2024 STEM Conference

10:40 AM

1 Hour

I believe the time taken to teach concepts with a focus on the understanding rather than students blindly following algorithms is time well spent. With this approach students will retain knowledge rather than lose it after ‘learning for the test’ and be able to build a more solid background in mathematics. Students experiencing this approach will naturally think to include their background knowledge and openly discuss problem solving approaches. In an environment where students’ ideas are valued, they develop mathematical language skills and their ability to logically discuss their reasoning. In this session I will demonstrate this style of teaching using middle school and senior school examples. Participants will be offered opportunities to present ideas.

Presenter: Deb Woodard-Knight

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 11–12), Mathematics (years 7–10)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

Implementing a comprehensive STEM education strategy presents many challenges, from limited funding and resources to navigating a crowded curriculum and identifying specialist teachers. Additionally, determining who will oversee such an initiative is often unclear. In this session, Joanne and Lana will share how they have collaborated over the past two years to establish a vibrant, STEM-rich environment at St Dominic’s Priory College, all while working within a limited budget. They will highlight innovative programs, community connections, and practical approaches that have successfully engaged girls in STEM learning.

Presenter: Joanne Villis and Lana Weller

Target Audience:

10:40 AM

1 Hour

The ASMS utilises an interdisciplinary curriculum across years 10 and 11. In semester 1 this year, one of these studies was named Dream, Design, Develop (DDD), which had a strong STEM focus, incorporating themes and assessment of Technology, Maths and Science, embedded in a framework that supported student agency in both their learning pathway and the evidence of learning (or EoL) they submit for assessment. In this session, we will share how we approached this, selected resources, our challenges and our success stories.

Presenter: Andy Stone and Kyran Zippel

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Design & technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years 11–12), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Mathematics (years 11–12), Mathematics (years 7–10), Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10)

10:40 AM

1 Hour

This session will encourage participants to experience the build, calibration and testing of a light sensor and a temperature sensor from cheap components. The sensors will be built around the Arduino microcontrollers. Participants will calibrate their sensors using everyday standards and the curve-fitting capabilities of a typical spreadsheet application. Participants will collect data using the sensors and use a variety of open-source tools to process the data in order to enrich citizen science-informed science investigations. A variety of Inquiry ideas for higher-order investigations in science, that evoke responses across all of the VCAA Command Terms will be shared with the participants.

Presenter: Colin Chapman

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Design & technologies (years 7–10), Mathematics (years 7–10), Science (years 7–10)

10:41 AM

30 Minutes

The Space Discovery Centre opened at Lot fourteen in March 2021, providing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, engagement and inspiration for young Australians. This workshop will present an investigation task for students in year 9 or 10 to explore and discover potential career paths in the space industry with contemporary real time resources including an excursion to the Space Discovery Centre. The workshop will include all task materials, included scaffolded supports and peer assessment material. Participants will hear more about learning opportunities provided by the Space Discovery Centre and have time for to engage with resources and links from the SDC and CSIRO about careers in the space industry.

Presenter: Kathy Coombs and Maddy Parks

Target Audience: Science (years 7–10)

10:41 AM

30 Minutes

This session will focus on Generative AI in the Primary Classroom, where we explore the transformative potential of AI tools to enhance both student learning and teacher resource development. This session will introduce practical ways to integrate AI into the primary classroom, empowering educators to create dynamic, personalised learning experiences that cater to diverse student needs. We will delve into how Generative AI can be utilised to develop interactive lesson plans, generate creative writing prompts, and design engaging activities that foster critical thinking and creativity among young learners. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to expand your toolkit, this session will provide valuable insights and hands-on strategies to effectively incorporate Generative AI into your teaching practice, ensuring a more innovative and efficient approach to education. Don’t miss this opportunity to harness the power of AI to enrich your classroom and elevate your teaching resources.

Presenter: Tom Jenkinson

Target Audience: Digital technologies (years r-6), , Science (years r-6)

10:41 AM

30 Minutes

At Mt Waverley Heights PS, the integration of Inquiry Learning had reached a plateau. To overcome this challenge, I was invited to inject some spark and share my Design Thinking experience. The students embarked on a project where they chose an endangered animal, studied it, and identified ways to help it. The results were astounding, especially considering the students involved were only in year 3! The depth of empathy these young learners demonstrated was remarkable, and with guidance, they mastered the art of brainstorming, generating an impressive array of ideas. This session will explore the transformative power of Design Thinking in primary education. Attendees will learn how to harness students’ natural empathy and creativity to solve real-world problems. Examples of student projects will be shared, including the use of AI to create educational books for year 1 students, entrepreneurial ventures like selling animal-shaped cookies, innovative applications of technology such as laser-cut model sanctuaries, and the development of fostering programs for animals like Wilbur the Wombat. Join us to discover practical strategies for invigorating your teaching practice and empowering your students to achieve extraordinary outcomes through Design Thinking.

Presenter: Teresa Janowski

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 7–10), Design & technologies (years r-6), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years r-6)

10:41 AM

30 Minutes

Adapting the 4 S conceptual framework system for effective teaching to teach & organise D & T in a primary classroom effectively. Strategies and teaching approaches.

Presenter: Larry Spry

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years r-6)

10:41 AM

30 Minutes

Jarrod Johnson’s Year 10 Forensics course takes a unique, student-driven approach to learning, blending open-ended tasks with problem-based investigations. Students explore fascinating topics such as human autopsy, ballistics, and blood spatter analysis, gaining experience in many areas. The course culminates in a challenging crime scene scenario where students apply everything they’ve learned to solve a simulated case. This innovative format allows students to choose topics that interest them while building core scientific skills, making it an engaging and personalised learning experience. Teachers will leave inspired to create flexible courses that enhance student choice and foster deeper learning.

Presenter: Jarrod Johnson

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Mathematics (years 7–10), Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10), Science (years r-6)

11:15 AM

30 Minutes

This workshop will showcase the learning of special needs students at Parafield Gardens High School through an integrated science unit investigating plastic pollution in our environment, culminating in the creation of a green wall using plastic waste. Participants will gain ideas and resources to use in their own classrooms while improving student knowledge of sustainability and scientific inquiry.

Presenter: Veronica Wiley

Target Audience: , Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10)

11:15 AM

30 Minutes

A VR experience showcasing the Great Southern Reef accompanied by a presentation discussing sustainability and conservation. Example of an incursion available for schools.

Presenter: Bailee

Target Audience: Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10), Science (years r-6)

11:15 AM

30 Minutes

Find out about the VEX Robotics platform for Years R-12, you'll get to see VEX 123,Go,IQ,EDR which are platforms specifically designed for different year levels. In this short 30 min presentation, I'll show examples of assignments we have done across our Junior, Middle and Senior schools and the free training resources used to up-skill our teachers. I'll discuss how we mapped our learning across subject areas incorporating robotics to enhance the disciplines of STEM.

Presenter: Emil Zankov

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Design & technologies (years 7–10), Design & technologies (years r-6), Digital technologies (years 11–12), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years r-6)

11:15 AM

30 Minutes

Where are all the women in STEM? Educators are increasingly concerned by the decline in female participation in STEM classrooms, making it a central topic of discussion within the teaching community. But are the existing programs and pedagogical approaches available really addressing the root causes of this issue? To truly close the gap, we must focus on equipping girls with the skills and confidence to confront and overcome the deeper, systemic barriers contributing to gender disparities in STEM. In this presentation, Maria Vieira will offer practical insights into how teachers can create classroom environments where girls feel safe and supported to take risks and engage meaningfully with STEM subjects. She will also share concrete examples, including a case study, and introduce free resources developed by her and her team of educational researchers at UniSA.

Presenter: Maria Vieira

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Design & technologies (years 7–10), Design & technologies (years r-6), Digital technologies (years 11–12), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years r-6), Food & textiles (years 7-12), Food & textiles (years r-6), Mathematics (years 11–12), Mathematics (years 7–10), Mathematics (years r-6), Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10), Science (years r-6)

11:15 AM

30 Minutes

In this session, Jarrod Johnson will explore the transformative potential of AI as a collaborative partner in the classroom. Drawing on his extensive experience and real-world applications, Jarrod will showcase strategies for using AI to enhance student research, scaffold learning tasks, review academic work, and provide personalised tutoring. The presentation will address the “Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and Artificial Intelligence” framework, but the primary focus will be on practical pedagogical approaches for educators. Attendees will gain insights on how to integrate AI seamlessly into teaching practices to foster student engagement and critical thinking, using AI as a collaborative partner. This session is ideal for educators looking to navigate the intersection of technology and pedagogy, equipping them with tools and techniques to support effective AI-student collaboration in diverse learning environments.

Presenter: Jarrod Johnson

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years r-6), Mathematics (years 7–10), Mathematics (years r-6), Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10), Science (years r-6)

11:50 AM

1 Hour

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) has a long history of use as a student-centred, highly engaging pedagogical teaching approach. Recent research focused on measuring student critical and creative thinking skills has demonstrated the positive effects of Problem-Based Learning on developing student skills. The use of an industry partner to provide a genuine, unsolved, complex, real-world problem for primary school students to investigate further increases the positive effects of helping students use and develop their critical and creative thinking skills. The Department for Education in South Australia has recently completed a successful pilot study investigating the feasibility of training primary school teachers in using PBL with industry partners. This workshop will describe the research background for the use of PBL with primary school students. The process of implementing PBL with an industry partner in primary school classrooms will be explained, and information will be provided on a limited program being run through the Department for Education 2025.

Presenter: Sue Gaardboe

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years r-6), Digital technologies (years r-6), Mathematics (years r-6), Science (years r-6)

11:50 AM

1 Hour

"Presentation: Practical processes and steps for scaffolding game design projects. Providing a series of LO-FI and AI planning processes to scaffold world creation stage of development. See examples from the presenter’s practice of these storyboarding processes in multi-platform storytelling. Consider how we can use the worlds in games to introduce concepts of ecosystems and systems thinking. Hackathon Challenge: Work together on paper to create big-picture ideas for units. These would be for non-specialist primary teachers to utilise the design cycle and try a maker space project. There will be a discussion about the realities of collaboration. This session brings together both digital technologies and design and technologies to address real-world dilemmas. Using game design and the optimism of solar punk to consider how to guide students in an engaging STEM project."

Presenter: Claire Bowmer

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 7–10), Design & technologies (years r-6), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years r-6), Science (years 7–10), Science (years r-6)

11:50 AM

1 Hour

The Australian Curriculum: Science V9.0 has intentionally introduced modelling in the inquiry strand to support real-world science and develop the core concept: mathematical thinking underpins science practices of representing objects and events, analysing data and modelling relationships. In this workshop, we will use metacognitive strategies to provide opportunities to present new concepts for deep understanding for students. Why do scientists use models? How students can create a model or representation of phenomena using data? How do scientists use models for predicting, such as climate change? How do we know if a model works?

Presenter: Katrina Elliott

Target Audience: Science (years 7–10), Science (years r-6)

11:50 AM

1 Hour

"In South Australia, we want to empower our children and young people with the dispositions, capabilities and knowledge they need to thrive in a constantly changing world. That’s why we’re adapting the R to 10 Australian Curriculum V9 to develop an SA curriculum for Public Education. We want to support meaningful and authentic teaching, learning, and assessment in our public schools. We aspire to develop a curriculum framework that reflects what students will be able to understand, do, and be as a result of their learning at school. This session will outline and explore the essential knowledge, capabilities and dispositions that form the SA Curriculum: Science."

Presenter: Denise Rule and Anthea Ponte

Target Audience: Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10), Science (years r-6)

11:50 AM

1 Hour

"The South Australian Department for Education (DfE) acknowledges the critical importance of developing effective mathematics learners who can navigate their modern world. To achieve these aims, DfE has partnered with the Center for Curriculum Redesign (CCR), based in Boston, USA, to undertake a four-year project known as the PRIMO Project. This project has involved 12 months of in-depth teacher professional learning of modern mathematics topics that align with explicit teachable competencies. Our teachers are now transforming their learning to produce student-facing Year 10 mathematics units that align with the newly developed South Australian Curriculum: Mathematics. The teachers involved in PRIMO will deliver these units to their students in 2025. Please join us to hear more about PRIMO."

Presenter: Vanessa Gorman and Mark Ward

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 7–10)

11:50 AM

1 Hour

Over the past eight years, Blackfriars has successfully implemented an integrated STEM program. Our journey has been both rewarding professionally and engaging for the students. We look back over the evolution of STEM at Blackfriars, what we have learned, how we have leveraged technology and some examples of our successful projects.

Presenter: Matthew Wallace and Duro Dobrijevic

Target Audience: Science (years 7–10)

11:50 AM

1 Hour

"Mozzie Monitors has engaged members of the public across Australia to participate in mosquito surveillance. This model of Citizen Science can play an important role in the environmental monitoring of biodiversity and health risks. The Mozzie Monitors in Schools project seeks to extend the existing Citizen Science activity into schools. The program has been improved to better support teachers in delivering mozzie monitors to their students. This session will provide: Activities and knowledge to facilitate student participation in citizen science Prepare and equip them for leading class mosquito trapping and identification in the Mozzie Monitors program Provide curriculum-linked educational resources for in-class activities Participation in citizen science is a great way of gaining hands-on experience in science and engaging with nature.

Presenter: Craig Williams & Debbie Devis

Target Audience: Science (years 7–10), Science (years r-6)

11:50 AM

1 Hour

"Adobe Illustrator has established itself as one of the best graphic software in the design world. Its ability to work with Raster and Vector formats has given it a broad scope in the industry. However, its wide range can also challenge users (old and new). The full training lasts two days and covers detailed topics on using Illustrator with the laser machine. This 60-minute session briefly introduces Illustrator and how to use it in the context of a laser cutting and engraving machine. The session will focus on developing templates and toolbars which are the foundational tools for generating laserable artwork without getting overwhelmed with the general uses and tools of Illustrator. Not understanding how to develop your own toolbars and templates is the main reason people shy away from using Illustrator in a classroom environment. By the end of this session, participants will learn the use of templates in a classroom environment, which is extremely helpful for students starting off with using Illustrator and will create one template and a basic toolbar to use with students."

Presenter: Angelo Benn

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Design & technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years 11–12), Digital technologies (years 7–10)

11:50 AM

1 Hour

In the dynamic landscape of education, integrating innovative Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is transforming STEM classrooms into immersive learning hubs. This workshop features a range of innovative XR technologies being used at HILLS in partnership with Uni SA, including a unique AI-Driven XR Avatar, which students and teachers can customise to elevate STEM education across primary and secondary levels. Participants will explore how these immersive technologies not only boost engagement but also enhance personalised learning, deepen conceptual understanding, and provide real-time feedback to students. This session will also explore how HILLS connects these technologies to biological sciences and nature education, demonstrating how XR can bring environmental studies to life. With hands-on demonstrations and interactive activities, educators will gain practical insights and strategies to effectively incorporate a range of tools, fostering engaging and dynamic learning environments.

Presenter: Colleen O'Rourke and Tim Gentle

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Design & technologies (years 7–10), Design & technologies (years r-6), Digital technologies (years 11–12), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years r-6)

11:50 AM

1 Hour

Students often bring negative perceptions of mathematics to the classroom, which can manifest as a reluctance to engage through feelings of mathematics anxiety. To address this, we have trialled introducing fun and interactive activities into university bridging mathematics classes, covering concepts similar to year 11 level, to enhance hands-on exploration and deepen conceptual understanding. Through a series of carefully designed activities, students engage in solving real-world problems that require the application of mathematical concepts and critical thinking skills. These tasks are structured to encourage collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving, with a focus on practical applications of mathematical theories. Examples include crime scene blood splatter investigation using Trigonometry, “Desk Hop Linear Match” for the students to learn different forms of linear functions; and using bags of lollies with different weights to demonstrate Weber’s Law. We will demonstrate these activities and report on how these have transformed our classrooms.

Presenter: Liwen Seto

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 11–12)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

Engaging primary students in growing food and fibre can provide fertile ground for connecting science, mathematics, technologies and engineering. This workshop looks at harnessing these interconnections through growing and automating a system to look after your plants using micro:bits.

Presenter: Karen Butler

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years r-6), Digital technologies (years r-6), Mathematics (years r-6), Science (years r-6)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

This workshop will be presented by members of the Archi Ed Committee - Architects and Teachers - and will provide an overview of how to integrate Architecture into the curriculum for meaningful STEAM experiences through approaches to design thinking, construction, building performance, energy efficiency and sustainability goals. Archi Ed is an initiative of the SA Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects. Our aim is to share our love of design and encourage an appreciation of architecture and the built environment in school students and the wider community. We facilitate architecture and design workshops and presentations that relate to a variety of key learning areas. Examples include a workshop on Regenerative Design as part of the Nature Festival targeted towards upper primary students and addressing ACARA cross-curriculum priorities and a co-designed unit of work on Biomimicry with Adelaide Botanic Gardens mapped to ACARA 9-10 Technologies and SACE Stage 1 Design, Technology and Engineering.

Presenter: Ella Camporeale, Westminster School, Brychan Asaris, Russell & Yelland Architects, Paul Cooksey, Northern Edge Studio, Ben de Bricassart, Das Studio, Valentina Baldizzone, DASH Architects, on behalf of ArchiEd

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Design & technologies (years 7–10), Design & technologies (years r-6)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

What will the world look like in the future? Chemical engineers play a pivotal role in producing our modern world and solving fundamental issues facing the planet today. Working across every industry to develop sustainable ways of manufacturing and production, chemical engineers are linking sectors together to help address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Join this workshop to enhance connections between STEM industry application and STEM classroom learning. During this session, you will be introduced to a range of resources suitable for primary and secondary classrooms. Showcased activities provide hands-on student experiences, develop critical and creative thinking, engage group work and collaboration skills, and inspire a deeper understanding of STEM study and career pathways. Build your collection of STEM resources and help your students find their path to solving the fundamental issues facing our planet.

Presenter: Michelle McLeod & Dr Diana Tran

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 7–10), Mathematics (years r-6), Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10), Science (years r-6)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

“Do maths in the real world” is the cry. It adds meaning, relevance, and challenge, they say. Sounds good in theory – but what if I don’t like excursions? Video is a great way of taking our students to interesting real-world places without leaving the classroom (and filling out a bunch of risk assessments). The rugby field, where a conversion kick is being attempted, is one such place. This workshop will share a video treatment of the “rugby kick” problem, a lovely piece of applied right-angled trigonometry and includes ‘teacher edition’ notes and all you need for a great lesson, or a nice little assessment task.

Presenter: Alastair Lupton

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 7–10)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

In this interactive workshop, we will showcase how you can bring STEM to life for middle school learners through hands-on project-based learning. Participants will explore how the developing South Australian Curriculum Science and Technologies can align with PBL, emphasising interconnected systems, design thinking, and real-world problem-solving. By working through a real-world project example, participants will gain insights into how the SA Curriculum fosters capabilities and dispositions, such as curiosity, reasoning with evidence and communicating with purpose. Science and technology teachers and leaders will leave with practical strategies for integrating the curriculum into their classrooms, supporting STEM pathways.

Presenter: Denise Rule and Steve Knipe

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Mathematics (years 7–10), Science (years 7–10)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

Are you curious about innovative approaches to maths assessment? In this workshop, we will explore how flexibility and student agency can transform Maths assessments, enabling students to authentically communicate their reasoning and conceptual understanding through oral tasks. We will consider the SACE requirements for Skills and Applications Tasks (SATs) and discover how oral SATs can satisfy these criteria while offering an engaging alternative to traditional assessment methods. Join us as we watch examples of past oral SATs, learn how to assess them effectively, and collaborate to brainstorm potential oral tasks that can be applied in your classroom.

Presenter: Bethany Barker

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 11–12), Mathematics (years 7–10)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

"Why do we care about STEM? Because STEM leads to a sustainable, healthy, and thriving world. Yet, students are feeling overwhelmed and anxious about their futures, and are unable to fully engage in STEM with agency and hope. This presentation explores Sustainability as a Cross-curriculum priority that contextualises world problems, and STEMS role in creating a sustainable future. By investigating the often-daunting world of systems thinking, future thinking, design thinking, and challenging worldviews, we can equip students with the tools to feel like they are agents of change."

Presenter: Deborah Devis

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Design & technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years 11–12), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Food & textiles (years 7-12), Mathematics (years 11–12), Mathematics (years 7–10), Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

This session is designed as an information session to help those considering transitioning from SACE Food & Hospitality to Design, Technology & Engineering’s - Material Solutions Food. It will cover aspects from course overview, assessment types and tasks, assignment weightings, templates and student work samples. Attendees will have the opportunity to develop perspectives around the opportunities of running Material Solutions Food as a SACE subject in their own schools and the potential advantages of doing so. Ideas such as student engagement, student-driven projects, autonomy in learning and innovative design solutions will be discussed. This presentation is designed to be engaging and collaborative with participants encouraged to ask questions and develop a professional conversation!

Presenter: Hester Van Der Leeuw

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Food & textiles (years 7-12)

1:50 PM

1 Hour

"“STEM is a science where you think with your hands” Are you looking for ways of embedding STEM activities into the Australian Curriculum? Are you looking for a way to revive and extend your existing science equipment? This workshop will use Vernier data loggers 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

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Design & technologies (years 7–10), Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10)

3:00 PM

1 Hour

Discover a transformative approach to STEM education with Minecraft Education, guided by STEM Coordinator and Minecraft Accredited Educator, Mr. Tucker. This immersive program engages students in challenges that build problem-solving resilience, cooperation, and creativity. Students undertake year-long projects that link business maths and civics through historical simulations, experiencing life as colonists or convicts as they journey from the streets of England to Sydney Cove. They learn to survive, trade, and collaborate, bringing history to life. This innovative initiative has earned awards from HUB Adelaide and Flinders University, as well as opportunities to pitch in prestigious venues across Silicon Valley and the South by Southwest festival. Join us to see how this program bridges the gap between digital migrants and digital natives, transforming the classroom into a dynamic space that fosters 21st-century skills in a fun and engaging way.

Presenter: David Tucker

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years r-6), Digital technologies (years r-6), Mathematics (years r-6), Science (years r-6)

3:00 PM

1 Hour

Across the world, access to digital technologies continues to transform the way we live, learn, work and communicate. Whilst digital devices and artificial intelligence (AI) have been around for decades, the exponential advancements in how devices work create ongoing change in the capability and complexity of AI available to all. There is no doubt that technology and AI have great potential to improve our world, but there is no guarantee they will do so. Ultimately it is understanding and responsible use that will determine ethical and sustainable usage. Join this session to explore newly available resources connected with computational thinking and responsible AI, including student activities, classroom presentations, teacher notes and curriculum mapping. These freely available resources use critical thinking, group work and problem-solving to enhance student knowledge, ethical understanding and problem-solving skills and support the incorporation of computational thinking and AI across STEM learning areas.

Presenter: Michelle McLeod

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 7–10), Design & technologies (years r-6), Mathematics (years 7–10), Mathematics (years r-6)

3:00 PM

1 Hour

"Questacon is more than a science centre. For over 35 years, It has been bringing rich science, technology, and innovation experiences to students and educators around Australia. Now, through a new network of regional leaders distributed across the country, we are working to make Questacon’s free STEM educator professional learning more accessible, inclusive, and relevant than ever. Join us to enjoy an interactive introduction to Questacon’s current suite of educator programs. We will share some of our favourite tools and ideas from our professional learning offerings, highlight exciting engagements coming up for South Australian educators, and discuss the aims and opportunities of the new Regional Leaders team."

Presenter: AJ Fairey and Lily Taylor

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Design & technologies (years 7–10), Design & technologies (years r-6), Digital technologies (years 11–12), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years r-6), Food & textiles (years 7-12), Food & textiles (years r-6), Mathematics (years 11–12), Mathematics (years 7–10), Mathematics (years r-6), Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10), Science (years r-6)

3:00 PM

1 Hour

More than ever before, students are engaging with screen content to learn, communicate and express themselves. Capture the Action (CTA) provides online interactive film and media arts courses for primary and middle school students. Our resources include a range of key creative and collaborative skills such as storytelling, planning, designing, filming, editing and group work. In this presentation, we will navigate the CTA website and reveal the engaging resources. We’ll offer practical skills and knowledge so that you can feel confident about including filmmaking and media arts projects in your programs.

Presenter: Jayne Kelly and Chloe Gardner

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Design & technologies (years 7–10), Design & technologies (years r-6), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years r-6)

3:00 PM

1 Hour

"This workshop will introduce educators to the use of virtual reality and podcasting to enhance learning. Participants will explore how virtual environments can simulate real-world applications, allowing students to work together in immersive settings to solve complex problems. Podcasting will be presented as an engaging medium for students to share perspectives, and express their understanding. This approach not only supports communication skills but also encourages cross-cultural exchange and collaboration, enhancing cultural awareness. The workshop will feature interactive sessions, during which participants will experience virtual environments in action and practice creating podcasts. Attendees will gain practical strategies for implementing these tools in classrooms and interdisciplinary contexts, with a focus on fostering positive student collaboration across diverse groups and building cultural competence. This workshop will be held in the IMVR Lab at Endeavour College (across the road from UniSA)."

Presenter: Catherine Barnes, Annicka Adolphi and Lucy Higgins

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 7–10), Digital technologies (years 7–10), Food & textiles (years 7-12), Mathematics (years 7–10), Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10)

3:00 PM

1 Hour

Astronomy can be regarded as a Gateway Science that inspires students and the public into STEM pathways. A strength is that it is a discipline in which real scientific data is freely and easily accessible, making it an ideal area for first-hand and second-hand student investigations. This workshop introduces participants to a range of Australian and international datasets, where to access and how to use them to engage and challenge students. Topics from exoplanets, pulsars and galaxy classification are explored, with key databases and science tools being identified. Participants will work through examples of some datasets and use online tools for data analysis that they can readily implement in their classrooms. Participants will need to bring a device to work on.

Presenter: Robert Hollow

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 7–10), Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10)

3:00 PM

1 Hour

"Don’t look up! The Earth is in trouble! An asteroid is heading towards us! Your mission is to be a Hidden figure, forming the calculations for our DART (Sphero) to prevent Armageddon. This requires you to have a knowledge of objects in space, their relative distances, scaling, meteorite composition, velocity, mass, density and force, to determine how Deep an Impact this meteorite will have and how we can prevent this Meteor from ending life as we know it. Ok, so pop culture references aside, this Interdisciplinary Unit run with Year 10 and 11 students at ASMS brings together the Science of Universal objects, Earth sciences, the Physics of motion and SHE, Maths in the forms of right-angled trigonometry and volume calculations of complex shapes, Digital technologies, implementing computational thinking, deconstruction and algorithm analyses through CAD simulations and basic coding and finally, English, analysing audience and purpose in the form of real vs artificial languages. Come and experience the impetus of rich, interdisciplinary learning."

Presenter: Sam Moyle

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 7–10), Mathematics (years 7–10), , Science (years 7–10)

3:00 PM

1 Hour

"Have you wanted a STEM activity that can safely explore the strength of materials as well as test the flexibility of a bridge design? In this STEM workshop, participants will use an integrated STEM approach to design, build, and test a bridge structure. Participants will first conduct a scientific investigation of bridge-building materials by gathering data using the Vernier Structures and Materials Tester (VSMT). The results of this test will then be incorporated into the design and building of a bridge. Bridges will be analysed using Vernier’s Bridge Competition Software. "

Presenter: Stuart Lewis

Target Audience: Design & technologies (years 11–12), Design & technologies (years 7–10), Science (years 11–12), Science (years 7–10)

3:00 PM

1 Hour

Just released - the next generation of Casio graphics calculators – the fx-1AU GRAPH, featuring all the same powerful functionality as the popular fx-CG50AU, accessed via an intuitive new user interface that results in less button pushing. The fx-1AU has been designed to make it even easier for students to pick up and use in your classrooms, as well as in high-stakes exams. Come along and be amongst the first to get your hands on an fx-1 (long before it starts appearing in schools) and be guided through the new interface, as well as find out more about this exciting evolution in classroom technology. With a limited number of pre-release handhelds available for this national premiere, numbers for the session will be capped, so register early!

Presenter: Alastair Lupton

Target Audience: Mathematics (years 11–12)