Science Education News (SEN) Journal 2018 Science Education News Volume 67 Number 1 | Page 16

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 16 SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 67 NO 1