ContactNewsletter of the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.

Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.Patron: Prof Peter Rathjen B.Sc (Hons) D. Phil. (Oxon) ABN 59 004 145 329 • ISSN 0311-0605 Registered by Australia Post - Print Post Publication No. PP 342676/0050Member of Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA)

Vol 29 No 2 March 2014

Conferences and Events The STAV event calendar which includes all PD/conferences and science activities for the year is available on the STAV website: www.stav.org.au

Primary Science Teachers Workshop Series Dates: Focus on Chemistry - Monday 24 March Focus on forces - Monday 5 May Focus on sustainability - Monday 28 July Time: 4.30pm – 5.30pm Venue: STAV House, 5 Munro Street, Coburg See page 8 for full details and to register

Science Talent Search Online registration opens 3 March. Information on page 4 and on the STS website. October 27 is Exhibition and Presentation Day.

VCE Trial Exams 2014 You can access the form from our website. www.sciencevictoria.com.au/stavpublishing/trialExams.html

Labtech Conference 2014 Date: Friday 13 June 2014

ICT/STEM Conference 2014 Date: Friday 29 August 2014

STAVCON 2014 Date: Friday 28 November 2014 - 1 Day Only

Latest events >>For the latest events and conference information go to STAV’s website: www.stav.org.au

For information about science activities & competitions go to: www.stav.org.au

Contents

2 STAV contacts

3 President’s Report

4 STS Report

4 Science Drama Report

5 STS dates

5 STAV Membership

6 Conference information

12 STAV important dates

STAV is on Facebook

go to www.stav.org.au

Join STAV on Twitter

www.stav.org.au

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Newsletter of The Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.

STAV CouncilSoula BennettPresident Quantum Victoria president@stav.vic.edu.au

Joanna AlexanderVice President and Treasurer Vermont Secondary College alexander.joanna.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

Alexandra AbelaPenleigh and Essendon Grammar School Alexandra.Abela@pegs.vic.edu.au

Michael RosenbrockCommittee Secretary Wodonga Senior Secondary College rosenbrock.michael.a@edumail.vic.gov.au

Kathryn SobeyMelton Secondary College Sobey.Katherine.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

Yuvadee PatchonQuantum Victoria patchon.yuvadee.y@edumail.vic.gov.au

STS Co-DirectorsJosie CrisaraAitken Collegejcrisara@ozemail.com.au

Peter CraigMt Waverley Secondary Collegecra@mwsc.vic.edu.au

Leonie Lang Melbourne Graduate School of Education leonielang@optusnet.com.au

Anne-Marie WilliamsMethodist Ladies’ College williaa@mlc.vic.edu.au

Miranda McKellarLa Trobe University m.mckellar@latrobe.edu.au

Science Drama DirectorJan CampionePascoe Vale Girls College cam@pvgc.vic.edu.au

STAV Journal EditorsManaging Editor admin@stav.vic.edu.au

Barb Brook Let’s Find Out brookbl@optusnet.com.au

Psychology Sub-CommitteePosition Vacant

STAV Business CentreAnne HeardReceptionistPhone: 9385 3999stav@stav.vic.edu.au

Accounts Officer Phone: 9385 3908payments@stav.vic.edu.au

STAV PublishingPhone: 9385 3999admin@stav.vic.edu.au

Publications Phone: 9385 3903publications@stav.vic.edu.au

Annette McKennaAdministration Manager Phone: 9385 3904 admin@stav.vic.edu.au

Science VictoriaScience Victoria hosts professional development activities on behalf of the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc. (STAV)

STAV Contacts

Contact enquiries

?For enquiries about Contact newsletter including advertising opportunities please contact the STAV Publications Officer phone: (03) 9385 3903 or email: publications@stav.vic.edu.au

Contact newsletter is available online as a PDF. Please ensure a current email address is on file at STAV so you will receive your link to the newsletter.

Life MembersDavid CohenRod FawnsDick Gunstone

Gretta WilkinsonMark LearmonthDavid Trotter

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President’s Report2014 is well and truly underway, having completed our series of VCE Conferences and nearing the end of term 1!

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our colleague Judith Sise

from Lyndale Greens Primary School who was awarded the National winner of the BHP Billiton Science Teacher Award. Judith has been a long standing contributor to the STAV Science Talent Search Committee and has brought science to life not only to her students but has supported her colleagues and their students. Judith will be travelling to Los Angeles to attend this year’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Victoria also had the winning student entry in the ‘Investigations’ section of the BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards. Conroy Cheers’ project on ‘The effects of texting on driving safely’ has awarded him $4000 and entry into the prestigious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. We wish Conroy every success at the Fair.

Access to the student BHP Billiton Awards is through the STAV Science Talent Search and this year’s theme is: Food for our future: Science feeding the world

For further information on the STAV STS, dates, handbook etc. please visit the following website:

http://www.sciencevictoria.com.au/sts/index.html

Updates on all of the above will be posted via our social networks and on our website, so please make sure you follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

Upcoming Conferences/Workshops:

Primary Science Teachers Workshops, STAV House, 5 Munro Street Coburg 3058

These workshops are conducted after school and run from 4.40 pm – 5.30 pm and are directly targeted to Primary teachers.

Helen Silvester presents the following workshops:

Focus on Chemistry, Monday 24th March

Focus on Forces, Monday 5th May

Focus on sustainability, Monday 28th July

Registration form:

http://www.sciencevictoria.com.au/documents/PrimWorkshopflyer2014.pdf

Soula Bennett

STAV President

New MembersWelcome to the following new individual members of STAV:

Lauren Angley

Donna Athan

Tran Baines

Nathanael Capon

Shellie Cashmore

Natalie Cookson

David Coulter

Anastasia Courtney

Tania De Simone

Libby Dean

Luke Franklin

ElizabethFuller

Phillip Gibbs

Kirin Heard

Megan Hunter

Janet Ingle

Ashleigh Knight

Hanieh Langroodi

Caitlin Lewis

Jessica Louchard

Dianna Malloy

Rowen May

Suzanne Menezes

Tom Middlebrook

Monica Mitchell

Venita Morrison

Shae Nechwatal

Blaire Plowman

Ruth Rae

Ranjith Samandra

Jacob Sokolov

Christelle Upham

Elizabeth Wall

Peta White

Rachel Wilson

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Newsletter of The Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.

Science Talent Search Report STS handbooks for 2014 were mailed to STAV members and subscriber schools in early February. If you haven’t received a copy, contact the STAV office to be sent one. You can also get copies of the handbook

and other valuable information from the website www.sciencevictoria.com.au/sts

All entry is by online registration, which opened on March 3. If you want to use proformas to collect student and judge information before you enter the data we have provided a student form and a judge form on the website. Please ensure that you enter online data carefully. STAV doesn’t correct entries for you unless you pay a fee. Please also ensure that you enter your email address accurately, otherwise you won’t be able to re-enter the system and you won’t receive emails containing competition information.

Special congratulations to Conroy Cheers from Caulfield Grammar School, who is the National winner of the BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards in the Investigations category for 2014. Conroy won an STS major bursary in Intermediate Experimental Research in 2013 and so was eligible to enter the BHP Billiton competition. In addition to a prize of $4000, Conroy has the opportunity to participate in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona, USA in May 2014. A very exciting prospect for this young scientist.

Conroy will be accompanied by Judith Sise, from Lyndale Greens Primary School. Judith won the BHP Billiton Teacher Award for fostering student engagement in science through open investigations. As well as coordinating the STS entries in her school, Judith also coordinates the Primary and Lower Primary sections of Creative Writing for STS. A very worthy recipient of this award. The members of the STS committee offer their congratulations and are very proud of her achievements.

Of the other STS major bursary winners in Experimental Research who entered the Investigations category of the BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards, we had two finalists (Cynthia Sin Nga Lam and Somya Mehra, both from Balwyn High School) who each won $250 and 12 semi-finalists who each received $100. Very worthwhile additions to their STS bursaries.

In the new Engineering category, Benjamin Beagley from St Kevin’s College was a finalist and Matthew Burn and Matthew van Eck from Mazenod College were semi-finalists with their major bursary winning entries in Inventions.

The partnership between Science Talent Search and BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards, which enabled students who won major bursaries for Experimental Research or Inventions to enter their project into this prestigious competition will continue in 2014. Students who wish to enter the BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards will need to enter through STS. More information is on their website http://www.scienceawards.org.au

We look forward to another very successful year of STS.

Leonie Lang

STS Co-Director

Science Drama Awards Report

Key dates 2014

Wednesday April 23 Entry forms due

Tuesday April 29 Entry information kits sent upon receipt of entry forms

Monday August 4 DVD entries due

Sunday August 10 Preliminary Judging Day

Wednesday August 13 Finalists Kits sent

Friday September 5

Finals Performance & Awards Night

Venue: McMillan Hall, Canterbury Girls’ College, Mangarra Rd, Canterbury.

Competition details and forms will be available on the STAV website.

Jan CampioneDirectorScience Drama Awards

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Science Talent Search 20142014 Theme: Food for our future: Science feeding the world.

Exhibition and Presentation day: Monday 27 October

Check the Science Talent Search website for information about the competition www.sciencevictoria.com.au/sts

National Science WeekDate: 16 to 24 August 2014

Theme: Food for our future: Science feeding the world.

More information: www.scienceweek.net.au/

STAV Membership 2014STAV Individual Membership fees:Individual Primary $125 Individual Secondary $140 Individual both Primary/Secondary $175 Laboratory Technicians $105The subscription of a member ceases to be effective if payment is not received prior to or on the date of renewal, as a result, membership and all rights pertaining thereto will lapse. Upon payment of all arrears, membership will resume from the date of payment.

How to join STAVDownload a form from our website www.stav.org.au/html/membership.htmlYou can also join online from this site.Alternatively, contact the STAV office for more information: 03 9385 3999

Labtech listThe Labtech list has been set up by STAV as a discussion forum where Laboratory Technicians can exchange information, share ideas and seek advice.We ask science coordinators to encourage their Laboratory Technicians to become a member of Labtech and participate in the discussion group.It is free to join. Go to the Science Victoria website for more information: www.sciencevictoria.com.au/labtech.html

New MembersWelcome to the following new individual members of STAV:

Please see page 3 for New Members this month. Due to a record number of memberships.

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Newsletter of The Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.

For all conference/PD information including programs and online registration check the Science Victoria website approximately 6 – 8 weeks prior to each conference: www.sciencevictoria.com.au/conferences.html

Contact the STAV business centre: Phone: 9385 3999 or email: stav@stav.vic.edu.au

Labtech Conference 2014 – Friday 13 June at Quantum Victoria, rates TBA

STAV ICT/STEM Conference 2014 – Friday 29 August at Quantum Victoria, rates TBA

STAVCON 2014Date: Friday 28 November 2014 - 1 Day Only

Theme: TBA

Venue: La Trobe University, Bundoora

Primary Science Teachers Workshop Series 2014Dates: Focus on Chemistry - Monday 24 March

Focus on forces - Monday 5 May

Focus on sustainability - Monday 28 July

Term 4 TBC

Venue: STAV House, Munro St, Coburg

Presenter: Helen Silvester

Cost: $30 per workshop

to register: http://www.sciencevictoria.com.au/otherPD.html

Physics WorkshopsThese workshops are intended for teachers of years 5-10 science who wish to develop their own conceptual understanding; the concepts are presented at the level of year 9 – 11 students.

Newton’s Laws of Motion – 30 May 2014 14 November 2014Modelling Electricity –

27 June 2014

17 October 2014

More information and registration details at www.sciencevictoria.com.au/otherPD.html

Upcoming Conferences – dates & rates

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Offer valid for Refinance Home Loan applications received from 1 March to 30 April 2014 and must be funded by 31 July 2014. Offer only available to refinance home loans; it does not apply to switching existing Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank Home Loans. Loans in excess of 80% Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) will incur Lenders Mortgage Insurance. To be eligible for a Rewards Package you must have a Basic or Offset Home Loan and have your salary credited to your Mutual Bank account. A $300 p.a. Rewards Package fee applies. 1. Conditions apply. 2. Comparison rate calculated on a secured loan amount of $150,000 for a term of 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the example given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees and other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Fees and charges apply. Terms and Conditions available on request. 3. Applicants who decide not to proceed with the loan may incur establishment fees. 4. Offer valid for the first 40 refinance home loan applications that meet all the following criteria: received between 1 March and 30 April 2014; funded by 31 July 2014; minimum loan amount is $150,000. Interest rates correct as at 2 December 2013, check website for current rates. Victoria Teachers Limited, ABN 44 087 651 769, AFSL/Australian Credit Licence Number 240 960.

Refinancing is its own rewardRefinance between 1 March and 30 April 2014.n Highly competitive variable and fixed rates. n Only $150,000 minimum loan amount.n Owner occupied and investment property loans.n Deferred repayments for first three months.1

Call 9834 8450 or 1300 654 822.Visit victeach.com.au. Email refinance@victeach.com.au.

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Guiding, educating and developingour future engineers.

Wednesday 26th March 2014, 12.00pm - 5.00pmMelbourne Exhibition Centre

At this event you will:• Hear from 70+ Exhibitors from engineering, science & technological industries• Have fun and learn at our interactive workshops• Be inspired at the engineering presentations• Explore the world’s first University engineering maze• Understand the global world of engineering from leaders in the profession

For more information:Jessica Bradley - jbradley@engineersaustralia.org.auP: 03 9321 1722

REGISTER NOW: WWW.ENGINEERINGEXPO.ORG.AU

SUPPORTED BY

8 Contact • Vol 29 No 2 • March 2014

Newsletter of The Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.

Teaching science when you aren’t a scientist.How do you teach science when you don’t have the special science equipment or your knowledge is a bit rusty? This session is designed to take the worry out of teaching science in a primary setting. This inquiry based approach will give you the skills to teach students how to do experiments and think scientifically. All activities have been successfully trialled by a variety of primary teachers at different levels. You will be able to go into the classroom the very next day and start doing science.

To register go to http://www.sciencevictoria.com.au/otherPD.html

Time: 4.30pm – 5.30pm Venue: STAV House, 5 Munro Street, Coburg Presenter: Helen Silvester

Registration fee per workshop: $30 GST Incl. afternoon tea provided

Focus on Chemistry - Monday 24 March 2014

Chemistry is one of the four substrands of Science Understanding in the Australian Curriculum (and AusVELs). What are the essential principles of chemistry and how do you teach them across the school? By the end of this session teachers will have a series of demonstrations and experiments that they can take into the classroom the very next day.

Focus on forces - Monday 5 May 2014

Push, pull, contact, non-contact, force verses energy? How can teachers teach these in an inquiring way with limited resources? This session will go through a series of demonstrations and experiments using everyday equipment and giving teachers confidence to teach physics in the classroom.

Focus on sustainability - Monday 28 July 2014

What experiments can you use when teaching sustainability? This session will examine the difference between demonstration and experimentation in an inquiring classroom. Teachers will have the oppor-tunity to trial activities using everyday equipment easily obtained from a supermarket. No prior science knowledge is needed.

Term 4 TBC

Feedback from previous workshop held on 16 September 2013:

• Blown away – so enthusiastic.• Helen was excellent – really knew her stuff• Very hands-on, practical, used everyday resources and materials. Understands science is difficult.• I will be teaching science in a very different way from now on. Focus on vocabulary and slowing

everything down to explore everything from many different angles.

Primary Science Teachers Workshops

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> Supports Australian Curriculum Science

> 10 topics with 100 lessons

> Teacher & student modules

> Full teacher support materials

> Drives conceptual changes

> Builds critical thinking skills

1 PREDICT 2 INVESTIGATE 3 CONCLUDE

Transform misconceptions into understanding through inquiry- based exploration

NEW FOR2014

CONTACT US FOR TRIAL ACCESSContact: Linda Wright Email: bol@eb.com.au

Tel: 02 9915 8800 Website: edu.eb.com© 2014 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. | BRIT0206

DISCOVERY SCIENCE &

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VCE Trial exam papersSTAV Publishing produces VCE trial exams for:

Units 1 & 2 Units 3 & 4Physics PhysicsChemistry ChemistryBiology BiologyPsychology PsychologyCostsPapers $4.00; Solutions $2.00

Past Trial Exams are also available.How to orderDownload an order form from: www.sciencevictoria.com.au/stavpublishing/index.htmlorContact Annette McKenna STAV Publishing Phone: 03 9385 3999 Fax: 03 9386 6722 Email: admin@stav.vic.edu.au

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Newsletter of The Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.

An inquiry-based learning approach to sustainability is a series designed to assist primary students in formulating, researching and responding to important questions about their world. This series offers the following user-friendly model to step teachers through the important stages of problem- and inquiry-based learning:• Stimulate• Activateandcommunicate• Planandpredict• Investigate• Recordandreport• Connect• EvaluateUnit planning guides and templates help to embed the approach and will assist teachers in lesson planning and assessment. ActivateYourStudentsengagesstudentswithsustainabilitythemes:

Lower Primary Middle Primary Upper Primary

•Creaturesinthegarden•Acloselookatplants•Underwatercommunities

•Communitiesandfood•Communitiesandtransportation•Communitiesandtheirbuildings

•Sustainableenergy•Asustainablehomeenvironment•Sustainableagricultureforahealthierworld

Activate Your Students: An inquiry-based learning approach to sustainabilityA series of three books: Lower Primary, Middle Primary and Upper Primary

Author: Sharon RushtonPublisher: Curriculum Corporation

Description: 72 pp bookPrice per book:

Members/subscribers $31.95; Non-members $34.95

All books available from STAV Publishing www.stav.org.au

Brain Box Electronics kit for Primary and Lower Secondary This kit includes 188 ideas for constructing different circuits on a base board. These circuit boards can be activated by magnet, water, light, touch or sound and produce different kinds of reactions such as flashing bulbs, motorized fans, flying discs and various sound effects. Examples include a water activated doorbell, sound activated doorbell, magnetically activated motors, and electric fan.All components have snap fasteners which make assembly very easy and quick. All components are coded so that young children (and adults!) can easily follow construction diagrams.

Members/subscribers $38 (incl GST) Non-members $45 (incl GST)Postage and handling additional.

Need spare parts?Have you lost some pieces? Would you like to extend the capability of your current set? Spare parts for all components of the Brainbox are available. For a price list contact STAV Publishing, or check the website.

STAV PublishingPO Box 109, Coburg Vic 3058 • Fax: 03 9386 6722 • Ph: 03 9385 3999Email: admin@stav.vic.edu.au • Web: www.sciencevictoria.com.au/stavpublishing/index.html

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Beginning Science Teachers’ Handbook The handbook contains ideas, information and advice on how to cope whilst at the same time improving your teaching and professional performance. What does it cost?$25 incl. GST Members $35 incl. GST Non members plus Postage & handling $9.00The content includes:• Learning the Science Faculty Ropes• Classroom Management• Teaching Classes of Mixed Abilities/

Individual Differences• Engaging and Extending Students in your Science Class• Professional Conduct and Standards of Practice• Science Safety• Getting Involved with your Professional Association• Getting the Best out of Extension Education• Developing a Science Assessment Toolbox• eLearning and Science• Resources and Websites List.How to order:Fax a purchase order to: STAV Publishing Fax: 9386 6722 For Enquiries phone: 9385 3999

Concept cartoonsin science education

This is a 200 page blackline masters book consisting of science concept cartoons covering topics such as: • • ecology• • materials• • electricity and magnetism• • forces and motion• • light• • sound• • the Earth and beyond• • energy resources• • energy transferThe cartoons can be used at primary and secondary levels. They are supported by teacher notes which include concise explanations of each concept as well as suggested strategies on how to use them effectively. The materials can be copied for educational purposes by the purchaser.$80 (Inc. GST) STAV Individual members $92 (Inc. GST) School subscribers/Non-members Postage and handling $8.00

For enquiries contact: (03) 9385 3999 or email: admin@stav.vic.edu.au

Science Coordinators’ HandbookThis handbook contains ideas, strategies and information relevant to leading and managing your science faculty. Suitable for inexperienced, experienced and aspiring coordinators. Includes a CD-Rom containing useful templates, samples and other tools.

Cost$33 Members$44 Subscribers/non-members

For further information contact STAV Publishing Ph: (03) 9385 3999 or Email: admin@stav.vic.edu.au

Available from STAV Publishing www.stav.org.au

Endangered, Extinct and on the Brink introduces middle and upper primary students to the great problemsfacingourenvironmenttoday by examining extinction eventsthroughtime.Fifteen topics are covered, and each topic includes: • areproduciblestudentfactfilewithbackground information and illustrations to engage students.• ateacherinformationsheetcoveringkeyconcepts, cross-curricularlinksandamaterialslistplus instructions forguidingstudentsthroughtheactivity.• areproduciblestudentactivitysheetwithcreativeand funinvestigations. Studentsareencouragedto‘becomescientists’:ask questions, propose and test theories, design experiments anddevisetheirownsolutions.

Endangered, Extinct and on the Brink: Young

Scientists at Work Author: Andrew PlantPublisher: Curriculum CorporationDescription: 72 pp book Members/subscribers $31.95; Non-members $34.95

Contact STAVPhone: (03) 9385 3999 • Fax: (03) 9386 6722Email: stav@stav.vic.edu.au • Website: www.stav.org.auAddress: PO Box 109, Coburg VIC 3058 • 5 Munro Street Coburg, VIC 3058

Newsletter of the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.

Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc.

‘Advancing Science Education’

STAV Goals è Establish and maintain both financial and intellectual independence

è Represent the collective voice of science educators in Victoria

è Influence policy formulation in matters relating to Science Education

è Support and maintain regional special interest groups within STAV

è Provide a range of resources and services to support science educators

è Provide for and encourage student participation in a range of challenging science activities

è Promote the importance of Science Education to the community

è Recognise significant contributions by STAV members to Science Education.

Contact March 2014

STAV Council meeting dates

Meetings will be held at STAV House

January Monday 20 2014March Wednesday 5 2014May Wednesday 7 2014August Wednesday 13 2014October STAV AGM Thursday 30 2014

Contact DeadlinesMarch 18 February 2014April 18 March 2014May 29 April 2014June 20 May 2014July 24 June 2014August 22 July 2014September 26 August 2014October 16 September 2014November 21 October 2014December 25 November 2014