Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc. ‘Advancing Science Education’ Vision Is to develop a science community growing together through collaboration, professional learning supported by conferences, workshops and events, partnerships with industry and the wider community through STEM and other innovations. Mission To represent and advance the collective voice of science educators that will shape and influence policy in all aspects relating to science education. We are committed to offering a range of resources and services that will promote quality science teaching and learning. We provide opportunities for all students to become inspired, engaged and excel in activities that promote scientific literacy including: Science Talent Search, Science Drama and BHP Foundation Science and Engineering Awards. Let’s Find Out Volume 37 • Number 1 • 2020 Let’s Find Out is a quarterly journal of the Contents Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc., which was Page Article founded in 1943. Articles in this journal primarily cover 2 Editorials issues and discussions related Matthew Bliss and Mahaelia Thavarajah to the teaching and learning of science at Primary School level. 3 President’s viewpoint Managing Editor STAV Publishing Alexandra Abela Editors Matthew Bliss and 4 The STS 2019 Exhibition and Presentation Day Mahaelia Thavarajah Various Authors Published by Science Teachers’ Association 6 The STS 2019 section coordinator reports of Victoria Inc. Various Authors 5 Munro Street Coburg VIC 3058 21 STS 2019 student reports Telephone: 9385 3999 Various Authors Fax: 9386 6722 Website: www.stav.org.au ISSN 1835-5218 29 Cities of the future: Imagination the limit as students build STEM skills Design & layout STAV Publications Amy Macintyre Printed by 30 Real World STEM taking flight PMI Corporation P/L 400 George Street Jacinta Deylen, Santa Maria College, Northcote, Fitzroy Vic 3065 and Bridget Hosking, Airservices Australia Correspondence regarding this journal should be addressed to: 31 Resource Reviews Managing Editor STAV PO Box 109 Coburg VIC 3058 or email: [email protected] Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the contributors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Association. Every effort has been made to trace and acknowledge copyright but there may be instances where this has not been possible. STAV welcomes any information that will redress this situation. All enquiries regarding permission to reproduce articles in this journal should be made to the Managing Editor, STAV. © 2020 STAV Let’s Find Out Vol 37 • No. 1 • 2020 1 Editorials Matthew Bliss and Mahaelia Thavarajah It was such a pleasure to walk into Latrobe University on the day of the Science Talent Search Exhibition and Presentation day. The moment I walked in I was bombarded by what seemed like thousands of very proud students, their family’s and in some cases their teachers. Turns out that there were over 3200 students participating in 2019’s Science Talent Search. My eye was immediately captured the moment I walked in the door by some incredible photography, Posters and very intriguing essays that I itched to get my hands on and read. However, I could only glance at them as there was so much to see with very little time. It was great that the students were there to talk to. They were able to give me a snapshot of their projects and the learning they undertook. So many interesting and diverse topics falling under the overall theme of ‘Destination moon: more missions more science’ It was clear to me that this was the best way for a teacher to engage their students in science outside of the classroom and involve families in their students learning. For the most part the teachers provided the spark and the students independently (with the support of their families) carried it off and produced many amazing entries. There was a large array of different projects that I interacted with over the day. There were models and inventions, posters about living on the moon, board games I could see myself playing for hours, essays with catchy titles and so many more things. The talent was abound. It was amazing to see so many students curious about how things worked and the different ways in which they solved problems. I eagerly await 2020s Science Talent Search with its theme of ‘Deep Blue: innovations for the future of our oceans’ Thankyou to all who participated and supported 2019’s Science Talent Search 2 Let’s Find Out Vol 37 • No. 1 • 2020 President’s viewpoint Alexandra Abela, STAV President It is with pride and pleasure that I awards for inspirational students and teachers. Our present to you STAV’s first edition congratulations extend to all student and teacher of Lets Find Out for 2020. This entrants across Australia in 2020; in particular, Hazel edition celebrates excellence Glen College’s Matthew Story for winning Victoria’s in science education across a nomination as its Teacher Finalist. Matthew has a diversity of learning areas in rich history of exceptional service to the Science Science and STEM. Talent Search and also to Science teaching more You will notice in your readings, a broadly. It was wonderful to catch up with Matthew strong and intentional emphasis on scientific inquiry, at the awards ceremony in February; as was it to be project-based learning, practical work and science able to view the student finalist’s projects, which communication. Some of the learning experiences covered a wide range of topics, from bush medicines, are core to the classroom and school-based curricula; biomaterials and mobile technology, to robotic whilst others such as the Science Talent Search, prosthetics and agricultural land management. having their origins in primary and secondary school In summary, in each of the published articles, classrooms, but transcend traditional boundaries we are reminded of the critical importance of when student learnings and messages around the hands-on science and simple experimental work. importance of Science to everyday life, make their As teachers of science in the primary years, you way directly into homes and the wider community. would well understand the role that practical It was with pleasure that I attended the 2019 work plays in improving understanding and STS Exhibition and Presentation Day at LaTrobe developing cognitive and hands-on skills. But University on Monday 28 October. The 68th Science above all, I put to you that we value practical work Talent Search adopted the theme, ‘Destination and scientific enquiry because they are vehicles Moon: more missions, more science’. In 2019, STS through which our students are able to (1) engage attracted over $35,000 in bursaries and more than meaningfully, optimistically and authentically 3,200 student participants. On presentation day, in the learning of Science and STEM, and (2) it was inspiring to experience how this cohort become adept practitioners in the key skill areas of students had connected with science beyond of practical technique, measurement, observation, the classroom. The quality of the projects was data generation and analysis, and reasoning with outstanding. On the day 318 Major Bursary Awards, evidence. 567 Minor Bursary Awards and 657 Distinction Add to this the collaborative and creative power of Medallions were presented. In the articles to follow, problem-solving, and the scope to develop attributes you will sample some bursary winning entries. I and dispositions such as resilience, perseverance would like to congratulate all competing students and communication; we can be assured that as a and their passionate, dedicated teachers. A special community of practice, we are building our students’ thank-you must go to the STS Management and STS capacities to manage change, sometimes stochastic, Committees, and to all the judges, sponsors and and thrive in the 21st Century. parents who supported this competition in 2019. Practical work, hands-on enquiry and scientific A side remark but a topical and important one, is reasoning must be found at the heart of any Science that processes have been put in place to migrate and STEM curriculum because the ‘experiment’, no to online judging processes across all categories, matter how large or small, gives science its identity effective immediately. I encourage you to continue and purpose. In uncertain times, there is cause for to complete your registrations, as the opportunities optimism and affirmation of the critical, complex, and support for learning both within and beyond sophisticated role we play as teachers of science. I the Science classroom are readily available and the recommend to you this ‘bumper’ edition of LFO and quality is exemplary. trust that you will be inspired by what is contained STS is also one potential pathway to the BHP within. Foundation Science and Engineering Awards My best wishes to you for the holiday break and for (BHPFSEA). The BHPFSEA and Indigenous STEM your return to the classroom in Term Two. Awards represent a partnership between ASTA, Alexandra Abela the CSIRO and the BHP Foundation, and are STAV President widely regarded as the pinnacle of school science Let’s Find Out Vol 37 • No. 1 • 2020 3 2019 STS Exhibition and Presentation Day The 68th Science Talent Search by schools or Friday July 26 for Jewish schools. Teams Leonie Lang of volunteer judges (mostly teachers) completed all judging. The students talked about the science they The date was Monday 28th October, 2019 and the had discovered in their research while completing location La Trobe University Union Hall. Over 1000 their individual or group projects. They clearly students, parents, teacher and guests were gathering demonstrated their knowledge and passion about for the 68th Science Talent Search (STS) Exhibition their open-ended activities. For country students, and Presentation Day. all entries were entered online for judging, with a Professor Shaun Collin, Head of the School of Life short video attached of the students explaining their Sciences, La Trobe University, gave the official project.