2014 Maths & Science Middle School Conference

10:40 AM

1 Hour

I have been summarising practical protocols on Google Docs which are freely available online. By organising the files within a website, according to the National Curriculum framework, I hope I have created a useful open resource which invites interactive improvement and collaboration. In this session we will explore how the resource is created, the opportunities this approach presents and problems which are apparent.

Presenter: Scott Spargo

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers, Primary school teachers, Senior school (yr. 10-12) teachers

10:40 AM

1 Hour

The session will use Solution Fluency as a pedagogical framework to deliver Year 7 and 8 cross-curricula units of inquiry. The presentation will: empower participants to access Solution Fluency, share examples of student work, links to ACARA, show vertical and cross-curricular applications, and illustrate how ICT, differentiation, high-order thinking and visible learning are integrated into units. Participants will gain an understanding of Solution Fluency enabling the delivery of rich units.

Presenter: Simone Burzacott-Gorman & Danielle Kemp

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers

10:40 AM

1 Hour

Launching the latest four STEM Career resources from RiAus in partnership with DECD. Classroom activities and interview clips on STEM careers in robotics, 3D printing, forensics and art conservation.

Presenter: Tania Meyer

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers

10:40 AM

1 Hour

The discovery of an unidentified skull created a rich learning experience for the whole school community before extending further to include professors, palaeontologists, fossil experts and digging implements. The real-world inquiry process took the students on a journey that was highly motivating and incorporated multiple facets of the Australian Curriculum: Science as well as components from History, Mathematics and English.

Presenter: Kate Brown

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers, Pre-service teachers, Primary school teachers, Tertiary educators

10:40 AM

1 Hour

A coin is unlikely to land on its edge and a long dowel unlikely to land on its circular end. Somewhere in between these extreme cylinders is one where P(head)=P(tail)=P(side). This investigation involves developing and testing conjectures, by collecting and analysing data, then asking why is it so?

Presenter: Pauline Carter

10:40 AM

1 Hour

Too often teachers around the world rely on a text book approach to teaching statistics, lacking the confidence (and sometimes content knowledge) to provide an opportunity for students to teach a full understanding of statistics and probability. Come and relearn!

Presenter: Alan Smith

10:40 AM

1 Hour

The Australian Curriclulum,TfEL and SACE all require students to work in groups but we all know that group work can a recipe for disaster. Well structured group work based on research and experience can be highly engaging for students and lead to better conceptual development, higher order thinking skills and longer retention of information. This is a hands-on workshop modelling effective group work skills using an open-ended maths problem but applicable to any subject or year level

Presenter: Lara Golding & Leanne Issacs

11:45 AM

1 Hour

Each week Cosmos publishes an online school lesson based on a recent science article, linked to the Australian Curriculum and I am part of the writing team. This workshop will allow you access to lessons already released and time to explore how you might incorporate these into your planning for next year.

Presenter: Paula Mills

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers, Senior school (yr. 10-12) teachers

11:45 AM

1 Hour

This interactive workshop involves discussions around the big questions of teaching science: What is Science really for? And how might we engage our students with science? Participants will have opportunities to talk about their practice, their issues and to share their ideas with peers. At the end of this session participants will take away the supporting resource we used during the session. Ideas generated by the group collaboration will be collated and made available to all participants.

Presenter: Lyn Jefferies

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers, Primary school teachers

11:45 AM

1 Hour

Knowing how to manage personal finances is one of the most important and challenging features of everyday life. It is a core life skill in today’s world. It affects quality of life, the opportunities individuals and families can pursue their sense of security and the overall economic health of Australian society. Money Smart Teacher Workshop 1 – Introduction to consumer and financial literacy education in Australia, will provide teachers with an opportunity to explore resources that support the teaching and learning of consumer and financial literacy (C&FL) through the Australian Curriculum learning areas. Resources have been developed by teachers for teachers and include a Teacher Guide, a Facilitator Guide and Units of Work supported by digital activities and other resources. C&FL is not another learning area and it certainly is not an ‘add on’ to what you already do. Rather than add to a curriculum with competing priorities, this workshop will provide real life learning experiences that engage students within the subjects you already teach.

Presenter: Kate Dilger

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers, Primary school teachers, Senior school (yr. 10-12) teachers

11:45 AM

1 Hour

The relatively new segregation of the pursuit of knowledge in maths and science from humanities does neither base of knowledge justice. The ASMS is interdisciplinary and does incorporate both approaches to knowledge within core our Central Study subjects. Even within the more science orientated lessons of our Central Studies, ASMS teachers incorporate more traditional Humanities genres of role-play and poetry to explore literacy from many different points. This presentation will provide participants with the opportunity to look at some of the specific tasks and modes of thinking used at to help students appreciate science from a humanistic view point and to consider developing similar interdisciplinary tasks for their students.

Presenter: Matthew Jamieson

11:45 AM

1 Hour

How do you cater for the enormous range of abilities within your class? Routine textbook questions provide an opportunity for 'process consolidation' but they are often too hard for some, and too easy for others; this can quickly lead to frustration or boredom! Rich tasks that have multiple entry points and numerous extensions can be used to engage students and introduce concepts. Participants in this session will explore a number of activities that fulfil the description "rich learning task" and see how these tasks can be integrated into the curriculum.

Presenter: Peter Fox

11:45 AM

1 Hour

This workshop is designed to encourage teachers be aware some of the common mistakes and misconceptions students make. It explores some of the reasons students make mistakes or develop misconceptions and how teachers can either use these or modify their approach to enhance student learning.

Presenter: David Andrew

11:45 AM

1 Hour

Working mathematically is about more than knowing facts. recalling definitions and applying techniques to problems that are already familiar to us. This workshop demonstrates elements from a new subject purposely designed to build mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills in pre-service teachers through the use of games and puzzles. In this session we will put into action a range of mathematical processes that can be used with any type of problem, especially those that look challenging!

Presenter: Amie Albrecht

1:35 PM

1 Hour

Learn how to show your students the dangers of Dihydrogen Monoxide and how they can scan their own DNA profile and clone themselves online. Workshop simple tools that students can use to critically evaluate websites so that they don't hand up a project on antigravity or magnetic water. Have fun exploring how to teach students to be skeptics by drawing attention to their own gullibility.

Presenter: Mark Divito

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers, Primary school teachers

1:35 PM

1 Hour

TESEP offers fully funded PD to enhance delivery of Earth and Space topics of the Australian Science Curriculum. The GPP can provide lesson and unit plans, field excursion guides, loan equipment and bus subsidies for member schools. Membership is free. This workshop will give a brief taste of both.

Presenter: Len Altman

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers

1:35 PM

1 Hour

Student’s misconceptions and their resistant to change can be an ongoing frustration for teachers. We will explore how knowing the possible misconceptions before teaching students plays a critical role in student's science learning and transfer of learning. We will share a tool on the Leading Learning resource that explores ways of working with students misconceptions (alternative conceptions and prior knowledge) of science concepts; and connects with inquiry and Science as a Human Endeavour.

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers, Primary school teachers, Senior school (yr. 10-12) teachers

1:35 PM

1 Hour

How many times daily do you have to deal with students using their mobile phones when they should be learning during the class time? On the other hand, have you ever walked into classroom and thought “if I only had a way to visually present this concept so that students can investigate on their own, capturing their attention, tempting them to ask the ‘why’ question?” Imagine the possibilities of using student phones as a mobile ‘lab’, full of apps developed between students and teachers in our schools, apps which follow Australian Curriculum and help explain concepts otherwise difficult to grasp. Not only visual but also kinaesthetic presentation can inspire students to acquire intuitive understanding and entice them to engage in the scientific explanation of the theory behind the concepts. This workshop showcases some of the apps already developed by SA students and teachers and suggested learning activities for each. PLEASE BRING YOUR SMART PHONES WITH YOU!!

Presenter: Maja Williams

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers, Primary school teachers, Senior school (yr. 10-12) teachers

1:35 PM

1 Hour

This workshop focuses on a pedagogical approach to mathematics that creates opportunities for deep learning and high student engagement. My students had a history of maths anxiety and low self-belief. An amazing “flip” in student engagement and achievement occurred when I started asking more of them rather than less!

Presenter: Sheree Bennett

1:35 PM

1 Hour

What do student responses in NAPLAN actually telI you about student understanding in numeracy and more importantly mathematics? How can we analyse these responses and what can we do to improve student success? How does NAPLAN link to the proficiencies of the Australian Curriculum? During the workshop you will be provided with a variety of tasks and problems to try, using varied sources, to enhance deeper thinking for your students in mathematics.

Presenter: Vanessa Gorman

1:35 PM

1 Hour

*IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP PLEASE ENSURE YOU BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP, IPAD OR TABLET TO WORK ON. This hands-on session will focus on providing purpose in the maths classroom. This purpose will help frame the type of learning and thinking that can occur in a mathematics classroom. With the use of Mathletics as one tool, Lyn will explore the role of interactives, eBooks and videos as core components of personalising students learning and therefore framing success for each student.

Presenter: Lyn D'sylva

2:40 PM

1 Hour

Students are motivated to engage more effectively with learning when they feel ownership and control over what they learn. Learning can happen in a range of ways all which are effective for a range of different students. Do you often struggle to meet all the needs of students in your class? This workshop will explore a range of different ways that differentiation and co-design can be effectively implemented into middle school science classes. It provides practical, hands on learning about the different ways that teachers can prepare for and plan for a range of learning needs and providing more time for ongoing assessment of student understanding.

Presenter: Karla Pobke

2:40 PM

1 Hour

How do you get students to measure, record, represent and most importantly, interpret data? You will explore this question through a fun, hands-on investigation that will give students an authentic experience of the process of science.

Presenter: Kate Dilger

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers

2:40 PM

1 Hour

The General Capabilities are a key driver in the Australian Curriculum for developing innovative 21st century learning. This workshop uses practical experiences, supporting resources and dialogue to build participant familiarity with the General Capabilities and develop ideas for use in the science classroom that can increase the intellectual engagement of students and deepen their understanding.

Presenter: Marianne Nicholas

Target Audience: Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers, Primary school teachers

2:40 PM

1 Hour

Knowing how to manage personal finances is one of the most important and challenging features of everyday life. It is a core life skill in today’s world. It affects quality of life, the opportunities individuals and families can pursue their sense of security and the overall economic health of Australian society.

Presenter: David Andrew

2:40 PM

1 Hour

Algebra can be used as a tool for generalising, solving problems and efficiently representing patterns. Participants in this workshop will explore a collection of problems that cultivate algebraic understanding, cater for a range of abilities and provide for significant extension opportunities. Contrast this with common repetitive and procedural problems presented to students that typically sell algebra short of its real purpose.

Presenter: Peter Fox

2:40 PM

1 Hour

This session goes through a range of different free computer applications that will allow teachers to use authentic student voice as a driver for deeper, personalized learning design. It allows teachers to post challenging tasks, collect real time feedback from students, allow students to collaborate with each other anonymously, teachers to group students and monitor their understanding and engagement. Imagine students posting questions and other students providing help whilst the teacher is moderating and contributing as well. This is real 21st Century Learning!

Presenter: David Bennett

2:40 PM

1 Hour

Smartphones are powerful tools that contain a range of sensors e.g. light meter, colour meter, sound level meter, accelerometers, magnetometers, GPS and more… all of which can be used in science experiments. This is a workshop where you get to conduct experiments using your smartphone and have fun! There will be some spare smartphones on hand if you don’t have one.

Presenter: Penny Collins

Target Audience: Lab officers, Middle school (yr. 6-9) teachers, Primary school teachers, Senior school (yr. 10-12) teachers, Tertiary educators