2022 STEM Conference (Years 6 to 11)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

Disciplines - There exists a significant overlap between the Science and Humanities curricula around plate tectonics, landforms and natural disasters. To remove the content repetition and gain a deeper understanding, Science and Humanities have partnered to develop an interdisciplinary STEM-based project around the topic of natural disasters. The project worked to develop student engagement, reduce cognitive load and promote team teaching approaches. Reflection – The project worked to promote students to actively reflect on their approaches. Learning is engaged when students understand their thinking processes and can self-direct their learning and problem-solving. Earthquakes – Students were placed in a challenging, open-ended environment to explore an authentic problem around earthquakes and natural disasters. Through an experiential and inquiry-based learning environment, students created an earthquake-resistant building fit for purpose and the landscape of their chosen location.

Presenter: Oliwia Derda & Natasha Williams

Organisation: St Columba College

Target Audience: Science (years 6–9)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

Without mathematics there is no STEM. Some teachers have been heard to say that mathematics is not essential to teaching science. We dispel the absolute darkness of such thinking via hands on and other activities to demonstrate the primacy of mathematics in Science, in technology and in Engineering.

Presenter: Neil Davis

Organisation: MASA

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

Your first years of teaching will be a whirlwind of trying to get things right, you will, or already do feel that you are being run off your feet with planning and marking. This session will provide you with a variety of ideas for assessment for learning that will take minimal time and effort, but have maximum outcomes for you and your students. I will show you ways to use websites, the Microsoft Suite, and student work to inform future teaching without eating into your planning time, marking time, or personal time.

Presenter: Danielle Lockwood

Organisation: Westminster School

Target Audience: Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world” Wittgenstien How far is the vocabulary gap an issue in your classroom? What is already working in your classroom? In this workshop we will look at a couple of Alex Quigley’s 7 steps in closing the vocabulary gap. Step 2 Teach academic vocabulary explicitly and clearly, with coherent planning throughout the science curriculum. Step 6 Foster ‘word consciousness’ in our students (e.g. sharing the etymology and morphology of words) We will look at some strategies to further enhance teaching and learning of science to address the vocabulary gap and some literacy techniques to improve students’ reading and writing in science.

Organisation: SA Department for Education

Target Audience: Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

This live session will go through the inexpensive requirements to use student owned laptops to modernise the analysis of sound wave structure and harmonics to measure the speed of sound through air columns and vibrating wires with high precision. Ideally suited as a yr 10 or 11 STEM investigative practical to replace old fasion techniques.

Presenter: Paul Gavini

Organisation: Modbury High School

Target Audience: Science (years 10–11)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

"Do your own research" is a very common phrase that you find especially across all forms of social media. People are encouraged not to believe everything they read, but to "do their own research". But what does this really mean? How do you do research? What do you need to do research? How can you be sure, some research is 'true', or 'better' than the other? This workshop will explore, how research, especially in science is typically conducted. We will look at different approaches towards research, limitations to research, as well as criteria to differentiate between trustworthy and questionable research. The session will be hands-on and should be easily transferrable into a classroom.

Presenter: Ingo Koeper

Organisation: Flinders University

Target Audience: Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

Join Anna Beinke, Leader of Learning - Mathematics, at Thomas More College, as she shares how she uses misconceptions and explicit teaching to foster engagement and a love of Mathematics within the junior secondary Mathematics program at the College. Drawing on insights from the ‘Thinking Classroom’, and using the new Edrolo Year 7 Maths resource, Anna works with students to build conceptual foundations, scaffold learning and get students engaged and achieving. Anna will walk through a sample unit, demonstrating the achievement strategies and activities that are the basis for each lesson. Anna will also share examples of cross-curriculum integration, using models to support learning, and ideas for differentiation. Anna will be assisted in this session by Ashley Evans from Edrolo, who was a deputy principal and teacher for many years before joining Edrolo.

Presenter: Anna Beinke & Ashley Evans

Organisation: Thomas More College & Edrolo

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 6–9)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

Learn how to used the ISHIKAWA method for problem solving. In a hands on workshop experience how to problems solve as a student and walk away with resources and experience on how to run your own workshop.

Presenter: Teresa Janowski

Organisation: Stem Fasttrack

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 10–11), Design & technologies (years 6–9), Digital technologies (years 10–11), Digital technologies (years 6–9), Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

Environmental pressures and sustainability are global issues but effective and engaging, authentic learning in the classroom needs to be linked to local issues relevant to student’s lives. In addition, these topics should be supported across multiple subjects in order for students to grasp the importance. Digital learning platforms, such as Education Perfect, have a huge role to play in sustainability education from delivering content, creating community and capturing the student voice, but they need to be able to make links from global to local and across the curriculum while allowing students choice and agency in delivering their response to an issue. Join us to see how Education Perfect’s Sustainable Oceans cross-curricular unit can be used as an example to engage and challenge students and increase their awareness and understanding of these important topics.

Presenter: John Davison

Organisation: Education Perfect

Target Audience: Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

Welcome to a scientific expedition like no other – over 550 million years in the making. Long before the deadly dinosaurs, luscious land plants and feisty fish – to a time when the only life on Earth were soft bodied creatures living on the seabed. Welcome to the time of Ediacaran. Today we will present a teaching resource which will transport you and your students back to when our mighty Flinders Ranges were submerged under sea water. Join us on a journey back to the very dawn of life itself.

Presenter: Trevor Stephenson & Sonya Arnold

Organisation: Seymour College & Department for Education

Target Audience: Science (years 6–9)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

Can mathematics help us to explain why it is advantageous for Emperor penguins to huddle? In the midst of winter, when temperatures can drop below - 40 degrees Celsius, Emperor penguins raise their young. One of the behaviours they exhibit that enables them to be successful is huddling together. Why and how does this relate to issues we face here in Australia? This session investigates surface area to volume ratio. Can we show mathematically the advantage of huddling together?

Presenter: Helen Booth

Organisation: MASA

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

The world is currently facing a climate crisis and STEM careers are at the centre of the solution. SACE Earth and Environmental Science (EES) allows students to explore new sustainable solutions when using Earth’s resources. It also increases their awareness of the interconnectedness of Earth through the four spheres; biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and atmosphere. These spheres are significantly impacted by human activity and require STEM to find solutions to ensure the balance on Earth is maintained. The external assessment for SACE EES is a long term field study which teaches students conceptual thinking and skills required in STEM careers tackling the climate crisis.

Presenter: Kelly Sharrad

Organisation: Geoscience Pathways Project

Target Audience: Science (years 10–11)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

Astronomy is a discipline in which real scientific data is freely and easily accessible. This makes it an ideal area for both first hand and second hand student investigations with the potential to undertake engaging and exciting projects. We explore local and international examples of where to access and how to use data to engage and challenge students. Topics from exoplanets, pulsars and galaxy classification are explored and key databases and citizen science tools identified and examined. The possibilities for open-ended student investigations and citizen science are discussed. Upcoming projects and data challenges are highlighted.

Presenter: Robert Hollow

Organisation: CSIRO

Target Audience: Digital technologies (years 10–11), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

How can you use games to model and simulate real science concepts? See how it can be done by playing a serious game about sustainability, used in ASMS’s Sustainable Futures course that can apply to middle school science. Playing games to teach complex concepts can increase participation, engagement, make the abstract and complex more understandable, and make real world links for relevant science teaching. Get ready for a session of serious game play!

Presenter: Campbell Harvey & Dr Alix Verdon

Organisation: ASMS

Target Audience: Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

Writing new and original maths questions for tests can be time consuming. The questions need to be difficult enough to meet ACARA and SACE expectations, but not so difficult that it disadvantages your students. This is just one of the many factors that needs to be taken into consideration. Learn what it takes to become a competent question writer in this session. The focus will be on ACARA maths years 7-10.

Presenter: John Absolon

Organisation: Trial Exams

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11)

11:45 AM

'The more complex the world becomes, the more creative we need to be to meet its challenges' (Sir Ken Robinson 2011). Through its multidisciplinary approach, STEAM Learning has the potential to ignite young people's interest and engagement with authentic, relevant, and deep learning experiences. But in an age of 'digital natives' who are rarely more than a few clicks away from answers, how can we help them to reclaim the art of asking great questions? 'Intentional Curiosity' - the art and science of inquiry through observation, questioning, and illustration (Laws 2013), has the potential to unlock learners' interest and connection with the natural world. In this workshop we will explore how intentional curiosity and 'focused awareness' can be harnessed to support learners' Ocean Literacy and other 21st Century Fluencies.

Presenter: James Tilly

Organisation: Ocean Literacy Support Inc.

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 10–11), Design & technologies (years 6–9), Digital technologies (years 10–11), Digital technologies (years 6–9), Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

11:45 AM

1 Hour

Models and modelling are central to each of the STEM disciplines. Come along to connect your classroom teaching with the STEM outreach opportunities facilitated by the University of Adelaide's Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. Explore how these activities and resources: model emerging STEM applications; integrate models within design and build challenges; and conceptualise links between research and curriculum. Join this session to review available resources, suggest new ideas, explore research examples, network with academics, and trial activities. Showcased resources include curriculum connected teaching and learning materials, workshop examples, and equipment available for loan.

Presenter: Michelle McLeod

Organisation: The University of Adelaide (STEM Teacher in Residence)

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 10–11), Design & technologies (years 6–9), Digital technologies (years 10–11), Digital technologies (years 6–9), Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11), The session is designed to provide opportunity across all STEM subject disciplines., Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

Providing authentic mathematics connection to the real world is vital to develop rich understandings of mathematical applications and capabilities to solve problems. A strong connection between the Science Understanding sub-strand, Earth and Space Sciences and Mathematics strand, Measurement and Geometry, particularly Pythagoras and trigonometry can be made using the freely available Planetarium software -Stellarium. Join us to see how students can use high school mathematics to determine the size of the Earth, the relative distance of the Moon and Sun, the distance from Earth to the Sun, the distance to nearby and faraway stars, and more, in this interdisciplinary STEM unit. This workshop will enable participants to experience our ‘Trigonometry challenges’ assessment task of the Earth and Cosmos Module at ASMS for year 10 learners.

Presenter: Jules Potiki

Organisation: ASMS

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

Multiplicative thinking has been identified as one of the most important and also most difficult mathematical concepts for learners to develop. The numeracy team at Thebarton Senior College have found that students in the senior years often have gaps in their knowledge of multiplicative thinking, making the learning required, much more difficult. To assist students in their numeracy learning, a school wide numeracy program has been implemented using Scaffolding Numeracy in the Middle Years (SNMY), in our senior classes. In this workshop, Mike Jones and Stefania Pulford will discuss the journey TSC has undertaken in implementing this program. They will also gives attendees an opportunity to practice some of the activities used in this intervention.

Presenter: Stefania Pulford & Mike Jones

Organisation: Thebarton Senior College

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

STEM as an educational initiative has grown in importance during the last decade. Despite students completing more formal education than their parents, many struggle to find relevant and consistent employment. We need to equip students with the skills and knowledge for future jobs but also for jobs with a future. STEM literacy should relate both to objectives of national economic growth and the development of the individual students in terms of acquiring knowledge, attitudes, and skills to identify real-world problems through an understanding of the specific features of STEM subjects. Models and modelling can increase relevance and authenticity in STEM education. These processes bridge the gap between STEM disciplines and promote the transfer of knowledge and skills between contexts, both in and out of STEM disciplines. In this workshop use student-centred, hands-on approaches to model STEM pedagogies. Problem-based learning approaches will draw attention to the importance of STEM careers, disciplines, and the impact of STEM on society.

Presenter: Claire Hughes

Organisation: RiAus

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 6–9), ~ 1-1.5hr session if possible this will allow participants to try the activity being described., Science (years 6–9)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

Hands on activity programming Arduino to collect and report sensor data for data logging in science or the authentic collection of data in the digital technologies' curriculum. Participants must install the Arduino IDE prior to the event via "https://www.arduino.cc/en/software" (tutorials on YouTube exist regarding the installation) and a FULLY charged laptop.

Presenter: Paul Gavini

Organisation: Modbury High School

Target Audience: Digital technologies (years 10–11), Digital technologies (years 6–9), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

The key element of STEM is form and functional design in a problem solving context. If you are looking for ways to engage your students in real world problem solving that incorporates design and testing regimes in an integrated cross-curricular approach, then this workshop is for you. The workshop challenges participants to design and test a device to prevent the fracturing of an egg when dropped. This will involve a functional engineering design, principles of science supported by data (Mathematics) to provide a solution (Technology). Don’t worry about the mess! We will clean it up if your design doesn’t “work”.

Presenter: Stuart Lewis

Organisation: Scientrific

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 10–11), Design & technologies (years 6–9), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

Find out how to get students physically involved in STEM education by using body-based learning approaches to develop understanding (and be prepared to try these yourself). Body-based learning models have been found to assist children’s’ grasp of the abstract concepts that often exist within science and mathematics. From lesson hooks and prior knowledge learning experiences to models that help explain abstract concepts, this workshop will give you time to try a variety of creative body-based learning strategies to get your learners out of their seats and engaged in the learning.

Presenter: Jennifer Chalmers

Organisation: University of South Australia

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

Studying motion is an excellent opportunity for students to use science learning to strengthen numeracy skills and Mathematical understanding. At ASMS we have posed the problem “How can we land astronauts back on Earth safely?” for Year 10 and Year 11 students to deconstruct and investigate. This workshop will explore how integrating the Science and Mathematics learning, with a focus on students creating both scientific and mathematical models, has strengthened learning in both areas. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore how, in either a science or mathematics classroom, opportunities for Science modelling and Mathematical modelling can be combined to provide opportunities to engage students in authentic learning, support differentiation and develop numeracy capabilities while still addressing the required learning outcomes.

Presenter: Dr Alix Verdon & Dr Matthew Verdon

Organisation: ASMS

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

The NASA sponsored GLOBE Program is an international science and education program which promotes learning about the local and global environments through hands-on activities. Models are particularly useful in the study of environmental systems. Scientists use models to examine the fundamental behaviour of a system, such as how carbon is stored in a forest. By knowing more about the system through modelling and understanding where knowledge is incomplete, scientists can generate hypotheses to guide future research. In this session participants will engage with the GLOBE Program, the hands-on activities and classroom activities which are available to both registered and non-registered GLOBE users. We’ll look at how ground-based data collection can be used by scientists to help in our understanding of the global environment. And using an interactive Biomass Accumulation Model how temperature and precipitation may affect biomass accumulation and carbon storage. Please bring a laptop or tablet to the session enabled for internet access.

Presenter: Bill Flynn

Organisation: CSIRO Education and Outreach

Target Audience: Digital technologies (years 6–9), Mathematics (years 6–9), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

2:55 PM

1 Hour

The Australian Science and Mathematics School has developed an interdisciplinary STEM course titled “Engineering a Monster?” This teaching program highlights some essential components of both ACARA and SACE science, maths, history and English curriculum that allows teachers to develop effective and engaging lessons that model hands-on STEM skills. Our workshop will support teachers to develop creative strategies to integrate inquiry and critical and creative thinking into the teaching of multiple disciplines at that same time, including science, engineering, maths, history and English. “Engineering a Monster?” uses a Collaborative Inquiry template, Engineering Maths Challenges, a History Museum template, and an Intertextual Analysis framework that builds student capacity to construct their own learning.

Presenter: Tisha Beasley & Kyran Zippel

Organisation: ASMS

Target Audience: Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

2:55 PM

1 Hour

In this workshop we will look at using First Nations games to model data and promote authentic conversations about First Nations cultures and histories in the mathematics classroom. Presenters Rebecca Garrett (Trinity College) and Desiree Gilbert (AISSA) will discuss the Interface of Mathematics with First Nations Culture and Histories professional learning project and the benefits of the Goompi model for all students.

Presenter: Rebecca Garrett & Desiree Gilbert

Organisation: Trinity College & AISSA

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11), PE

2:55 PM

1 Hour

Differentiation is critical to meaningful task design for the modern student. We will discuss different ways to differentiate both practicals and assignments in Science so that the range of learners can access tasks. Focus will be on AC Year 7-10 in Science.

Presenter: Jason Greenslade

Organisation: Westminster School

Target Audience: Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

2:55 PM

1 Hour

We plan to offer the 555 million year old Ediacaran fossils of South Australia's Flinders Ranges as a means to communicate parts of the South Australian science curriculum in the areas of; Bioloigcal science and, Earth and Space sciences for the years 6-11. These fossils will be an important component in the UNESCO World Heritage nomination of the Flinders Ranges.

Presenter: Tory Botha

Organisation: University of Adelaide

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 6–9), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

2:55 PM

1 Hour

Are you looking for ways of authentically assessing mathematics and numeracy across subject areas? Assessment of numeracy and mathematics learning requires high quality evidence of learning, provided by students, and ideally in an authentic manner which rewards complex thinking and transfer. We discuss some methods of students presenting such evidence such as portfolios and oral conversations, the value to students and the learning program, and some of the implementation challenges and opportunities.

Presenter: Dr Matthew Verdon

Organisation: ASMS

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11), Science (years 10–11)

2:55 PM

1 Hour

“STEM is science where you think with your hands” Are you looking for ways of imbedding STEM activities into the Australian Curriculum? Are you looking for a way to revive and extend your existing science equipment. This workshop explores STEM activities using Vernier Dataloggers. With a Hands-on task, and support from our presenter, participants will use dataloggers to explore different STEM experiments. Topics will include: • A reimagining of the classic Egg Drop experiment to include data and tie it to the Curriculum; • Using Vernier probes with Arduino and Scratch; • A look at how to build the Microsoft robotic hand challenge;

Presenter: Stuart Lewis

Organisation: Scientrific

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 10–11), Design & technologies (years 6–9), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

2:55 PM

1 Hour

The enterprising skills required to be life-long learners, such as creativity, critical thinking and problem solving, are an integral part of STEM education. Students require a broad skill set to adopt and adapt into careers that do not yet exist, solve problems that have not yet arisen and innovate in ways currently unimaginable. One of these crucial skills is digital literacy, however, its place in the Australian Curriculum is vague and often left to teacher choice and interpretation. In this workshop, I will discuss how digital technologies are framed in the latest version of the curriculum and the impact this is likely to have on teaching and learning in science and mathematics. Examples of digital technologies for classroom use will be modelled and time will be given to reflect on your integration of technology in your classrooms.

Presenter: Jennifer Chalmers

Organisation: University of South Australia

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)

2:55 PM

1 Hour

Even after years of living with this fashionable acronym, there is confusion about the function of the T and the E in STEM, and the implications that has for designing STEM tasks. We'll look at how to ensure that Technology and Engineering are covered (along with Science and Maths) when planning STEM activities.

Presenter: Alistair Knight

Organisation: Thomas More College

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 10–11), Design & technologies (years 6–9), Digital technologies (years 10–11), Digital technologies (years 6–9), Mathematics (years 6–9), Mathematics (yr 10-11), Science (years 10–11), Science (years 6–9)