The conference theme: 'Curiosity, Creativity and Community – innovating together' will highlight how STEAM learning empowers curiosity, creativity and working together in communities to innovate and solve challenges
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 Digi-Design workshops and Problem Solver 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 the conference is for…
- Year 4 to 10 students: those who are already (or aspire to be) STEM Leaders in your school OR students’ schools wish to spark an interest in, and engagement in STEM
- Teachers: those who have little experience and those who have a lot, looking to be inspired, participate in hands-on professional learning and network with peers
- Heads of Learning Areas / Curriculum: who wish to connect and elevate their STEM discipline
- Principals and Deputy Principals: to witness what is possible by embedding STEM authentically in your school
- …and the event is a 6 hour Professional Learning day for teachers – certificate provided.
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.”
TEACHER MINI-MASTER CLASSES
Creating Impactful STEM Programs with a Digital Technologies Approach
Australian Computer Society
Threads of Connection
Peter Carnley Anglican Community School
Equipping students to be “Future Ready”
Gosnells Robotics Club Network
Building Global AI Literacy: Preparing Teachers for the Future of AI-Driven Classrooms
Day of AI Australia
Good Design – from Creativity to Reality
Cliff Green, National Committee of Engineering Design of Engineers Australia
From Curiosity to Classroom Innovation with VR
VRTY.io
Maths Made Meaningful
University of Adelaide – Maths in Schools Project
Mastering micro:bits: learn how to engage students in solving real-world problems
Curtin University
DIGIDESIGN MINI-WORKSHOPS - Students and/or Teachers
Orbital Lab
Perth Observatory
Mission to Mars
Gilmore College
VR Digital Storytelling
School of Isolated and Distance Education
Plastic Recycling in Action: From Waste to Useful Products
Peter Carnley Anglican Community School
Minecraft Eco Detectives
Perth Zoo
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Dale Christian School
Moving and Grooving with Granny: Creating digital solutions to help our elderly exercise
Australian Computer Society
Emergency response: Drone missions in flood zones
Al-Ameen College
The AI ate my homework!
Cultivating Curiosity
STEAM Expo hands-on activities area
STEM in Mining – How Science, Technology and Engineering Make a Difference!
Hancock Iron Ore
SailLAB – Australian Sailing STEM Education
Australian Sailing
Use It Up! STEAM Mystery Ingredient Challenge
OzHarvest Australia
Discover and Do: Maths Made Meaningful
CSER and University of Adelaide – Maths in Schools Project
STEM Outreach Program (AusEarthEd)
Australian Earth Science Education
The Martian Garden
ARC Centre of Excellence for Plants for Space
MagLev Technology
WeBuild
Melting Metal Mementos
Mark Baker, Assumption College Warwick QLD
IXL Maths Leaderboard Competition
IXL Learning
Using Machine Learning to solve real-world challenges
Perth College
STEM in the Nave
Submarine Recruiting Mentoring & Development team
Exploring STEAM with micro:bits
Curtin University
VR Stellar Safari: Journey to the Cosmic Frontier
Perth Observatory
CME DigiTech Automation Challenge
The Chamber of Minerals & Energy of WA
3D Designing and Technology
Gwynne Park Primary School
Drones – shaping the future
South Metropolitan TAFE
Showcasing VR curriculum projects
School of Isolated and Distance Education – Laverton RRTT
Drones to the rescue!
Al-Ameen College
DNA Extraction
The Australian STEM Project
Travelling Back in Time with WA Organic and Isotope Geochemistry Centre
Curtin University
PROBLEM SOLVERS DESIGN CHALLENGE
Designing an Ideal Waste Service
City of Kwinana
Moonbase – Designing to Survive and Thrive
ARC Centre of Excellence for Plants for Space
How can technology shape how we investigate the past?
John Curtin College of the Arts
Ethical Hacking – Improving Cybersecurity
South Metro TAFE
Building Buzz
Bloom: Centre for Youth Innovation
Are we leading the AI revolution or is it leading us?
Cultivating Curiosity
The STEM Energy Game
Woodside Energy
Solving Challenges in Public Works Engineering
Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia – WA
Using Lego to Prototype & Test the New Swan River Bridge
E2 Young Engineers Australia
Design Thinking: Rube Goldberg Machines
The Australian STEM Project
Formula CD Racing
Northam Senior High School
Where the wind blows!
Engineers Without Borders – Curtin Chapter
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
TUESDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2025
AGENDA
8.15 AM
SIGN-IN OPENS
8.45 AM
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Welcome to Participants, Set up for the Day, Housekeeping
9.00 AM
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
9.40 AM
ROTATION ONE – TEACHER ONLY PARALLEL SESSIONS
Teacher Mini-Masterclass
40 minutes
- Hands-on masterclass on STEM topic that will make a difference for teachers to enact in their school
Breakout Rooms
Pre-selection required
9.40 AM
ROTATION ONE – DIGIDESIGN MINI-WORKSHOPS + STEAM Expo
40 minute session
- Parallel mini-workshop sessions on specific STEM topic that link to the theme
- For Teachers and Students
- Demonstrate hands-on STEM activities for Year 4 to 10 students
- Presented by students / educators / universities / sponsors / organisations
- STEAM Expo: 10-15 min activity, moving between activities during the 40 minute session with the opportunity to engage in multiple STEM experiences
Breakout Rooms
Pre-selection required
10.25 AM
MORNING TEA
An opportunity to network with other teachers and students, and explore EXPO
11.00 AM
ROTATION TWO – PROBLEM SOLVERS DESIGN CHALLENGE
80 minutes – 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-selection required
11.00 AM
ROTATION TWO – Teacher Masterclass
80 minute session
- Hands-on masterclass on a STEM topic that will make a difference for teachers to enact in their school
Teacher Networking and STEM Pathways session
- An opportunity to connect with other teachers and presenters to share ideas, possibilities and practices
- Meet with 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-selection required
12.25 PM
LUNCH
An opportunity to network with other teachers and students, and explore EXPO
1.00 PM
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
1.40 PM
ROTATION THREE – TEACHER ONLY PARALLEL SESSIONS
Teacher Mini-Masterclass
40 minutes
- Hands-on masterclass on STEM topic that will make a difference for teachers to enact in their school
Breakout Rooms
Pre-selection required
1.40 PM
ROTATION THREE – DIGIDESIGN MINI-WORKSHOPS + STEAM Expo
40 minute session
- Parallel mini-workshop sessions on specific STEM topic that link to the theme
- For Teachers and Students
- Demonstrate hands-on STEM activities for Year 4 to 10 students
- Presented by students / educators / universities / sponsors / organisations
- STEAM Expo: 10-15 min activity, moving between activities during the 40 minute session with the opportunity to engage in multiple STEM experiences
Breakout Rooms
Pre-selection 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
Frederick Irwin Anglican School
36-66 Gordon Rd
Mandurah WA 6210
DATE Tuesday, 16 September 2025
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 Educator / Teacher $205
Teacher presenter: complimentary*
Full fee Educator / Teacher $245
Early bird Student $30
Student presenter: $27.50*
Full fee Student: $37.50
Early bird Pre-service, Aide, Homeschool educator $79
Full fee Pre-service, Aide, Homeschool educator $99
Includes Morning tea and Lunch for Educators and Students
Early bird registration ends Wednesday 13th August
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.
Western Australia It Takes a Spark STEM Conference
Sponsors and Partners
CREATE SPARKS IN LEARNING FOR TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS! BECOME A SPONSOR…
To discuss sponsorship contact Dr Adrian Bertolini – Conference coordinator
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: @SparkSTEMConference
Instagram: Spark.in.STEAM
LinkedIn: spark-educonferences
© 2025 Intuyu Consulting Pty Ltd