Most conferences currently being offered on STEM, STEAM and Entrepreneurship tend to be targeted towards teachers and involve a series of speakers and the occasional mini-workshops. This conference is designed to be different. This conference is designed by students and teachers for students and teachers.
The intent of the It Takes a Spark STEM Conference is to bring together Students (Year 4 to 10) and Teachers to connect with inspiring industry role models, share their current school based activities and projects using an authentic sharing and experiential model, create networks of teachers and student teams, and solve social justice design challenges.
The participation of the students is as important as teachers as our intent is to ignite, empower and nurture both to be leaders of STEM and Entrepreneurship within their schools. This is a conference designed and led by students and teachers for students and teachers.
Teachers will have both formal and informal opportunities to speak to other teachers who have enacted programs and activities in their schools and get their questions answered.
The workshops and social justice design challenges are all hands-on so students and teachers will experience first-hand what it is like to be part of great STEM and entrepreneurial learning. This will spark new ideas about curriculum and pedagogy.
Who Should Attend
- Students – those who are already (or aspire to be) STEAM Leaders in your school
- Teachers – those who have little experience and those who have a lot
- Heads of Learning Areas / Curriculum – who wish to discover how to plan as a team to break down the discipline silos of learning
- Principals and Deputy Principals – to witness what is possible by embedding STEAM authentically in your school
Teacher Professional Development Stream
“Many teachers and schools are challenged by HOW to create STEM learning that develops students across the years to be the independent critical thinkers and problem solvers the world needs.
We will bring together some of Australia’s leading practitioners in the fields of design, technology, curriculum planning, student engagement and STEM learning to develop a special Teacher Professional Development stream at this year’s QLD It Takes a Spark STEM Conference.
Every session is designed to provide teachers with the insight, practical guidance and resources they need to improve their planning and practice upon return to their schools. The professional learning will support teachers no matter their prior background, confidence, or capability.”
INTRODUCING THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
DR MEREDITH CASTLES
Associate Lecturer in ICT
Information and Communication Technology
University of Tasmania
Dr Meredith Castles is a university lecturer, Interaction Design Science researcher specialising in both Human and Animal-Computer Interaction, and a science communicator. She has worked extensively as an actor and writer in the TV, film, stage, and radio industries, speaking on panels and MCing events regularly Australia-wide.
Meredith uses her skills in interaction design science to help create digital interactive experiences for people in fields as diverse as archaeology and space science. She co-hosts and helps produce the 2023 Eureka Prizes award-winning STEM podcast That’s What I Call Science and solo hosts a live-streamed science communication show called Dr. Meredith on Twitch TV and YouTube twice weekly to teach people about science fundamentals through conversation and video gaming.
Her main research interest is in harnessing the power of Citizen Science and Human Computer Interaction to design more ethically focused and accessible technology for improving people’s lives. From her work in participatory science, Meredith created a new model for the sustainability of Women in ICT for Tasmania, aimed at retaining women by creating role models who can communicate to a diverse audience.
Dr Samantha Sawyer
Food Scientist
Superstar of STEM
University of Tasmania
Dr Samantha Sawyer is seeking solutions to keep Australian businesses globally competitive economically, socially, and environmentally. Whether that means helping industries be more resilient to climate change, finding ways to process food waste into great tasting and nutritious food, or improving production systems to be efficient and socially conscious. She received a 2022 Science & Innovation Award (Wine Australia) for her project helping the wine industry adapt to climate change.
Samantha is currently a Lecturer and Research Fellow in Food Science at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (University of Tasmania). She is passionate about STEM outreach and engagement in regional areas and mentoring students and junior staff members to discover and achieve their career aspirations.
ARE YOU A STEM SUPERSTAR?
The conference is an opportunity for Teachers, Students (Primary and Secondary), Industry, TAFEs, Universities, and STEM-based organisations to share their practice, in an authentic and practical environment.
The various ways you can showcase or share...
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DigiDesign: 40 minute hands-on STEM workshops for students (Year 4 to 10) and teachers that link to the theme of the conference.
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Problem Solver Sessions: 80 minute design challenges that lead students and teachers through the design process.
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STEM Expo: hands-on activities that will last 10-15 minutes during a 40 minute rotation where teachers and students will move around the Expo.
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Teacher Mini-Master Class: 40 and 80 minute hands-on masterclass on a STEM topic that will make a difference for teachers to enact in their schools (limited number of availability).
Agenda
8.15 AM
REGISTRATION, COFFEE/TEA & NETWORKING
8.45 AM
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Acknowledgement of Country, Welcome to Participants, Set up for the Day, Housekeeping
9.00 AM
Keynote Speaker – Dr Meredith Castles
Associate Lecturer in ICT, Information and Communication Technology, University of Tasmania
9.40 AM
TEACHER ORIENTED MINI-MASTER CLASSES (Rotation 1)
40 min Parallel sessions
- Hands-on masterclass on STEM topics that will make a difference for teachers to enact in their school
Breakout Rooms
Pre-registration required
9.40 AM
DIGIDESIGN MINI-WORKSHOPS + STEAM Expo (Rotation 1)
- 40 min parallel mini-workshop sessions on specific STEAM topic that link to the theme
- For teachers and students
- Demonstrate hands-on STEAM activities for Year 4 to 10 students
- Presented by attending students / teachers / universities / sponsors / organisations
- STEAM Expo: 10-15 min activity, moving between activities during the 40 minute session
Breakout Rooms
Pre-registration required
10.25 AM
MORNING TEA
An opportunity to network with other teachers and students, and explore EXPO
11.00 AM
PROBLEM SOLVERS DESIGN CHALLENGE
- 80 min session – parallel sessions aimed at Year 4 to 10 students and teachers
- This session involves real life design challenges where attendees are led through the design process to ideate and present possible solutions
Breakout Rooms
Pre-registration required
11.00 AM
TEACHER ONLY SESSIONS
- Teacher Masterclass – 80 minute session
- Hands-on masterclass on STEM topics that will make a difference for teachers to enact in their school
Breakout Rooms
Pre-registration required
11.00 AM
- Teacher Networking and STEM Pathways (80 minute session)
- Opportunity to connect with other teachers and presenters to share ideas, possibilities and practices then meet with STEM organisations/sponsors in the STEM Expo area to discuss (without students) how they can support you in delivering and inspiring STEM in your school.
Breakout Rooms
Pre-registration required
12.25 PM
LUNCH
An opportunity to network with other teachers and students, and explore EXPO
1.00 PM
Keynote Speaker – TBA
1.40 PM
TEACHER ORIENTED MINI-MASTER CLASSES (Rotation 2)
40 min Parallel sessions
- Hands-on masterclass on STEM topics that will make a difference for teachers to enact in their school
Breakout Rooms
Pre-registration required
1.40 PM
DIGIDESIGN MINI-WORKSHOPS + STEAM Expo (Rotation 2)
- 40 min parallel mini-workshop sessions on specific STEAM topic that link to the theme
- For teachers and students
- Demonstrate hands-on STEAM activities for Year 4 to 10 students
- Presented by attending students / teachers / universities / sponsors / organisations
- STEAM Expo: 10-15 min activity, moving between activities during the 40 minute session
Breakout Rooms
Pre-registration required
2.30 PM
FEEDBACK AND CONFERENCE COMPLETION
- Awarding of prizes to attendees
- Completion of feedback form
2.45 PM
CLOSE OF CONFERENCE
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
VENUE
Launceston Church Grammar School – Senior Campus
36 Button St
Mowbray TAS 7248
DATE Friday, 29 November 2024
TIME / AGENDA 8.15am open
8.45am start – 2.45pm finish
Read School FAQ’s – suggestions on who should attend, answers about what stage you are at and if the conference will suit, registration T&C’s, and more…
Teachers are able to attend without students
We recommend max 25 students per school with minimum teacher ratio of 1T:10S
CONFERENCE RATES
*Early bird Teacher $TBA
Full fee teacher $TBA
*Early bird Student $TBA
Full fee student $TBA
*Early bird Pre-service $TBA
Full fee pre-service $TBA
Inclusive of GST, Morning tea and Lunch
*book in by 30/10/2024
Upon registration you will receive a confirmation email and invoice, payment is via direct deposit or credit card. For full details click on the register button alternatively call Rachel on +61 (0) 411 270 277 to coordinate your registration or ask any questions. Workshop selection will open 3 to 4 weeks prior to the conference, we will email the registered teachers and contact person.
Tasmania It Takes a Spark STEM Conference
Sponsors and Partners
Thank you to our 2024 sponsors and partners
CREATE SPARKS IN LEARNING FOR TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS! BECOME A SPONSOR…
To discuss sponsorship of the Conference(s) contact Dr Adrian Bertolini – Conference coordinator
by email: adrian@spark-educonferences.com.au or call +61 0 413 036 382
GET IN TOUCH WITH US
Rachel Manneke-Jones
Registration & Bookings
Ph: 0411 270 277
E: rachel@spark-educonferences.com.au
Dr Adrian Bertolini
Conference Co-Ordinator
Ph: 0413 036 382
E: adrian@spark-educonferences.com.au
Stay Connected
Facebook: @SparkEDUConferences
Instagram: Spark.in.STEAM
LinkedIn: spark-educonferences
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