2018 STEM (6-11) Conference

10:40 AM

1 Hour

This presentation will describe two examples of inquiry driven teaching labs in chemistry. The first was carried out with undergraduate students in a second year chemistry lab in which the students designed their own experiment with guidance from the lecturer. In one case, the students discovered an unusual result that turned into a summer research project and peer-reviewed publication in a leading chemistry journal. The second case study will describe a collaboration with the Canadian Light Source and a project with a high school in Saskatoon Canada. These students used a new material developed in the Chalker Lab and designed their own experiments in capturing pollution. This led to beam time at a world-class synchrotron facility and new discoveries that supported student learning and benefitted science in general. Challenges and opportunities in implementing these inquiry-driven labs will be discussed.

Presenter: Dr Justin M. Chalker

Organisation: Flinders University

Target Audience: Science (yr 6-11)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

A case study of the implementation of a thematic STEM problem-solving event that was run for 2 cohorts of 140 students each: years 8 and 9. The event was held over two consecutive days as part of Tenison Woods College's inaugural STEMtember initiative. The session will outline the preparation: intended outcomes, timing, resourcing, and the resulting successes, pitfalls and general advice for anyone else wanting to promote STEM in their school.

Presenter: Jason de Nys

Organisation: Tenison Woods College - Mount Gambier

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Design & technology (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

In this practical workshop, participants will use coding and technology to create a system which will run automatically when the conditions are right. This workshop focuses on student understanding of environmental conditions, inequalities and units, coding and engineering.

Presenter: Isabelle Hoadley

Organisation: O’Loughlin Catholic College

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Design & technology (yr 6-11), Ict (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

Biological theory distilled into a few principles on which to hang most of the curriculum. Sharing some helpful activities, information on the importance of pictures/diagrams, a story and explicitly teaching study skills.

Presenter: Adela King

Organisation: Gawler and District College

Target Audience: Stage 1 & 2 Biology

10:40 AM

1 Hour

Find out how we have moved our end of year program from zero to full STEAM ahead. Look at the analysis of the successes and the things to improve upon from last year. See how the learning from our projects has shaped our path for the further.

Presenter: Angela Phillips

Organisation: Westminster school

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

This workshop is designed to show how to implement the use of video and images to analyse motion, images of experiments (e.g. Teltron tube & Snell's Law), colorimetry and reaction rates within the Physics and Chemistry classroom. Using the FREE cross platform software “Tracker” from the Open Source Physics project out of Canada, students will be able to collect calibrated measurement data from recording/photographing practicals for post analysis.

Presenter: Paul Gavini

Organisation: Marden Senior College

Target Audience: Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

If Science and Maths shows us the How and Why of things AND if Technology helps us to test the WHAT IS and WHAT IS NOT of things; Then Engineering is the application of this knowledge to explore solutions and create NEW things. If this is so, what are some projects/tasks/assignments that will challenge our students to explore new things? The role of good task design is so important. It helps to promote good pedagogy and encourages growth in both teacher and student.

Presenter: John Dimitriou

Organisation: Adelaide High School

Target Audience: Design & technology (yr 6-11),

10:40 AM

1 Hour

How can math teachers engage those students who believe they are decidedly ‘arts’ people? What might ‘The Hunger Games’ have to do with Geometry? This workshop aims to explore the possibilities of Integrated Learning between English and Mathematics through a hands-on building activity based on the novel ‘A Diary of a Girl’, with the aim of explicating a useful context for teaching Year 9 Mathematics and/or Science. We will then examine broader possibilities for Integrating Mathematics and English in the busy and highly structured contexts in which we teach, with the aim of guiding educators to introduce Algebra to Jane Austen and Calculus to Lewis Caroll.​

Presenter: Jak Baddams

Organisation: Brighton Secondary School

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Design & technology (yr 6-11), Ict (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

10:40 AM

How often have we tried to plan an engaging unit only to find that the students don’t share our enthusiasm? How do we find out what the students care about? How do we use this information to plan a high-quality Integrated unit? This workshop will strip the planning back to basics and use the workshop participants as the student voice to design a STEM unit. Participants will experience the planning journey of a year 6/7 unit and will have the skills to implement the process in their own context.

Presenter: Kate Argue

Organisation: East Adelaide School

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), 6/7 (Integrated) Classroom teachers

10:40 AM

This workshop will provide opportunities to work in a team to explore/create different online and hands-on activities and their connections to the Australian Curriculum. Participants will also be given the opportunity to address the literacy and numeracy component of the Australian Curriculum and at the end, they create their own STEM activity/assessment with rubrics. Key Topics: • Explore online resources • Discover the STEM components in the activity • Hands-on STEM Activity 1 • Hands-on STEM Activity 2 • Address literacy and numeracy • Generate Rubrics • Create your own activity/assessment for your class

Presenter: Amana Chhokar

Organisation: Department for Education

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Design & technology (yr 6-11), Ict (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

This workshop explored building a culture of mathematical thinking with the use of inclusive language, effective questioning and teaching strategies that challenge misconceptions, foster student participation and develop understanding.

Presenter: Sam Capurso

Organisation: Westminster School

Target Audience: Mathematics (yr 6-11)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

Two Wells Primary School is one of seven schools that have been short listed to work towards putting a science experiment on the International Space Station. Learn how this school has engaged their community in rocket science by combining the SA Schools Space Mission with the STEM Ambassador Program. An ex-engineer, now teacher, structured the program to run as an engineering project, as a large company might. From small beginnings, this program always had a long-term plan, and now incorporates about 50 students from years 4 to 7 from five different classes. Find out more about the SA Schools Space Mission and how it is providing students with authentic STEM opportunities as well as other teamwork and leadership skills.

Presenter: Mike Hawkey

Organisation: Two Wells Primary School

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

The F1 in schools program is one of the World’s BIGGEST STEM competitions with more than 17,000 schools across 44 nations taking on the challenge to develop the fastest miniature F1 car. Brighton Secondary School has a long history competing in this program with two World Championship titles. Join this workshop to explore the road to F1 success, including the CAD, CAM, Folios, Pit display and verbal presentations required to succeed in this international STEM challenge.

Presenter: Finn Galindo

Organisation: Brighton Secondary School

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Design & technology (yr 6-11)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

In this workshop I aim to share with you the design, implementation, experience of students and staff, as well assessment of a 6 week STEAM and entrepreneurial program undertaken by the year 10 cohort in 2017 and 2018. The aim of the program was to give students space and time to work through a problem collaboratively, working with industry to make the connection between Science and STEM and the real world, exposing them to careers and pathways in STEM. Students kept individual e-portfolios so teachers could track their progress; Specifically, development of their knowledge in the key Science areas, transferability, challenges and opportunities encountered, as well as the evaluation of the process. The serendipitous learning, as well as critical thinking skills evidenced through this program was phenomenal, as was the engagement and motivation seen in the students. This program increased both student agency and teacher efficacy. Evidence of success has been noted with the 2017 cohort’s confidence at stage 1 this year when challenged with deconstruct practicals and SHE tasks. The accelerated students completing stage 2 Biology have also used these skills to enable them to engage in the deconstruct process with ease.

Presenter: Melissa Richichi

Organisation: St Ignatius College

Target Audience: Science (yr 6-11)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

With the increased use of rubrics, sometimes their use can be a bit vague and open to interpretation. Using reliable rubrics can help alleviate this, as well as ensuring that the AC standards as well as the cross-curricular priorities and the capabilities are also addressed in your task design. Once designed, these rubrics will also help minimise the amount of feedback that is required for students to know where they need to improve, thus helping with teacher workload.

Presenter: Dave Graham

Organisation: Birdwood High School

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

About 30 metres below Clapham North Station in London a disused bomb shelter has been transformed into an underground farm. Richard Ballard and Steven Dring are growing a range of herbs for London restaurants in an environment that looks like something from the 1970’s science-fiction classic, Silent Running. In this workshop participants will experiment with components of an automated plant growing system including watering, lighting and temperature. Simple coding will be used to automate the system in a completely theme based unit that brings together biology, physics, engineering, coding, technology and mathematics.

Presenter: Peter Fox

Organisation: Texas Instruments Australia P/L

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Ict (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

Computational and design thinking is a way of understand problems – a process of de-composing a problem and creating a sub-solution for each of the problem, before constructing and implementing a solution. It is more than just coding by following step-by-step instructional guides; rather understanding the logic behind these steps. This session presents a computing progression pathway which forms part of Mangahigh’s online learning platform – with specific pedagogic approaches and practical lessons that teachers can simply assign to guide students through the process of developing computational thinking.

Presenter: Michelle Kueh

Organisation: Mangahigh

Target Audience: Design & technology (yr 6-11), Ict (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

Everywhere you turn these days there are stories about drones and how they are going to change the way we live. The big question is how can schools leverage this interest? Programmable and other entry level drones are now priced very keenly. Even higher level machines are being used productively in education settings. From developing understandings of the physics of flight through maths and engineering activities and more, drones have a lot to offer students from middle school and beyond. This session will explore some school based drone options and how they might be utilised.

Presenter: John Pearce

Organisation: Deakin University

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Ict (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

1:35 PM

1 Hour

This workshop will look at the application of the engineering approach within a cross curriculum STEM group at St Aloysius College. Groups of students meet at lunchtime to participate in team challenges, and some have worked on larger scale projects. The key ideas are: The creation of a safe and enjoyable learning environment that encourages students to have a go. Giving students ownership of the learning. Learning to fail, and owning your failures. The importance of soft skills.

Presenter: Thomas Cotton

Organisation: St Aloysius College

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11)

1:35 PM

1 Hour

How does your phone or TV create colour as we know it? This workshop develops understanding of the Physics, Art, Mathematics and Technology of light and colour. Participants will use coding to create their own LED lights.

Presenter: Isabelle Hoadley

Organisation: O'Loughlin Catholic College

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Design & technology (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

1:35 PM

1 Hour

Attendees will have an opportunity to explore real world STEM activities. From flying a drone over a natural disaster site searching for survivors to coding sensors to create a new piece of wearable technology; participants will experience hands on STEM activities.

Presenter: Emma Fowler

Organisation: Nazareth Catholic College

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Design & technology (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Digital Technologies, Science (yr 6-11)

1:35 PM

1 Hour

This workshop considers the benefits of testing in Mathematics and how tests should be constructed so that meaningful information can be collected and they can differentiate across a range of levels of achievement. Sample tests will be critiqued, and you are invited to bring your own tests to analyse. This workshop caters for teachers of Mathematics in upper primary and middle school settings

Presenter: Sam Capurso

Organisation: Westminster School

Target Audience: Mathematics (yr 6-11)

1:35 PM

1 Hour

Next year is the centenary of the 1919 Air Race from England to Australia, won by South Australian brothers Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith in a plane made of wood and fabric, with open cockpits and a compass for navigation. It presents a fantastic opportunity to engage and inspire school students in key STEM subjects. A high-level committee has been established under the auspice of the History Trust of South Australia to ensure this remarkable story inspires a new generation. As part of this, we're working with the Department for Education to create a range of exciting STEM projects aligned to the curriculum across all year levels. A new website will offer comprehensive learning resources and we’ll run competitions for schools.

Presenter: Lainie Anderson

Organisation: Epic Flight Centenary Committee (EFC2019)

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11)

1:35 PM

1 Hour

If you’ve clicked on a QR Code or if you joined in the Pokemon Go craze then you’ve involved yourself with another ‘reality’, one virtual, the other augmented. Whilst higher end applications of both may be beyond most schools there are some very cost effective entry options available too. In this session we will explore some virtual and augmented reality options that can be used in your science classroom both for consumption of content as well as ones that can be used for sharing learning and understandings.

Presenter: John Pearce

Organisation: Deakin University

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Ict (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

1:35 PM

1 Hour

Maths300 is a professional learning resource designed to support and develop teachers’ practice in their classrooms. 194 rich investigations are available on subscription from http://maths300.com. These lessons are suitable for students from Foundation to Year 12. Software has been developed to allow students to ‘work like a mathematician’ for 81 of the lessons. In this session, participants will have an opportunity to explore two lessons in depth from the Maths300 collection that have strong interdisciplinary STEM links. They will be ‘Big M’ STEM lessons, suitable for students Years 5 - 12.

Presenter: Matt Skoss

Organisation: Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

1:35 PM

1 Hour

As the advancement of technology continues to grow exponentially, and the abilities of artificial intelligence becomes increasingly complex, all students need to have an understanding of digital technologies and posses higher order thinking skills to provide functions computers are not capable of. This workshop will highlight the NEW PocketLab technology tool that enhances the Science curriculum through practical and LIVE data measurement activities including Acceleration, Dew Point, Angular Velocity, Magnetic field, Pressure Altitude, Light Intensity, Temperature probe and much more.

Presenter: Brad Howard

Organisation: Practical PD

Target Audience: Science (yr 6-11)

1:35 PM

STELR resources provide a relevant and engaging way for students to use and apply the skills required to work scientifically and technologically. The resources encourage students to design and develop open-ended inquiries into the best way to generate electricity using renewable energy including wind and solar. Students learn about energy transfers and transformations and electricity generation and develop skills including working collaboratively, planning and undertaking investigations, choosing the best equipment, working safely, recording results and reporting back. Participants gain an overview of the STELR Renewable Energy program, undertake hands-on investigations into wind and solar electricity generation and use support materials.

Presenter: Pennie Stoyles

Organisation: ATSE - Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

1:35 PM

The aim of this session is to provide participants with hands on experience with engaging, rich, project-based STE(A)M activities. Attendees at the session will engage with two (2) STE(A)M activities. Each of these activities takes project-based, problem-solving approach to STE(A)M teaching and learning. Participants will take on the ‘role’ of student and complete meaningful and relevant STE(A)M activities that can be used in across the curriculum or used with STE(A)M clubs or STE(A)M weeks.

Presenter: Rachel Ford

Organisation: Cengage Australia

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Design & technology (yr 6-11), Ict (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

2:40 PM

1 Hour

This workshop will be about creating an adventure style STEM challenge that caters for larger groups. I will use my example of an 'Adventure to Mars' to explain how to plan, structure and implement a school wide STEM project that challenges and engages a wide range of students. We will also spend time devising new ideas for your future projects.

Presenter: Joanne Scott

Organisation: Department for Education

Target Audience: Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

2:40 PM

1 Hour

An overview of an Earth and Space Science unit, with a rocket propulsion STEM project at the end. Participants will be able to test a few propulsion systems during the workshop, and will be given a STEM Brief, and a 10-week lesson plan of the Unit. This Unit was taught to a composite Year 6/7 class, but has applications across the entire 6-11 cohort of learners.

Presenter: Karina Darling

Organisation: Risdon Park Primary School

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Design & technology (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

2:40 PM

1 Hour

Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who is ‘problem solviest’ of them all? This middle school activity to create a mirror, teaches students about the interconnectedness of STEM subjects especially for functional or artisan-type pursuits. Join this workshop to explore the silver mirror deposition reaction and partake in the problem solving challenge undertaken by year 9 students. In creating your mirror, develop your practical skills and materials understandings associated with design and technology outcomes and understand the mathematics involved in creating a frame and fitting that frame with a glass insert. In addition, why not explore a little mirror history and pop culture?

Presenter: Sam Moyle

Organisation: Brighton Secondary School

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Design & technology (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)

2:40 PM

1 Hour

The Bebras challenge promotes problem solving skills and Informatics concepts including the ability to break down complex tasks into simpler components, algorithm design, pattern recognition, pattern generalisation and abstraction. A comprehensive website has challenges suitable for students from Years 3 to 12. This session will introduce a selection of Brebras tasks, and familiarise teachers with resources on the website at http://brebras.edu.au. Bring your laptop or tablet to the session.

Presenter: Matt Skoss

Organisation: Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers

Target Audience: Ict (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11)

2:40 PM

1 Hour

This workshop will explore advanced Excel functions such as VLOOKUP, SUMPRODUCT and Data Validation in order to improve digital mark books. Participants will leave the session with a template they can then apply to their own settings. It will be shown how improved spreadsheets can increase the use of data to inform practice and improve learning for students. This workshop is designed for teachers who are confident with the basics of Excel and are looking for the next step. Please bring a laptop with Excel installed.

Presenter: Raiph McPherson

Organisation: Seaton High School

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Ict (yr 6-11)

2:40 PM

1 Hour

This workshop is designed to demonstrate how student laptops can be converted into an oscilloscope and spectrum analyser using free software and their inbuilt microphone. This will allow learners to advance their understanding of sound and wave principles through dynamic experimentation. Practicals to implement in the classroom will also be demonstrated.

Presenter: Paul Gavini

Organisation: Marden Senior College

Target Audience: Science (yr 6-11)

2:40 PM

1 Hour

Five years ago autonomous driving was possible, it now appears inevitable. Companies like Tesla and Google have disrupted this landscape that is expected to contribute more than $10 trillion to the global economy. The horseless carriage is becoming the driverless car. In the 2004 Grand Challenge teams of enthusiasts attached sensors and computers, wrote their own code and sent modified vehicles off through the Mojave desert. Most vehicles crashed within sight of the starting line. How far could your students go? In this workshop you will program a robotic vehicle, not just to track a line but also to avoid obstacles and perhaps even reverse park. Are you up to the challenge?

Presenter: Peter Fox

Organisation: Texas Instruments Australia P/L

Target Audience: Cross-curriculum (yr 6-11), Ict (yr 6-11), Mathematics (yr 6-11), Science (yr 6-11)