Students from Griffith University and the Queensland University of Technology are being sponsored by Step Up to attend CONASTA 65, The Australian Science Teachers’ Association National Conference. Tori Lee Griffith University Upon completing Year 12, I moved to England where I worked at Lancing College for just over a year. I then returned to Australia toRead more about Meet the Step Up students going to CONASTA 65[…]
I was on the journey of a lifetime – travelling to Perth for an enormous week of engaging, learning and networking. The chance to share this experience with like-minded pre-service teachers Karen, Shawtima, Gay, Nick and Ally added to the excitement the week had in store. Though it was an overcast reception at Perth, weRead more about A Whirlwind CONASTA 64[…]
When Kate Trinajstic told her mother that she wanted to become an Egyptologist, the response was ‘Don’t be ridiculous – you can either go to Secretarial College or Nursing School.’ Kate chose nursing, which although a rewarding career, did not fulfill her intrinsic curiosity for research; she completed a degree in Biology, PhD in GeologyRead more about Paleontology in the 21st Century – the Truth is In There[…]
Astronomy in the classroom is often constrained to models or photos – after all, how do you observe the stars during the day ? Our Solar Sibings is an educational program developed via collaboration between astronomers, teachers and their students to radically change the way astronomy may be taught. Imagine using data from high gradeRead more about Astronomy in the classroom – Our Solar Siblings[…]
We’ve just returned from the most amazing talk given by Dr Ian McLeod of the Western Australian (WA) Maritime Museum who gave the 2015 Stanhope Oration as part of CONASTA 2015 in Perth, WA. It was entitled, The application of chemistry to conserve our shared heritage. Amongst a host of other fascinating topics, Dr McLeodRead more about The Wandjina, chemistry and meteorology[…]
The first day of CONASTA provided a variety of talks and workshops across a broad range of topics. The opening keynote address was given by burns treatment pioneer, former Australian of the Year and ‘National Living Treasure’, Professor Fiona Wood. With a combination of insights into the application of science to improve clinical management ofRead more about CONASTA64 Monday Keynote talks[…]
As the #CONASTA64 kaleidoscope rolled into action on Day 1, it provided a myriad of wonder and opportunity. From the outset, the Welcome to Country gave us all goose bumps. Next up it was a privilege to hear from keynote speaker Professor Fiona Woods who recognised the role of her science teachers atRead more about The butler did it: CONASTA Day 1[…]
Precision planning paid off today as the StepUp Ambassadors arrived smoothly in Perth for CONASTA64 . Despite many of us rising before sunrise to make our flights, everyone was in good spirits, even when the MAXI taxi man announced he could either fit six ladies or six suitcases. As we were scientifically debating the prosRead more about Touchdown in Perth[…]
… the thermometer says 7 degrees celsius! It’s time to start packing for CONASTA 2015 in Perth and I am just not sure if my North Queensland wardrobe will fit the bill. (check the weather forecast here) CONASTA is a national conference that has an outstanding reputation for offering high quality and stimulating professional learning experiences forRead more about You’re no longer in Townsville when…[…]
Last week the Step Up project team had the privilege of meeting five out of the six pre-service teachers that we’re sponsoring to attend CONASTA in Perth. What a delight to meet Gay and Karen (James Cook University, who had just flown in from Townsville), Shawtima (Griffith University, Gold Coast) and Nick and Ally (QUT, Brisbane). The conversationRead more about Starting out teaching science – insights from the STAQ conference[…]
