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) STEM 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 STEM 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 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 ADELLE GOODWIN
Astrophysicist and Superstar of STEM,
International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research
Curtin University
Dr Adelle Goodwin is an astrophysicist at the International Centre for Radio Research. Her career pathway was forged by a love of reading, understanding why things behave the way they do, and a deep curiosity about space (like do black holes really devour everything in their path?).
When you look up at the night sky, there are billions of stars twinkling, but, what happens when these stars die? Adelle’s research looks at the objects we don’t see: the dense remnants of dead stars called black holes and neutron stars.
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 – 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
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 – Dr Adelle Goodwin
Astrophysicist, Superstar of STEM, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, Curtin University
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
*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 16/08/2024
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.
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 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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