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 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 Western Australian 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
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
PARWINDER KAUR
Associate Professor and Director, DNA Zoo Australia, The University of Western Australia
Dr Parwinder Kaur is an award-winning scientist, a passionate leader and positive role model as a mother, and a professor in science for the next generation of diverse scientists to pursue their passion for science and discovery. She leads cross-disciplinary biotechnology research investigating Earth’s biodiversity and natural environments to ensure sustainable futures. Through her diverse research teams, such as DNA Zoo Australia, she harnesses STEM to achieve maximised impact. In doing so, she believes this will help us tackle the bigger issues we as society are facing, bringing about solutions through fresh thinking rather than following usual norms.
Her noteworthy achievements include receiving the prestigious ‘Science and Innovation Award’ from the Australian Academy of Sciences in 2013, winning Microsoft’s AI for Earth award in 2019, being recognised as a finalist for WA Innovator of the Year in 2022, and earning the esteemed Australian Sikh Woman of the Year for Excellence in 2023. She has also been inducted into the WA Women Hall of Fame in 2023, is a Superstar of STEM, a winner of Women in Technology WA Tech+ Star in 2022, the recipient of the AmCham Alliance Award in Biotechnology in 2023, a finalist for Trend Setter of the Year, and an ambassador for GirlsXTech internationally.
DR KATHRYN ROSS
Astrophysicist
Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy
Dr Kat Ross is an astrophysics post-doctoral researcher using the novel technique of spectral variability to study active galactic nuclei and galaxy evolution. She has a PhD working with telescopes around Australia, in particular, using the Murchison Widefield Array, a radio telescope based in the remote outback of Western Australia.
She has worked extensively as a science communicator and activist for women in STEM including leading a national campaign, #IncludeHer, to correct high school courses to include a more diverse representation of scientists. Kat has also appeared as a host in the documentary “A Hidden Universe,” which aired on Channel 7 in 2022.
Kat is a proud bisexual and agender person and was diagnosed as an adult with ADHD. She is looking to help create safe spaces and welcoming environments for other LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse individuals in STEM.
TEACHER MINI-MASTER CLASSES
Hydrogen Grand Prix – Engaging Students with Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
Australian Earth Science Education
Design for Change
Frederick Irwin Anglican School
Esports in Education
SPACEJUMP
Upcycling textile waste
Peter Carnley Anglican Community School
After-school STEM Clubs – Traps, pitfalls and opportunities
Beaconsfield Primary School
Engaging ways of teaching coding and thinking
Grok Academy
Dive into the world of Micromelon Robotics and Mechatronics!
Micromelon Robotics
Good Design – from Creativity to Reality
National Committee of Engineering Design of Engineers Australia
DIGIDESIGN MINI-WORKSHOPS - Students and/or Teachers
Minecraft – Problem solving with STEM
Mark Atkinson
Peter Carnley Anglican Community School
Growing food in the future
Northam Senior High School
Virtual pet
Grok Academy
Engineering Rules!
Grovelands Primary School
Meteor Mapper: Collaborating Across Continents in Meteor Detection
Perth Observatory
Eco-Engineers: Innovating for Our Oceans
Harrisdale Primary School
Rocket Science Explorers: STEM Adventures in Space Launches
Australian Christian College-Darling Downs
Wind Turbine Challenge
Scitech
Drones: Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Al-Ameen College
Solving Challenges in Public Works Engineering
Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia WA
Digital Fabrication
Bev Wild
Peter Carnley Anglican Community School
Sumo Smackdown Robotics
Robogals Perth
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Dale Christian School
Cyber Live
Grok Academy
STEM Activities for High School Students
Gilmore College
How to develop a marketing campaign using AI
WA Data Science and Innovation Hub
AI Pets
Cultivating Curiosity
Fish for the Future
South Metro PEAC
STEM Expo hands-on activities area
The Martian Garden
ARC Centre of Excellence for Plants for Space
Drone Experience
Pakronics with Peter Carnley Anglican Community School students
Travelling Back in Time with WA Organic and Isotope Geochemistry Centre
Curtin University
Grok Academy
@ the STEM Expo
Inspiring STEM learning and engagement through Robotics Competition and community
Gosnells Robotics Clubs
STEM in Mining – how science, technology and engineering is useful in the real world
Roy Hill
Engineering in Action!
Engineering Institute of Technology
STEM Outreach Program
Australian Earth Science Education
Hands on Robotics with Micromelon
Micromelon Robotics
Unleashing Creativity and Innovation: A Hands-On Exploration of 3D Scanning and Printing
MARS Engineers
Australian STEM Video Game Challenge
Australian Council for Educational Research
Energy Efficiency – it’s not all black and white
Tronox
VR Stellar Safari: Journey to the Cosmic Frontier
Perth Observatory
CME Digital Technologies Program
The Chamber of Minerals & Energy of WA
SPACEJUMP Esports Experience
SPACEJUMP
Data Analysis & AI Technology
Elastik
Discover your future in construction
Construction Training Fund
Emerging Energies
Webuild
Be Digitally Future Ready!
South Metropolitan TAFE
PROBLEM SOLVERS DESIGN CHALLENGE
Building Buzz Design Challenge
Lily Kennedy
Bloom Centre for Youth Innovation
Refashioning the Future
Fibre Economy
Appropriate Houses by Adaptive Design
Curtin Engineers Without Borders
Prosthetic Leg
UWA Engineering Without Borders
Shaping how we extract minerals for the future
Peter Carnley Anglican Community School
Mars Mission Possible- remote operations in space!
AROSE, Engineers Australia & Bloom
Save the Egg Challenge
Engineering Institute of Technology
Using Lego to Prototype & Test the New Swan River Bridge
E2 Young Engineers Australia
Are we ready for the cyborg revolution?
Cultivating Curiosity
Problem Solving Wicked Global Sustainability Development Goals
North Harrisdale PS and Lumos Learning
The STEM Energy Game
Woodside Energy Ltd
Building Bridges
Clough Webuild Group
Air operated crane design
Engineering Institute of Technology
Li-ion battery recycling – material science problem solving in action!
South Metropolitan TAFE Engineering
Western Australia
Wednesday, 18 September 2024
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 – Associate Professor Parwinder Kaur
Director, DNA Zoo Australia, The University of Western Australia
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 + STEM Expo (Rotation 1)
- 40 min parallel mini-workshop sessions on specific STEM topic
- For teachers and students
- Demonstrate hands-on STEM activities for Year 4 to 10 students
- Presented by attending students / teachers / universities / sponsors / organisations
- STEM 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
12.25 PM
LUNCH
An opportunity to network with other teachers and students, and explore EXPO
1.00 PM
Keynote Speaker – Dr Kathryn Ross
Astrophysicist, Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy
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 + STEM Expo (Rotation 2)
- 40 min parallel mini-workshop sessions on specific STEM topic
- For teachers and students
- Demonstrate hands-on STEM activities for Year 4 to 10 students
- Presented by attending students / teachers / universities / sponsors / organisations
- STEM 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
Peter Carnley Anglican Community School
386 Wellard Rd
Wellard WA 6170
DATE Wednesday, 18 September 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
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
Thank you to our 2024 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: @SparkEDUConferences
Instagram: Spark.in.STEAM
LinkedIn: spark-educonferences
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