2024 SASTA Annual Conference

We are going paperless for the Annual Conference this year! You will be able to access your personalised workshop selections, room allocations, map and all other Conference information through our new Conference app! Find out all the information and download the app here. 

15 & 16 April 2024

Conference Theme: Our sense of Place

The 2024 SASTA Annual Conference is a celebration of the rich scientific heritage and innovation rooted in South Australia.

This conference aims to delve into the unique connection between people, land, and knowledge, exploring how this profound sense of place has shaped scientific discoveries and innovations.

By understanding and appreciating our sense of place, we can inspire future generations to be stewards of the land and innovators in science.

Keynote Speakers

Knowing Country and walking with First Nations to enrich Education

Tiahni Adamson, Lead Community Engagement Officer - CH4 Global, Young Australian of the Year (SA)

Tiahni Adamson is a Kaurareg woman and a passionate wildlife conservation biologist.

She is a proponent for the participation of First Nations people and women in STEM careers and was recognised as one of Science and Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM and an InDaily South Australian 40 Under 40 for 2023.

Tiahni has worked with the CSIRO on Indigenous education programs, trained under Al Gore as a Climate Reality Leader in 2019, works as a lecturer and tutor at the University of South Australia, is on the National Leadership Team for Seed Mob (Australia’s only First Nations led youth climate justice group), was a youth dialogue member for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and is currently improving sustainable aquaculture production in her role as the Lead Community Engagement Officer at CH4Global.

Tiahni has received the Dr Kay Price AM Award for demonstrated excellence in and ambassadorship for STEM, and was also one of two students to be awarded the inaugural Indigenous Time at Sea Scholarship from CSIRO’s Marine National Facility.

Tiahni was also announced as this year’s 2024 South Australian ‘Young Australian of the Year’.

South Australia’s Hydrogen Jobs Plan

Nicola McFarlane, Chief Operating Officer, Office of Hydrogen Power SA

The world is working toward a net-zero emissions future. A global shift to decarbonise energy depends upon clean, flexible and storable green fuels. With some of the most abundant wind and solar resources in the world, South Australia has a competitive edge to become a global leader in renewable hydrogen production.​ 

Igniting Learning: Embedding two-way learning and respect into your curriculum

Jayne Boase & Professor Delene Weber, University of South Australia

Join UniSA academics, Jayne Boase and Delene Weber to discuss how to effectively scaffold Aboriginal knowledges into your curriculum. Using the case study of a course “Fire and Culture”, and the perspectives of an Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal teacher, they will unpack some important learnings about why students really want to know more about Aboriginal culture; how to develop respect for two-way learning; build Aboriginal content into curriculum in a holistic manner; and how to address challenging issues such as unconscious bias. Importantly, they will share practical tips on how to make this fun, exciting and meaningful for students and teachers.

Cutting Edge Presentations

These presentations will cover a range of topics including:

• Indigenous Artefacts (Tools for Living)
• Understanding animal welfare
• STEM Problem Based Learning in partnership with industry
• Illuminating Possibilities: Precision optics research to improve healthcare
• The power of a connected community and reflective thinking in science education to improve work readiness
• Harnessing technology and visuo-spatial teaching for active-learning of health and medical science
• Mind-Bending Light

Workshop Sessions

There will be over 40 workshop sessions to choose from throughout the Conference for primary, middle and senior secondary teachers. Click here to see the extensive program of seminars, discussions, professional learning workshops and hands-on activities!

Sponsored by Credit Union SA, UniSA and anzuk education

Exhibitors