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Conference Programme *update 27/05*

The conference theme will highlight how STEM learning and application focuses on developing future ready skills (communication, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, community) leading to people being lifelong thinkers and problem solvers.

The It Takes a Spark! STEM Conference is UNIQUE as teachers and students learn together. The day is an inspiring and engaging programme designed for Year 4 to 10 students, and Teachers and Education Leaders.

The brightest educators, students and key organisations who are passionate about STEAM will share their ideas, programs, and innovations that demonstrate STEAM learning in action and develop people to be thinkers and problem solvers.

Why attend…

Hear from experts in the STEM field
Engage in innovative, hands-on STEM learning alongside your students
Discover the latest developments, innovations, tips and tools in STEM from experts and practitioners.
See live demonstrations and receive resources, tools and tips to implement back in the classroom
Network and collaborate with other schools, educators and industry experts and get insight into their STEM activities and programs
Earn professional development hours

Who the conference is for…

Year 4 to 10 students: those who are already (or aspire to be) STEM Leaders in your school OR those you wish to spark an interest 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 elevate the teaching of future ready skills and disciplines
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 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”.

Participation in the It Takes a Spark STEM Conference meets self-identified PD in the following AITSL Professional Standards for Teachers (certificate provided):

Standard 2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area
Standard 2.2 Content selection and organisation
Standard 3.3 Use teaching strategies
Standard 3.4 Select and use resources
Standard 6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice
Standard 7.4 Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities

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Introducing the Keynote Speakers

The work of an optimisation engineer is a bit like 4D chess, it takes strategy, creative problem solving, and people management. Applied to natural resources, like mining and energy, this chess is on a massive scale and sometimes involves taking a helicopter to get to your desk!

With an early love of making and designing, Kathryn is a Chemical Engineer and Mathematician who has forged a career in natural resources. A born problem solver with a passion for thinking big, Kathryn has been involved in multi-million-dollar energy and mining projects, helped improve operations at sites around the world, and is passionate about developing natural resources responsibly as we move toward a cleaner energy future.

Kathryn is passionate about supporting STEM, leads a statewide group of women working in sustainability, is a director of an environmental science education centre and advises museums on aspects of engineering. She is a Fellow of Engineers Australia and has commenced a PhD into the history of women in engineering, uncovering the wives, secretaries, inventors and trailblazing first graduates who were the inspirational early engineers.

Kathryn is a neurodivergent single mum to two girls and an international marathon runner, the coolest of which was in Antarctica.

KATHRYN LAURENTIS

OPTIMISATION ENGINEER AND SUPERSTAR OF STEM, UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

The landscapes we see today were shaped by billions of years of geological events. The rocks under your feet hold clues about ancient volcanoes, shifting continents, and huge forces that have changed Earth over time. To really understand our planet, we need to understand these long‑term processes and how they created the land we live on and the resources we use. Most importantly, we need this understanding to find the critical metals and materials needed to meet humanity's greatest challenge, climate change.

Dr Helen McFarlane is a geologist who studies rocks and landscapes across Australia and around the world. She looks at where different rocks appear on the surface and what their shapes look like deep below the ground. She combines information about minerals, rock chemistry, and geophysical data — which shows things like density and magnetism — to spot signs of ancient geological structures and faults that might contain valuable metals that are needed for the energy transition.

Helen earned her PhD in Geology from Monash University in Australia and the University of Toulouse in France. She is the Chair of Geoconferences, an organisation that promotes earth science education. She now leads the Multidimensional Geoscience group at CSIRO’s Discovery Program.

DR HELEN MCFARLANE

GEOLOGIST AND SUPERSTAR OF STEM, CSIRO

The Agenda
Thursday, 24th September 2026

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 to 10.25 AM

ROTATION ONE – TEACHER ONLY PARALLEL SESSIONS

Teacher Masterclass
45 minute session

Preselected parallel sessions

Hands-on masterclass on a STEM topic that will make a difference for teachers to enact in their school
Presented by STEM educators / universities / sponsors / organisations

Breakout rooms
Preselection required

9.40 to 10.25 AM

ROTATION ONE – DIGIDESIGN MINI-WORKSHOPS + STEAM Expo
45 minute session

Preselected parallel sessions

DigiDesign mini-workshops for Teachers and Year 4 to 10 students on a specific STEAM topic
or STEAM EXPO 10-15 min activity, moving between activities during the 40 minute session
- Opportunity to engage in multiple STEAM experiences
Presented by STEAM students / educators / universities / sponsors / organisations

Breakout rooms
Preselection required

10.30 AM

MORNING TEA
An opportunity to network with other teachers and students, and explore EXPO

11.05 AM to 12.15 PM

ROTATION TWO – PROBLEM SOLVERS DESIGN CHALLENGE
70 minute session

Preselected 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
Presented by STEAM students / educators / universities / sponsors / organisations

Breakout rooms
Preselection required

11.05 AM to 12.15 PM

ROTATION TWO – TEACHER ONLY PARALLEL SESSIONS

Teacher Masterclass
70 minute session

Preselected parallel sessions

Hands-on masterclass on a STEM topic that will make a difference for teachers to enact in their school
Presented by STEM educators / universities / sponsors / organisations

Breakout rooms
Preselection required

12.20 PM

LUNCH

A light lunch included for students, teachers and presenters.
An opportunity to network with other teachers and students.

12.55 PM

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Breakout rooms
Preselection required

1.35 to 2.20 PM

ROTATION THREE – TEACHER ONLY PARALLEL SESSIONS

Teacher Masterclass
45 minute session

Preselected parallel sessions

Hands-on masterclass on a STEM topic that will make a difference for teachers to enact in their school
Presented by STEM educators / universities / sponsors / organisations

Breakout rooms
Preselection required

1.35 to 2.20 PM

ROTATION THREE – DIGIDESIGN MINI-WORKSHOPS + STEAM Expo
45 minute session

Preselected parallel sessions

DigiDesign mini-workshops for Teachers and Year 4 to 10 students on a specific STEAM topic
or STEAM EXPO 10-15 min activity, moving between activities during the 40 minute session
- Opportunity to engage in multiple STEM experiences
Presented by STEAM students / educators / universities / sponsors / organisations

Breakout rooms
Preselection required

2.30 PM

WHERE TO NEXT, FEEDBACK AND CLOSE OF CONFERENCE

Completion of feedback form
Invitation to be on the 2027 Steering Committee

2.45 PM

END OF CONFERENCE

VENUE
Frederick Irwin Anglican School
36-66 Gordon Rd
Mandurah WA 6210

DATE Thursday, 24 September 2026

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

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Sponsors and Partners

Major Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Spark Scholarship

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

Sponsorship Opportunities

The conference theme will highlight how STEM learning and application focuses on developing future ready skills (communication, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, community) leading to people being lifelong thinkers and problem solvers.

The It Takes a Spark! STEM Conference is UNIQUE as teachers and students learn together. The day is an inspiring and engaging programme designed for Year 4 to 10 students, and Teachers and Education Leaders.

The brightest educators, students and key organisations who are passionate about STEAM will share their ideas, programs, and innovations that demonstrate STEAM learning in action and develop people to be thinkers and problem solvers.

Why attend…

Who the conference is for…

Teacher Professional Development Stream