Reflections of the STEM-X Academy For 2018( continued)
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Reflections of the STEM-X Academy For 2018( continued)
Heading to Geoscience Australia felt like coming home. My undergraduate studies were in geology, so I was a kid in a candy store. The kind staff there gave us another activity that would slot straight into my year seven units on Earth Science. The exercise entailed walking outside to a massive grid with a heap of rock samples on it. We then had to walk around and plot those samples on our maps, then colour them in( I remember this from geology!) and then put our detective hats on and work out which geological event happened first and put them all in sequence. After being let loose in the teaching resources section of GA, we then had to figure out how to get all this home. Excess baggage is a tax deduction, surely? I now have to find all the rock samples within my local area and see if I can run it myself. I’ m so glad that geological maps are published online these days.
all the excellent, hands-on science on display. For me, Questacon is a fantastic place that both stays the same and is brand new, all at the same time. Old favourites such as the lightning generator and the air hockey robot are always there, but I love seeing what’ s new in each gallery. I am proud to report that after many, many years of trying, I beat that robot at air hockey one goal to nil.
As a secondary teacher, STEM-X gave me so much. It gave me a significant number of excellent activities that enlivened my programs. It gave me a fantastic amount of professional conversations that have led to some amazing networking opportunities. I’ m off next weekend to visit one of the other alumni to work on some STEM programs. It gave me contacts in schools across the country and within organisations that are dedicated to STEM education.
The amazing EOS facility on Mount Stromlo. A real treat for a star-nut like me.
It was a day for socks. This is what happens when people get let loose in a science-themed gift shop. I’ m glad I was holding the camera.
Another highlight was dinner at Questacon, followed by Q By Night. Questacon had closed for the night to the public, and we were allowed to wander throughout the facility, being inspired by
Most of all, it gave me the confidence to step up and share my passion for STEM with my school, the area and the country and for that, I will be forever thankful!
The panorama from the front of the EOS facility on Mount Stromlo.
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