Science Teachers ’ Association of New South Wales Inc .
Providing leadership and promoting excellence in science education
STEM X Academy Regional Workshops
A 2-day professional learning program for primary and secondary teachers of science , developed in partnership between Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre , CSIRO and the Australian Science Teachers Association ( ASTA ) to address the national need for improving teachers and students STEM skills and knowledge . In early November STANSW received an invitation to run a “ Delving into depth studies ” twilight PL course at the completion of the first day of the regional workshop . The STANSW treasurer Julie Rogers attended the 2 day STEMX workshop and successfully presented the twilight PL on 29 November to STEMX attendees and presenters as well as a local STANSW member who attended only the PL event . The Depth study program was already being successfully run as a new initiative by the STANSW PL portfolio using the concept of existing teacher networks and member hosts to deliver small group professional learning in the suburbs and rural communities . And the attendance at the Condobolin STEM X rural program by a member of executive instead of a local presenter was seen as a positive marketing opportunity by both the marketing and branches portfolios of STANSW . The outcome has been a positive one with a new councillor for 2018 / 19 coming from the Condobolin event , a network of teachers from the event established with direct links with STANSW and city teachers . Completion of this course also contributed 2 hours of QTC Registered professional development ( addressing 7.4.2 and 6.2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers ) towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW .
Diving Deep into Depths Studies Workshops
This program was run as a new initiative by the STANSW PL portfolio using the concept of existing teacher networks and member hosts to deliver small group professional learning in the suburbs and rural communities . Depth studies were a new concept in all senior science syllabi that were identified as a source of concern for STANSW members and thus the Diving into Depth Studies initiative was added to the PL portfolio ’ s program for 2017 / 18 . The course , a 2 hour twilight session , has been successfully run at 21 locations across NSW- 10 metropolitan schools and 11 rural or remote schools hosted the event . Completion of this course contributed 2 hours of QTC Registered professional development ( addressing 7.4.2 and 6.2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers ) towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW .
Program Background
• Teachers discussed the depth studies and how they can be programmed into class time .
• STANSW members were trained to deliver the same program across all schools in line with NESA requirements .
• At events teachers present developed shared resources for conducting depth studies by collaborating with other teachers in order to share ideas about possible depth study options .
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