Science Education News (SEN) Journal 2018 Science Education News Volume 67 Number 2 | Page 25

ARTICLES Celebrating the Significance and Relevance of STEAM at the Australian Museum By Ashleigh Harrington As part of Sydney Science Festival, coinciding with National Science Week, the Australian Museum will once again be opening its doors to the next generation of innovators and change makers in August for the Science Festival, encouraging students to become actively engaged with the wonders of STEAM. Designed to address the declining interest in STEAM subjects and scientific literacy levels, the Festival will continue to encompass all STEAM areas, and provide an immersive learning experience in which visitors can realise its benefits through interactive and investigative activities. With a range of workshops, talks and cutting-edge science demonstrations at the forefront of contemporary science and innovation, the Science Festival caters for all curriculum needs, providing an excellent external educational resource for educators during National Science Week. The program approaches these subjects in an active and integrated learning space, allowing students and adults alike to find out about the latest innovators, career opportunities and research developments from leading sectors of the community. It creates an opportunity for students to realise the breadth of science and understand the relevance of this broad group of subjects to their everyday lives. As August fast approaches, educators and science communicators across Sydney are pulling together for a focused approach to National Science Week to engage and excite learners with the phenomena and innovations of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM). High school students view the microscopic wonders of science in the Science Festival Expo Primary school students learn all about frogs with Frog and Tadpole Society at the 2017 Science Festival 2018 will see a continuation of the Sydney Science Festival, with a collaboration with key science and educational institutions across the city aiming to provide interactive STEAM initiatives and experiences that the general public can engage with and enjoy. An integral part of the program this year will be the inclusion of sessions that highlight aspects of STEAM and assist in broadening students understanding of what it is and just how significant the contributions these subjects make to our lives. 25 SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 67 NO 2