick video about the Biodiversity Gallery here. Teacher and student resources for every year level available here.
Biodiversity Apps
SEEK by iNaturalist
Drawing from millions of wildlife observations on iNaturalist, Seek shows you lists of commonly recorded insects, birds, plants, amphibians, and more in your area. Scan the environment with the Seek Camera to identify organisms using the tree of life. Add different species to your observations and learn all about them in the process! The more observations you make, the more badges you’ll earn! No registration is involved, and no user data is collected. Click here for more information.
Biodiversity Videos
Biodiversity - from WWF's Wild Classroom YouTube Channel
Our Planet - Netflix
Experience our planet's natural beauty and examine how climate change impacts all living creatures in this ambitious documentary of spectacular scope. Starring: David Attenborough. Click here for more information.
Oliphant Science Awards
Judging registrations close on Friday 20 May. Find out all the details here.
New Sponsor Prizes
We’re excited to have some new sponsors supporting the Oliphant Science Awards this year who are offering some amazing opportunities for students! Find out more.
- The South Australian Museum is sponsoring the Photography category and winning entries of natural fauna, flora or natural land formations may be eligible to enter the South Australian Museum Nature Photographer of the Year competition. More details to come!
- The Clean Air Society of Australia & New Zealand (CASANZ) is sponsoring the Science Writing category and the best student entry from Science Writing or Science Inquiry that addresses Air: Emissions and Monitoring will be selected to speak at the National Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ) conference to be held in Adelaide in September 2022.
- Wine Australia will be awarding prizes for the most outstanding entries, from either Posters or Science Inquiry, that highlight food chemistry
Resources
For all resources available from SASTA, see www.sasta.asn.au/resources
Stage 1 & 2 Trial Exams - available now!
Find out more about
The SASTA Trial Exams are a 'must have' resource, developed by leading teachers to support Stage 1 & 2 Teachers. Teachers will be able to use the resource for students, a stand-alone assessment tool or to develop exam preparation skills.
Stage 2 Biology, Chemistry & Physics are available now; Psychology & Nutrition are available mid-year.
Stage 1 Biology, Chemistry & Physics mid-year and end of year exams are available now.
You can also bundle your Stage 1 & 2 Trial Exams with Topic Tests for a discounted price!
Don't forget to pre-order your Study Guides for 2022
As per previous years, these will be due for delivery in June 2022.
- School orders - Advance bulk orders for the 2022 Study Guides can be placed with Rebecca via office@sasta.asn.au or via the SASTA website.
- Student / individual orders - Pre-orders for students/individuals are available on the SASTA website. All pre-orders must be paid for when ordering.
Contributions from the science community
Mary Anning Art Prize
The aim of the Mary Anning Art Prize is to have young South Australian artists create an original piece of artwork that tells us something about the prehistoric life of South Australia. It is essential, to be eligible, that the artwork explores an element of South Australia’s rich and remarkable prehistoric past, and that the artist lives in South Australia.
Submissions are now open. Find out the details here.
SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards
Now in its 18th year, this awards program is South Australia’s premier recognition of STEMM excellence – including a celebration of the incredible teachers working hard across our public and private schools. Nominations close Tuesday 24 May.
The STEMM Educator of the Year - Primary or Secondary School category invites applications from teachers who have “made an outstanding contribution to enhancing student learning and have inspired their students to engage actively in STEMM”. Award finalists and winners gain widespread recognition of their achievements, valuable new connections, and a $10,000 prize.
Last year’s category winner was Mr Graham Wegner from Prospect North Primary School. Watch his interview below. For all the details click here.
Unsung Hero Awards of South Australian Science
Nominations are now open for the 2022 Unsung Hero Awards of South Australian Science.
There are 2 awards offered:
- Unsung Hero of South Australian Science - for science and research endeavours
- Unsung Hero of South Australian Science Communication - for the communication of science
The awards are intended to recognise those whose contribution has been significant over a long period of time but who have not yet received formal public recognition. Download the award criteria and nomination form here.
Resource Book of Ideas is now available!
The schools theme for National Science Week this year is Glass: More than meets the eye, in recognition of the UN International Year of Glass.
The 70pp teacher resource book has just been published by the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) and is available to download for free. The book includes lesson plans, demonstrations and tips and ideas for teachers of classes from Foundation to Year 10. There is also a companion student journal and a poster to download and print.
Future Resourcers
Future Resourcers is a FREE, 6-week education program for primary and secondary schools in Term 3 2022. Students learn about waste and recycling, and are challenged to create an innovative solution to a sustainability topic, known as 'The Pitch'. Schools present their solutions and compete against other schools across South Australia for the ultimate title of Future Resourcers winner!
Register now to participate in Future Resourcers - click here.
Virtual Reality made easy for Teachers
Practical hands-on learning using iVR for teachers with their classes (Years 7-10). Well suited for Science, Design & Tech, Arts and or HASS teachers
Virtual Reality Made Easy for Teachers is an intensive hands-on Futures Technology PD Program for teachers. The program comprises 3 x 3-hour workshops each spaced 2 weeks apart and delivered across School Terms 3 or 4, 2022. The program enables teachers and their students the means to become proficient and purposeful users of cutting-edge immersive Authoring VR technology (iVR).
For more details click here.
To express your interest in the program contact Dr Paul Unsworth: paul.unsworth@unisa.edu.au
The Seedling Bank
The next round of applications for grants from the Seedling Bank are now open and will close on Friday 27 May.
How to apply - just log in and add your application to your registered 2022 National Tree Day event. A reminder that if you applied for a grant in our previous round and were not successful, your application will be re-considered in this round. For all details visit the website.
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
