Celebrating Excellence in Science Education: 2025 SASTA Award Winners
on 28/04/2025
The South Australian Science Teachers Association (SASTA) proudly recognises the outstanding achievements of this year’s award recipients—dedicated educators whose passion, innovation, and leadership continue to shape the future of science education in South Australia. We also thank Credit Union SA, proud sponsor of the Outstanding Contribution to the Teaching of...
Marine Plastics: From Pollution to Solution
on 07/04/2025
Written by Dr Nina Wootton from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Adelaide The problem with plastic Plastic is everywhere. It’s in our homes, our workplaces, our oceans, and even in the food we eat. Once considered a groundbreaking material for its durability and versatility, plastic has...
Turning failed antibiotics into weedkillers
on 31/03/2025
Dr Tatiana Soares da Costa, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide Weeds are popping up everywhere! Not just in our backyards, but also in farms all around Australia and the world. Weeds reduce the quality and size of food harvests, costing Australian farmers over...
Questacon's 2025 Engineering is Elementary Program
on 21/03/2025
Term 2 Virtual workshops - Playdough After school from 3.30-5.00pm or 5.30-7.00pm over 2 weeks More information Term 3 Virtual workshops - Windmills Dates and times TBD Term 3 In person Location, time and unit TBD Tern 4 Virtual Time and unit TBD You can register for the Engineering is...
Taking the recycling ethos into the lab to collect much needed data on our aquatic environments
on 17/03/2025
Zoë Doubleday – Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer, University of South Australia As an environmental scientist, I’m an avid recycler at home. But I also apply the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” ethos to the workplace as well, and I’m not just talking about recycling the refuse of my lunch, I’m...
A mix of science and culture to snag seagrass rescue in a world heritage site
on 10/03/2025
Dr Elizabeth Sinclair, School of Biological Science and Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia and Patricia Oakley, Malgana Elder, Ranger, and Indigenous Knowledge holder Please be advised that the following article contains images of an Indigenous person who has died, which are used with family permission. Yandani Gathaagudu, Shark Bay,...
Get to know your board members: Jordan Della Pietra
on 03/03/2025
Jordan Della Pietra School / Organisation: Woodville High School Current role: STEM Coordinator What inspired you to become a science teacher? I have always loved learning. I remember helping my sister with her schooling from a young age. After completing studies in my passion, marine biology, I wanted to help...
7 Steps to Networking Success: A Guide for South Australian Science Teachers
on 24/02/2025
Networking. Just the word can send shivers down your spine, right? But let’s be real—if you want to bring real-world STEM applications into your classroom, find guest speakers, or build strong industry connections, you need to flex that networking muscle! And just like any muscle, the more you use it,...
Starting Practical Work with Junior Science in 2025? Some Things to Consider...
on 17/02/2025
How Often Should Students Be Doing Practical Work? Aim to incorporate practical work at least once a week to keep students engaged in their learning. However, always ensure that each activity is relevant to the curriculum—practical work should never be done just for the sake of it! If it doesn't...
Get to know your board members: Alexandra Fowler
on 10/02/2025
Alexandra Fowler School / Organisation: Woomera Area School Current role: Teacher/Autism Inclusion Teacher What inspired you to become a science teacher? I honestly never wanted to be a teacher. The thing is I love sharing my knowledge and learning new things. I did animal science and wanted to be vet....
Science Starts Here: Tips to Kick-Start the School Year with Confidence
on 30/01/2025
Starting a new school year can be exciting but also overwhelming. To help you get off to a strong start, we’ve gathered a collection of tips from experienced science teachers. Whether it’s getting your classroom organised, engaging students from day one, or planning your year in line with the curriculum,...
Ediacaran Honour
on 12/12/2024
During the last week of Term 4, some Year 8 students at Seymour College were lucky enough to rub shoulders with Ediacaran royalty, as Old Collegian, Mary Lou Simpson (McArthur, ’70) dropped into Barr Smith House for some morning tea. The students have recently been covering the Ediacaran fossils, as...
Fossil Rock: A Fossil-Filled Adventure Launches Globally on YouTube
on 10/12/2024
Get ready to sing, dance, and discover with Fossil Rock! This innovative kids’ series combines music, science, and adventure to bring the story of the world’s oldest fossils, the Ediacara biota, to life. Launching globally on YouTube on December 14, 2024, Fossil Rock is free to access, ensuring its fun...
Get to know your board members: Sarah Finney
on 18/11/2024
Sarah Finney School / Organisation: Stirling East Primary School Current role: Teacher Year 5/6 What inspired you to become a science teacher? My driving passion for Science and my enjoyment for sharing the wonder. How many years have you been teaching? Close to 22 Why did you join the SASTA...
Growing an oyster reef restoration revolution in South Australia
on 11/11/2024
A lost part of the coast Most people are unaware that just 200 years ago, South Australia was home to some of the largest reef ecosystems on the continent. South Australia’s large gulfs and sheltered bays and estuaries were filled with enormous shellfish reefs formed by billions of oysters, mussels,...
Celebrating Dedication in Science Education: Jane Hosking’s 2024 Honour Award
on 04/11/2024
At SASTA, we honour the dedicated members who strengthen our community and contribute to quality science education. This year, we proudly recognise Jane Hosking, whose unwavering support for teachers and laboratory staff has earned her the 2024 Honour Award. Jane’s achievements are part of SASTA’s ongoing mission to foster excellence...
Honouring Innovation in Science Education: Jarrod Johnson’s 2024 Honour Award
on 28/10/2024
At SASTA, we are proud to celebrate individuals who inspire and innovate within the science education community. This year, we are thrilled to recognise Jarrod Johnson, whose commitment to engaging students with science has earned him the 2024 Honour Award. Jarrod’s dedication is part of a broader tradition of excellence...
Nurturing Nature: Coromandel Valley's Science Week in Action
on 25/10/2024
Update: 25 October 2024 National Science Week was expanded to 'Science Term' at Coromandel Valley Primary School. Check out the update photos they've sent through below. Year 2 Students designing signs - student artwork will be made into aluminium signage for the garden planted during National Science Week. Year 3/4...
Science Active School - Brighton Primary School
on 21/10/2024
Years awarded: 2024 & 2025 Read about some of the ways they show they are a Science Active School. Brighton Primary School (BPS) is very proud to be a Science Active School with over 700 students given the opportunity to participate in the Oliphant Science Awards annually and staff members...
Eating Tomorrow
on 14/10/2024
“What will we be eating in the future?” This has been a question often put to our team and collaborators at Post Dining, ever since we started exploring themes of ‘future foods’ in our work. Post Dining is a creative production company working at the intersection of food, art, and...
Nutrition is a Science: Why Evidence-Based Nutrition Education Matters
on 07/10/2024
Our beliefs about food and nutrition are shaped by our culture, tradition, and personal experiences. And coupled with so much noise from diet trends, social media influencers, marketers, and even well-meaning friends and family, it is sometimes easy to forget that nutrition as a field of study is based on...
Get to know your board members: Brent Banham
on 30/09/2024
What inspired you to become a science teacher? Science enriches lives. It is one of the best ways to appreciate all of creation and our place in it. Science is one pathway for a joyful life! On the flipside, scientific thinking is important in a society that is full of...
Celebrating Country Science Educators
on 23/09/2024
The SASTA community is shaped by the diverse and passionate educators who bring science to life for students across the state. Among them, our country teachers play a vital role, often facing unique challenges yet continuing to inspire curiosity and learning in their classrooms. We want to shine a spotlight...
Schools can help with Native Bee Conservation
on 16/09/2024
Dr Katja Hogendoorn, The University of Adelaide While climate change and declines in biodiversity are inevitable, and the lack of adequate action drives some of us to despair, we can all make small contributions to help mitigate some of the effects. Taken together, these small contributions have a positive impact...
From Ideas to Action: The Best Citizen Science Projects from the Oliphant Science Awards
on 09/09/2024
Citizen science involves public participation and collaboration in scientific research with the aim to increase and translate scientific knowledge. It’s a great way to harness community skills and passion to fuel our ability to understand how the world works and how to protect it. The Citizen Science category in the...