Small scientists, BIG impact: How students are powering insect discovery and ecosystem awareness
on 07/07/2025
By Dr Andy Howe and Dr Erinn Fagan-Jeffries If you’re a teacher looking for meaningful ways to connect students with real science, biodiversity, and ecosystems - look no further than your own schoolyard. Insects are everywhere, and it turns out, they can teach us a lot - not just about...
Questacon's 2025 Engineering is Elementary Program
on 01/07/2025
You can register for the Engineering is Elementary Program here. Engineering is Elementary: Term 3 Workshop Dates & Locations Wednesday 13 August – Adelaide (Northern Suburbs) Friday 15 August – Port Augusta Monday 18 August – Whyalla Wednesday 20 August – Adelaide (Central) Are you looking for an exciting opportunity...
East Marden Primary School's Student-Led Biodiversity Projects
on 30/06/2025
Written by Carly Willamowski, Science Teacher at East Marden Primary School Improving our schools biodiversity was a goal that started with the concerns of our students. As a school that sits along the Karrawirra Parri (River Torrens), East Marden Primary school is surrounded by Gum trees. These trees host a...
2025 National Science Week Activities
on 25/06/2025
What do you have planned for National Science Week this year? Check out some of the great activities we've come across (we will continue to update this in the lead up to National Science Week). Let us know what you have planned to feature on our National Science Week round-up...
SA Kids Blast Off: Local Students Launch Experiments into Space
on 16/06/2025
This late June marks a historic moment for student innovation and space education as Robinson Aerospace Systems prepares to launch their first satellite aboard a SpaceX rocket. What makes this launch truly special? The satellite carries experiments designed and built by school students from seven different countries around the globe....
Science Active School - East Marden Primary School
on 06/06/2025
Years awarded: 2025 What Makes East Marden Primary School a Science Active School SASTA Member on staff Participate in the Oliphant Science Awards Had an article printed in SASTA publications Being a Science Active School represents a commitment to fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and discovery in science. Our...
Science Active School - Caritas College
on 02/06/2025
Years awarded: 2025 What Makes Caritas College a Science Active School SASTA Members Participating in the Oliphant Science Awards Staff volunteering to judge in the Oliphant Science Awards Staff member attendance at the SASTA annual conference. Had an article printed in SASTA publications Hear from Science teacher, Christine Kemp, about ...
Bats of the Bush: Exploring the Secret Lives of South Australia's Bats
on 26/05/2025
What do bats have to do with city parks, insect control, and citizen science? Quite a lot, as explored in this engaging webinar hosted by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, featuring ecologists Dr Jason Van Weenen and Dr Kyle Armstrong. From flying foxes to microbats, this event takes a...
A Jewel of the Pollinator World
on 19/05/2025
written by Rob Wallace from the Green Adelaide Education Team Green Adelaide supports nature-based life-long learning at your school or preschool. We love fostering curiosity and connecting students to the amazing biodiversity right around them. Check out the amazing jewel beetles that can be found around Adelaide, we hope they...
Bringing Back the Butterflies (BBB) campaign and Butterfly Gardens
on 19/05/2025
Nearly everyone enjoys butterflies. Their colours and behaviours tend to brighten our day and increase our connection to nature. This is important when considering human well-being. Educational opportunities Studying butterflies and developing a butterfly garden are great ways to engage student learning at all levels and can readily be linked...
Science Active School - St Mary's College
on 12/05/2025
Years awarded: 2025 St Mary’s College is thrilled to be recognized as a SASTA Science Active School for 2025. This recognition highlights our commitment to fostering a dynamic and engaging science education, empowering students with the skills and curiosity needed to navigate the ever-evolving world of STEM. Science is not...
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...
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,...