Reflections of the STEM-X Academy For 2018 ( continued )
ARTICLES
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 .
42 SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 67 NO 1