REPORTS
STEM-X Academy
from the event established with direct links with STANSW and city
teachers.
STEM X Academy Regional Workshops are 2-day professional
learning programs for primary and secondary teachers of
science, developed in partnership between Questacon – The
National Science and Technology Centre, CSIRO and the
Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) to address the
national need for improving teachers and students STEM skills
and knowledge.
Completion of this course also contributed 2 hours of QTC
Registered professional development (addressing 7.4.2 and
6.2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers)
towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
Completion of this course contribute 2 hours of QTC Registered
professional development (addressing 7.4.2 and 6.2.2 from
the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers) towards
maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
In early November STANSW received an invitation to run a “Delving
into depth studies” twilight PL course at the completion of the
first day of the regional workshop. The STANSW treasurer Julie
Rogers attended the 2 day STEMX workshop and successfully
presented the twilight PL on 29 November to STEMX attendees
and presenters as well as a local STANSW member who attended
only the PL event.
Program Background
The new stage 6 science syllabuses are being implemented
in schools in 2018. In preparation of this, a number of network
meetings will be held in 2017 to build professional learning
groups to:
The Depth study program was already being successfully run as
a new initiative by the STANSW PL portfolio using the concept
of existing teacher networks and member hosts to deliver small
group professional learning in the suburbs and rural communities.
And the attendance at the Condobolin STEM X rural program by
a member of executive instead of a local presenter was seen
as a positive marketing opportunity by both the marketing and
branches portfolios of STANSW.
• Discuss the depth studies and how they can be programmed
into class time.
• Develop resources for conducting depth studies
• Collaborate with other teachers in order to share ideas about
possible depth study options
The outcome has been a positive one with a new councillor for
2018/19 coming from the Condobolin event, a network of teachers
Come along to a 2 hour twilight session, and learn more about
depth studies. Work with other professionals in the industry to
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SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 67 NO 1