conferences and events - stav · 2016-10-06 · contact • vol 31 no 6 • july 2016 3 contact...
TRANSCRIPT
Newsletter of the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.
Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.Patron: Dr Barry Jones, AO, FAA, FAHA, FTSE, FASSA, FRSA, FRSN, FRSV, FACE ABN 59 004 145 329 • ISSN 0311-0605 Registered by Australia Post - Print Post Publication No. PP 342676/0050Member of Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA)
Vol 31 No 6 July 2016
Conferences and Events The STAV event calendar which includes all PD/conferences and science activities for the year is available on the STAV website: www.stav.org.au
Science Talent Search This years theme is ‘Drones, Droids and Robots’. Actual entries to STAV House - 21 & 22 July. More information on the STS website www.sciencevictoria.com.au/sts.
Science Leaders Conference 2016 - Register Now Friday 22 July at Quantum Victoria Keynote - Gravitational Waves Down Under Dr Alan Duffy, Research Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology www.sciencevictoria.com.au/confSCO.html
Primary Science Teachers Workshops Tuesday 16 August at STAV House Workshop 3: Is fire a living thing? Full details at: www.sciencevictoria.com.au/otherPD.html
VCE Trial Exams - Semester 2 Orders now being taken For delivery into your school by Friday 2 September www.sciencevictoria.com.au/stavpublishing/trialExams.html
National Science Week 2016 13 to 21 August 2016 Theme: Drones, Droids and Robots More information at www.scienceweek.net.au/
STAVCON 2016 Friday 25 November 2016 Theme: Science Innovation for Sustainable Lives
Latest events >>For the latest events and conference information go to STAV’s website: www.stav.org.au
For information about science activities & competitions go to: www.stav.org.au
Contents
2 STAV contacts
3 President’s Report
4 STS Report
5 Science Drama Report
5 STS dates
5 STAV Membership
6 Conference information
12 STAV important dates
STAV is on Facebook
go to www.stav.org.au
Join STAV on Twitter
www.stav.org.au
2 Contact • Vol 31 No 6 • July 2016
Newsletter of The Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.
STAV CouncilSoula BennettPresident Quantum Victoria [email protected]
Joanna AlexanderVice President and Treasurer Blackburn Secondary College [email protected]
Alexandra AbelaPenleigh and Essendon Grammar School [email protected]
Michael RosenbrockCommittee Secretary Wodonga Senior Secondary College [email protected]
Jacinta GreerWhittlesea Secondary College [email protected]
Leonie McGlashenKeysborough Secondary College [email protected]
Yuvadee PatchonQuantum Victoria [email protected]
STS ManagementJosie CrisaraAitken [email protected]
Jennifer CutriSt Andrews’ Catholic Primary [email protected]
Leonie Lang Melbourne Graduate School of Education [email protected]
Miranda McKellarLa Trobe University [email protected]
Raquella Neiger c/- [email protected]
David Trotter c/- [email protected]
STAV Journal EditorsLabtalk Managing Editor [email protected]
Barb Brook, OAM Let’s Find Out [email protected]
STAV Business CentreAnne HeardReceptionistPhone: 9385 [email protected]
Accounts OfficerPhone: 9385 [email protected]
STAV PublishingPhone: 9385 [email protected]
Publications Phone: 9385 [email protected]
Annette McKennaAdministration Manager Phone: 9385 3904 [email protected]
STAV welcomes Vince Conserva as Events Coordinator for STAV [email protected]
Science VictoriaScience Victoria hosts professional development activities on behalf of the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc. (STAV)
STAV Contacts
Contact enquiries
?For enquiries about Contact newsletter including advertising opportunities please contact the STAV Publications Officer phone: (03) 9385 3903 or email: [email protected]
Contact newsletter is available online as a PDF. Please ensure a current email address is on file at STAV so you will receive your link to the newsletter.
Life MembersDavid CohenRod FawnsDick Gunstone
Gretta WilkinsonMark LearmonthDavid Trotter
Contact • Vol 31 No 6 • July 2016 3
Contact July 2016
President’s ReportA warm winter’s welcome to Semester 2! I hope you had a relaxing break.
The STAV Lab Tech Conference was held on Friday 10th June and was an overwhelming success! Over 120 delegates, exhibitors
and presenters enjoyed the keynote delivered by Prof Andy Hill, La Trobe University, ‘Diseases of the ageing brain – when proteins go wrong!’ along with rich workshops. I would like to reinforce the important role our Lab Techs play in supporting the teaching and learning of science in our classrooms. They are at the core of every science department and their contribution is invaluable.
Upcoming Conferences/Workshops:
Science Leaders Conference @ Quantum Victoria, Friday 22nd July
http://www.sciencevictoria.com.au/documents/SciLeaderConf2016_Program_000.pdf
Physics Workshop 1:”Interactions: Making sense of Newton’s laws of motion”@ STAV House - Friday 29 July 2016
http://www.sciencevictoria.com.au/documents/PhysicsWorkshop2016_004.pdf
Physics Workshop 2:”Modelling Electricity: from batteries to power stations”@ STAV House - Friday 12 August 2016
http://www.sciencevictoria.com.au/documents/PhysicsWorkshop2016_004.pdf
LifeJourney, Day of STEM: Creating Australia’s STEM Generation. This online STEM resource aims to inspire students to pursue STEM pathways and build the skills needed to function in a digital workforce. Visit the following site to sign up to the biweekly newsletter and to register your students in your Day of STEM! The platform goes live mid-July! To register visit:
http://dayofstem.com.au/?utm_source=Volume+3%3A+Day+of+STEM+Newsletter&utm_campaign=Day+Of+Cyber+Newsletter+Volume+02&utm_medium=email
STAVCON 2016: ‘Science Innovation for Sustainable Lives’ @ La Trobe University, Friday 25th November
Updates on all of the above and other events will be posted via our social networks and on our website, so please make sure you follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!
Soula Bennett
STAV President
4 Contact • Vol 31 No 6 • July 2016
Newsletter of The Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.
Science Talent Search 20162016 Theme: Drones, Droids and Robots
Dates for 2016:
Online entry registration opened - 29 February
Entry registration closed - 30 May
Schools Pack 1 - 14 June
Actual entries to STAV House - 21 & 22 July
Judging Day - 6 August
Schools Pack 2 - 22 August
Schools Pack 3 - 3 October
Exhibition and Presentation Day - 24 October 2016
Check the Science Talent Search website for information about the competition www.sciencevictoria.com.au/sts
Science Talent Search Report
Online registration and the checking process are complete. Please ensure that you keep a close eye on your email as we will be corresponding with you by email where possible.
A reminder that the Special Judging Day is Saturday August 6.
STS Coordinators should distribute entry labels and make sure that students are aware of venues and times for the judging day. They should also ensure that Judges from their school are aware of their judging commitments. Teachers judging Experimental Research and Creative Writing will receive entries to assess close to the Judging Day date. All judges will be contacted during the next few weeks with details of their responsibilities.
The STS committee would like to thank all of our 2016 STS sponsors. Some of our major contributors are the Australian Skeptics, WEHI, Catholic Education Office, Rowe Scientific and BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards. You can view a list of all major sponsors and links to their websites at www.sciencevictoria.com.au/sts/sponsor2.html. Without sponsors the STS competition would cease to operate. Sponsors provide 100% of funds for cash prizes along with thousands of dollars of ‘in kind’ sponsorship. Many also contribute a proportion of their sponsorship money to help out with administration costs, keeping entry fees to a minimum.
Leonie Lang
STS Management
Contact • Vol 31 No 6 • July 2016 5
Contact July 2016
STAV MembershipSTAV Individual Membership fees:Individual Primary $125 Individual Secondary $140 Individual both Primary/Secondary $175 Laboratory Technicians $105The subscription of a member ceases to be effective if payment is not received prior to or on the date of renewal, as a result, membership and all rights pertaining thereto will lapse. Upon payment of all arrears, membership will resume from the date of payment.
New MembersWelcome to the following new individual members of STAV:Emma Cooper
Michelle Stephenson
National Science Week 2016
13 to 21 August 2016Theme: Drones, Droids And Robots.
More information at www.scienceweek.net.au/
Get involved
www.scienceweek.net.au/get-involved/
Brain Break Morning TeaBrain Breaks can be a quiz, group activities or a few quick science demonstrations – anything you want them to be. It’s a chance to stop and reflect on the science in your world.
Last year more than 700 workplaces all around the country registered to celebrate National Science Week in this way.
Think about what science themed food you could bring to the event – molecules made from lollies and toothpicks, cakes decorated with dinosaurs or biscuits in the shape of lab equipment.
If you’re holding a Brain Break we’d love to hear from you or share a photo – get in touch on Twitter via #brainbreak and #natsciwk or on Facebook @nationalscienceweek.
Registrations are open till 17 July, 2016. For more infomation email [email protected] or call 02 6270 2880.
How to join STAVDownload a form from our website www.stav.org.au/html/membership.htmlYou can also join online from this site.Alternatively, contact the STAV office for more information: 03 9385 3999
Labtech listThe Labtech list has been set up by STAV as a discussion forum where Laboratory Technicians can exchange information, share ideas and seek advice.We ask science coordinators to encourage their Laboratory Technicians to become a member of Labtech and participate in the discussion group.It is free to join. Go to the Science Victoria website for more information: www.sciencevictoria.com.au/labtech.html
6 Contact • Vol 31 No 6 • July 2016
Newsletter of The Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.
For all conference/PD information including programs and online registration check the Science Victoria website approximately 6 – 8 weeks prior to each conference: www.sciencevictoria.com.au/conferences.html
Contact the STAV business centre: Phone: 9385 3999 or email: [email protected]
Science Leaders Conference 2016Friday 22 July at Quantum Victoria, 235 Kingsbury Drive, Macleod West.
Conference ratesDelegate ....................................................................$320
Register now atwww.sciencevictoria.com.au/confSCO.html
Physics WorkshopsThese workshops are intended for teachers of years 5-10 science who wish to develop their own conceptual understanding; the concepts are presented at the level of year 9 – 11 students.
Newton’s Laws of Motion – Friday 29 July 2016Modelling Electricity – Friday 12 August 2016 More information and registration details at: www.sciencevictoria.com.au/PhysicsWorkshops.htm
Primary Science Teachers Workshop Series 2016
Workshop 1: Why is the grass green? Tuesday 15 March
Workshop 2: Dry Ice bombs and other chemical mysteries Tuesday 24 May,
Workshop 3: Is fire a living thing? Tuesday 16 August
Workshop 4: TBA
Venue: STAV House, Munro St, Coburg
Time: 4.30pm to 5.30pm
Presenter: Helen Silvester
Cost: $30 per workshop
Register at: www.sciencevictoria.com.au/otherPD.html
STAVCON 2016Friday 25 November
This years theme is: Science Innovation for Sustainable Lives
Upcoming Conferences – dates & rates
Contact • Vol 31 No 6 • July 2016 7
Contact July 2016
Invested in education.Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank understands education is preparation for life’s journey.
From sponsorship, grants and donations, through to financial literacy programs and resources, we’re committed to supporting the education community.
Combined with the important work you do, together we’re building a stronger foundation for the future.
Visit victeach.com.au or call 1300 654 822.
Bank I Save I Borrow I Invest I Protect
Teaching resource for Unit 3 Biology immunology conceptsAre your students confusing APCs, B-cells and T-cells? ImmuKNOW is your solution!ImmuKNOW is an easy to use visual teaching resource with movable immune cell representations for use on whiteboards. Each component has a magnetic strip which allows it to be attached to magnetic whiteboards or any other flat steel surface.ImmuKNOW is colourful, engaging and clearly visible. It allows easy visualization of receptor/cell interactions such as T-cell receptors and MHCs. It can be used by both teachers and students.ImmuKNOW consists of 3 separate kits:Kit 1 Immunity to infectionKit 2 Allergy and allergic reactionsKit 3 Humoral immunityEach kit is accompanied by an instruction booklet.PriceMember $90 (includes GST); postage & handling $13 Non member $95 (includes GST); postage & handling $13How to orderEmail, Fax or post purchase order to: STAV Publishing Email: [email protected] Fax: 9386 6722 • Post: PO Box 109, Coburg VIC 3058 Enquiries: 03 9385 3999
ImmuKNOW images available
on CDAll of the images used for the
three ImmuKNOW kits are now available for purchase on CD.
Go to www.sciencevictoria.com.au/stavpublishing/
immuknow.html
ImmuKNOW kits were developed and previously distributed by SYNERGYA Young Achievement Australia program.
8 Contact • Vol 31 No 6 • July 2016
Newsletter of The Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.
Science Leaders’ Conference 2016Theme: Developing Leadership
For coordinators, managers, leading teachers and science educators aspiring to leadership
Friday 22 July 2016 atQuantum Victoria, 235 Kingsbury Drive, Macleod West
Keynote Speaker• Dr Alan Duffy, Research Fellow
at Swinburne University of Technology
Speakers include• Maria James
• Janice Teng
• Joanna Alexander
• Dr Christine Redman
• Tim Thompson
• Janelle Scott
• Gordon Wilson
• Peter Hubber
• Peta White
• Glenn Eckardt
Topics include• Science Leadership that contributes to
outstanding educational outcomes
• Leading our teams to water, because they want to drink!
• Leading for learning in STEM
• Celebrating Science
• Amazing STEM Race
Registration includes • Coffee/Tea on arrival
• Science Coordinators Handbook
• Conference sessions
• Morning tea
• Lunch
• Meet’n Mingle
Full Program available at www.sciencevictoria.com.au/confSCO.html
Register Now at www.sciencevictoria.com.au/confSCO.html
Contact • Vol 31 No 6 • July 2016 9
Contact July 2016
STAV Physics Workshops 2016These workshops are intended for teachers of years 5-10 science who wish to develop their own conceptual understanding; the concepts are presented at the level of year 9 – 11 students.
Registration information: Go to www.sciencevictoria.com.au/PhysicsWorkshops.htm
Workshop 1 Interactions: Making sense of Newton’s laws of motionNewton’s Laws of Motion epitomise the essence of physics: three simple axioms that together account for all the mechanical interactions in our experiential world, and yield elegant mathematical predictions. Yet for many people they also represent everything that is most impenetrable and abstract in physics. In this workshop we will look for the meaning behind the archaic expressions of these laws, and explore their ramifications for understanding everyday experiences such as skateboard riding and trampoline jumps.What previous participants have said:• Very Beneficial.• Christina was very thoughtful in what she chose to include in her presentation.• Great ideas and good presentation to help me understand concepts and how
to help explain them to students in a clear and easy manner. Thank you. • Well paced, informative. Enough time for interaction.• Excellent session, very helpful. Christina is highly knowledgeable, awesome.
I will be more confident and will enjoy teaching this topic.
This workshop will be offered Friday 29 July 2016Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm, Venue: STAV House, 5 Munro Street, Coburg Presenter: Christina Hart To register go to: www.sciencevictoria.com.au/otherPD.html
Workshop 2 Modelling electricity: from batteries to power stations Students enjoy setting up electric circuits, but even simple circuits can raise curly conceptual questions. If teachers are apprehensive about such questions, they may resort to teaching equations that obscure the fascination and relevance of electricity in students’ lives. In this workshop we will explore some models that allow us to interpret what is happening and make simple predictions without using equations. The journey takes us from batteries to the state power-supply system. What previous participants have said:• It was really practical and encouraged me to challenge my own and my students thinking.
I have never had such a practically based PD.• It was certainly worth the effort to come down for the session. I have a much better
understanding of electrical current and how to implement it at school.• Very practical applications of how to teach electricity. Christina made it very easy to
understand all aspects of electricity and will help me teach my students.• Christina was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The demos were great.
This workshop will be offered Friday 12 August 2016Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm , Venue: STAV House, 5 Munro Street, Coburg Presenter: Christina Hart To register go to: www.sciencevictoria.com.au/otherPD.html
10 Contact • Vol 31 No 6 • July 2016
Newsletter of The Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.
Endangered, Extinct and on the Brink introduces middle and upper primary students to the great problems facing our environment today by examining extinction events through time. Fifteen topics are covered, and each topic includes: • A reproducible student fact file with background information and illustrations to engage students.• A teacher information sheet covering key concepts, cross- curricular links and a materials list plus instructions for guiding students through the activity.• A reproducible student activity sheet with creative and fun investigations. Students are encouraged to ‘become scientists’: ask questions, propose and test theories, design experiments and devise their own solutions.
Endangered, Extinct and on the Brink:
Young Scientists at Work Author: Andrew PlantPublisher: Curriculum CorporationDescription: 72 pp book Members/subscribers $31.95; Non-members $34.95
To order this product email: [email protected]
llluminated pocket microscopeA small, portable microscope that is ideal for young children, adolescents and adults to investigate a multitude of items including clothing fibres, plants, insects or any other scientific specimen. There is no need for small extracted samples – simply remove the slide tray, walk around the room and place the viewfinder above the item you wish to view.
The microscopes are small (14cm x 4.5cm), light (80 grams) and easy to grip, maneuver and adjust. The light source is strong.
These small but powerful instruments are ideal for in the classroom, outside in the school yard, or for taking on excursions and fieldwork. They are fully portable and no bench or table is necessary for resting on.
Features• Zoom switch – adjusts magnification power (60x - 80x - 100x)• Direct light source to specimen• Removable slide tray• Focus wheel.The light operates from two AA batteries (not included).
Price$25 (incl. GST) STAV members/institutional subscribers $30 (incl. GST) Non-membersPostage and handling: $13 (incl. GST)
For enquiries please contact:STAV Publishing (03) 9385 3999 Email: [email protected]
VCE Trial exam papersSTAV Publishing produces VCE trial exams for:
Units 1, 2 & 3 Unit 3 & 4 combinedPhysics PhysicsChemistry ChemistryBiology BiologyPsychology PsychologyCosts CostsPapers $4.00; Papers $6.00; Solutions $2.00 Solutions $3.00
Past Trial Exams are also available.How to orderDownload an order form from: www.sciencevictoria.com.au/stavpublishing/trialExams.htmlorSTAV Publishing Phone: 03 9385 3999 Fax: 03 9386 6722 Email: [email protected]
Past Trial Exam CDsCreate your own mix of past exams from any combination of the following:2009 – 2015Biology Units 1 – 4 Chemistry Units 1 – 4 Physics Units 1 – 4Psychology Units 1 – 4
Questions and solutions are in Adobe Acrobat pdf format. Files can be delivered via your school intranet, saved to hard drive or printed. Copy and paste prohibited.
Price: $20 per exam.
Choose as many exams as you want, in any combination you want.
Order form available at www.sciencevictoria.com.au/stavpublishing/trialExams.html
or contact STAV for an order form: STAV Publishing Phone: 03 9385 3999 Email: [email protected]
Contact • Vol 31 No 6 • July 2016 11
Contact July 2016
Science Circles Books 1 and 2These exciting books were produced by STAV Publishing and Blake Education. Author: Cheryl Jakab Science circles contains a wide range of classroom activities designed to engage students in extensive discussion while exploring science topics. The Science circles approach is developed from the concept that understanding is discourse-based. Scientific literacy is built when students can practise using correct terminology to give explanations and construct arguments based on evidence.
$37.95 Members/subscribers $39.95 Non-members per book
Book 2Suitable for years 7 & 8Contents:The nature of science – Working scientifically Biology – Body worksBiology – Living plantsChemistry – Make mine metalChemistry – Chemicals reactingEarth science – The Earth’s top layerPhysics – About heatPhysics – Using machinesEnvironment – EcosystemsAstronomy – Our solar systemPlanning and self-evaluation
For more information and sample activity pages go to www.sciencevictoria.com.au/stavpublishing/sciencecircles.html
Book 1Suitable for years 7 & 8Contents:The nature of science – Using science Biology– Classifying living thingsBiology – Units of life Chemistry – Units of matterChemistry – Out of the mixEarth science – Cracked egg Physics – Looking at lightPhysics – Electric circuitsEnvironment – Future energy suppliesAstronomy – Earth, Moon and SunPlanning and self-evaluation
Essential science skillsA toolbox for the middle yearsEssential science skills is a 126-page black line masters book for use with years 5 – 7.Developing science skills and knowing how to apply them is an essential part of learning about science. Science skills such as communicate, investigate, use ICT, use scientific knowledge and many more are presented as student handout sheets. These are complemented with classroom strategies for use by the teacher and student skill builder worksheets – ready for photocopying and instant use. Student skill builders provide usable examples of how the classroom strategies can be implemented; they demonstrate how to explicitly teach the strategies and provide students with many opportunities to use them. A series of matrices show links with VELS and how the skills and classroom strategies are linked.This book was produced by the Maroondah/Nunawading cluster.Price$44.90 Members/subscribers$46.90 Non-members Plus Postage & Handling $813.00For further information about this product contact:STAV Publishing • Telephone (03) 9385 3999 • Email: [email protected]
Science Coordinators’ HandbookThis handbook contains ideas, strategies and information relevant to leading and managing your science faculty. Suitable for inexperienced, experienced and aspiring coordinators. Includes a CD containing useful templates, samples and other tools.
Cost$33 Members$44 Subscribers/non-members $13 Additional PostageFor further information contact STAV Publishing Ph: (03) 9385 3999 or Email: [email protected]
Contact STAVPhone: (03) 9385 3999 • Fax: (03) 9386 6722Email: [email protected] • Website: www.stav.org.auAddress: PO Box 109, Coburg VIC 3058 • 5 Munro Street Coburg, VIC 3058
Newsletter of the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.
Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.
‘Advancing Science Education’
STAV Goals è Establish and maintain both financial and intellectual independence
è Represent the collective voice of science educators in Victoria
è Influence policy formulation in matters relating to Science Education
è Support and maintain regional special interest groups within STAV
è Provide a range of resources and services to support science educators
è Provide for and encourage student participation in a range of challenging science activities
è Promote the importance of Science Education to the community
è Recognise significant contributions by STAV members to Science Education.
Contact July 2016
Contact Advertising DeadlinesFebruary 28 January 2016March 25 February 2016April 21 March 2016May 28 April 2016June 31 May 2016July 21 June 2016August 28 July 2016
September 29 August 2016October 29 September 2016November 31 October 2016December 28 November 2016
For more advertising details go to www.stav.org.au/html/advertising.html