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 conversation flowed and within a short period of time it felt like we were among old friends! I accompanied these students to the Ecosciences Precinct in Dutton Park, where the Science Teachers’ Association of Queensland (STAQ) was hosting its conference for beginning and pre-service teachers. It was all hands on deck to prepare Step Up’s trade display before the other delegates arrived. However, before registration we did manage to have some fun while appreciating the artwork on display outside the building.
The conference started with a great keynote address by Dr Kelly Bryant, a soil scientist from Soil Science Australia. Who would have thought you could make soil so fascinating! I was blown away by the fact that only 2% of Queensland is suitable for arable farming and as for the Australian Cricket team employing the services of a soil scientist to help them improve their play against India – well that’s another story! After this insightful keynote address, the door was opened for the delegates to throw any questions to a panel of experienced science teachers comprising: Narelle Cooley, a senior biology teacher from Somerville House, Susan Peatey a primary teacher at St Columba’s Primary School, Deborah Murtagh from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), and Adam Barron, Head of Science at St Thomas More College. While the panel provided plenty of laughs in sharing some of their own professional experiences, they also spoke of the support available and personal rewards from choosing science teaching as a career. Next up, a great opportunity to network over a yummy dinner and then straight into the workshops.
The workshops were arranged to cater for the needs of both primary and secondary teachers. The first (secondary) one I attended was a hands-on genetics workshop by Narelle. Some delegates chose to squash strawberries to extract DNA, but others preferred the edible option of making a DNA model with marshmallows and liquorice strands. Some chose to mate bunnies and express their resultant phenotypes as cute little plasticine models! The next workshop was a really valuable presentation by Deborah explaining how to make best use of the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standard and Queensland Standard Elaborations when designing assessment tasks. Even though the topic may at first appear dry, Deborah succeeded in captivating her audience and the time flew quickly. As the night drew to an end, it was time to pack up and for everyone to say farewell to their new acquaintances and perhaps future work colleagues. Without exception, the beginning and pre-service teachers I met were full of enthusiasm and passion for science. I am sure that the students they teach, or will do in the future, will also gain from them that sense of excitement learning about science and ‘making discoveries’ for themselves.