Get to know your Board Members: Sarah Finney
on 18/11/2024
Sarah Finney School / Organisation: Stirling East Primary School Current role: Teacher Year 5/6 What inspired you to become a science teacher? My driving passion for Science and my enjoyment for sharing the wonder. How many years have you been teaching? Close to 22 Why did you join the SASTA...
Growing an oyster reef restoration revolution in South Australia
on 11/11/2024
A lost part of the coast Most people are unaware that just 200 years ago, South Australia was home to some of the largest reef ecosystems on the continent. South Australia’s large gulfs and sheltered bays and estuaries were filled with enormous shellfish reefs formed by billions of oysters, mussels,...
Celebrating Dedication in Science Education: Jane Hosking’s 2024 Honour Award
on 04/11/2024
At SASTA, we honour the dedicated members who strengthen our community and contribute to quality science education. This year, we proudly recognise Jane Hosking, whose unwavering support for teachers and laboratory staff has earned her the 2024 Honour Award. Jane’s achievements are part of SASTA’s ongoing mission to foster excellence...
Honouring Innovation in Science Education: Jarrod Johnson’s 2024 Honour Award
on 28/10/2024
At SASTA, we are proud to celebrate individuals who inspire and innovate within the science education community. This year, we are thrilled to recognise Jarrod Johnson, whose commitment to engaging students with science has earned him the 2024 Honour Award. Jarrod’s dedication is part of a broader tradition of excellence...
Nurturing Nature: Coromandel Valley's Science Week in Action
on 25/10/2024
Update: 25 October 2024 National Science Week was expanded to 'Science Term' at Coromandel Valley Primary School. Check out the update photos they've sent through below. Year 2 Students designing signs - student artwork will be made into aluminium signage for the garden planted during National Science Week. Year 3/4...
Science Active School - Brighton Primary School
on 21/10/2024
Brighton Primary School became a Science Active School for their commitment and dedication to Science Education, and their involvement with and support of SASTA. Read about some of the ways they show they are a Science Active School. Brighton Primary School (BPS) is very proud to be a Science Active...
Eating Tomorrow
on 14/10/2024
“What will we be eating in the future?” This has been a question often put to our team and collaborators at Post Dining, ever since we started exploring themes of ‘future foods’ in our work. Post Dining is a creative production company working at the intersection of food, art, and...
Nutrition is a Science: Why Evidence-Based Nutrition Education Matters
on 07/10/2024
Our beliefs about food and nutrition are shaped by our culture, tradition, and personal experiences. And coupled with so much noise from diet trends, social media influencers, marketers, and even well-meaning friends and family, it is sometimes easy to forget that nutrition as a field of study is based on...
Get to know your board members!: Brent Banham
on 30/09/2024
What inspired you to become a science teacher? Science enriches lives. It is one of the best ways to appreciate all of creation and our place in it. Science is one pathway for a joyful life! On the flipside, scientific thinking is important in a society that is full of...
Celebrating Country Science Educators
on 23/09/2024
The SASTA community is shaped by the diverse and passionate educators who bring science to life for students across the state. Among them, our country teachers play a vital role, often facing unique challenges yet continuing to inspire curiosity and learning in their classrooms. We want to shine a spotlight...
Schools can help with Native Bee Conservation
on 16/09/2024
Dr Katja Hogendoorn, The University of Adelaide While climate change and declines in biodiversity are inevitable, and the lack of adequate action drives some of us to despair, we can all make small contributions to help mitigate some of the effects. Taken together, these small contributions have a positive impact...
From Ideas to Action: The Best Citizen Science Projects from the Oliphant Science Awards
on 09/09/2024
Citizen science involves public participation and collaboration in scientific research with the aim to increase and translate scientific knowledge. It’s a great way to harness community skills and passion to fuel our ability to understand how the world works and how to protect it. The Citizen Science category in the...
Nurturing Curiosity: What's New at the Nature Education Centre
on 02/09/2024
Staff News Belinda Sykes began with us at the beginning of Term 2, replacing Jenna Hoffman who is taking parenting leave. We have recently taken on 3 new staff on a casual basis who have experience in delivering talks and presentations which now gives us 5 staff who are able...
CSI – Curious science investigators discovering the wonders of science!
on 26/08/2024
St Francis of Assisi College (SFoAC) Year 8 students celebrated National Science Week 2024 on Wednesday 14 August with St Joseph’s School Renmark (SJSR) Year 3 students by igniting their curiosity and creativity. A morning of fun and hands-on science experiments was enjoyed by over 60 students who came together...
Bees, Hybrid Creatures, and Whale Snot: Science Week Fun at Redeemer
on 26/08/2024
Science Week is always a special celebration in our school. We run fun activities during lunchtimes throughout the week for the students to engage in, as well as during their Specialist STEM lessons. This year, our activities focused on the theme: Species Survival – More Than Just Sustainability, including some...
From Garden to Classroom: Building a Pollinators’ Paradise at Renmark Primary School
on 22/08/2024
With this year’s theme being Species Survival - More Than Just Sustainability, we chose to hold a whole school event dubbed, Pollinators’ Paradise! This occurred during students’ regular science lessons but was a break on our scheduled learning, with a focus on rejuvenating our school gardens and encouraging pollinating birds...
Get to know your board members!: Jarrod Johnson
on 19/08/2024
Jarrod Johnson School / Organisation: Pulteney Grammar School Current role: Science and Technologies teacher, Learning Designer What inspired you to become a science teacher? I love Science, talking to people and passing on what I know and my passion for Science to others. It seemed the logical progression to become...
Get to know your board members!: Liz Gehling
on 12/08/2024
Liz Gehling School / Organisation: Ardtornish Primary School Current role: Science Specialist Teacher What inspired you to become a science teacher? I was always interested in the world around me, so when I became a teacher it seemed like the natural step. How many years have you been teaching? 10...
2024 National Science Week Activities
on 08/08/2024
What do you have planned for National Science Week this year? Check out some of the great activities we've come across. Let us know what you have planned to feature on our National Science Week round-up blog! Plus don't forget to check out the National Science Week website for all...
Celebrating Our Science Leaders
on 29/07/2024
We wanted to highlight some of our science leaders and share their inspiring journeys. Read on to find out more! Jason Greenslade, Science Curriculum Leader, Westminster School What inspired you to become a science teacher? I love working with people, I also love seeing people grow and get better –...
Recognising some of our Science Educators
on 22/07/2024
We're sharing some of the achievements and journeys of our science educators. Read on to find out more, including their favourite science fact! Stefania Pulford, Thebarton Senior College What inspired you to become a science teacher? My love of learning, helping others and physical science is what inspired me to...
Celebrating Primary Years Science Teachers
on 15/07/2024
There are many teachers of science in Primary Schools, classroom teachers and science specialists. We asked a few primary teachers why they became teachers, what their day typically looks like and any advice they would give. Andrew Harris, Pilgrim School What inspired you to become a primary science teacher? Prior...
2024 SASTA Award Winners
08/07/2024
We heard from some our SASTA award winners about what inspires them as teachers. Miriam Doull, Mitcham Primary School - 2024 Credit Union SA / SASTA Outstanding Contribution to the Teaching of Science (Primary) What does it mean to you to win this award? I am very honoured, and I...
Reflections from Retired Science Educators
on 28/06/2024
Peter Walwyn Imagine walking into a classroom where the only AV equipment available was a blackboard and some white chalk, and the only method of producing printed notes for a class of 35 secondary school students was using a spirit duplicator. This was the scenario when I began my career...
Science Active School - St Peter's Girls' School
on 26/06/2024
St Peter's Girl's School became a Science Active School in 2024 for their commitment and dedication to Science Education, and their involvement with and support of SASTA. SASTA Members Participating in the Oliphant Science Awards Staff volunteering to judge in the Oliphant Science Awards Staff member attendance at the SASTA...