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Copyright 2012-2013 Science Teachers’ Association of Queensland (STAQ). This journal may be downloaded for personal use by STAQ Members only. Any other use requires prior permis- sion of STAQ. The Queensland Science Teacher Astronomy Lights Up the Tropics in 2012 Adam Hooper On the Nature of Science Peter Ellerton Careers in Science - With an Agricultural Flavour Neal Menzies I’d tapp that: iPad biology app reviews Harry Kanasa Discovering Density Charlotte Pezaro Volume 38 Issue 3 - Term 3, 2012 Student Workbooks for QLD Biology New content to support Key Concepts and Key Ideas includes: • Cell signaling and its role in homeostatic processes • Gene regulation and the control of protein synthesis • Application of DNA technology to our understanding of evolutionary relationships Supporting Resources • Paper interactives to model molecular processes • Experimental scenarios involving the analysis and interpretation of second hand data FREE Supporting Resources VIEW FULL FLIP BOOK PREVIEWS on the BIOZONE website now: www.BIOZONE.com.au/Products_AUS.html ALSO AVAILABLE AS eBOOKS VIA THE BIOZONE APP BIOZONE Learning Media Australia PHONE (07) 5535 4896 P.O. Box 2841 FAX (07) 5508 2432 Burleigh BC, QLD 4220, Australia EMAIL [email protected] www.BIOZONE.com.au The Queensland Science Teacher Volume 38, Edition 3 - Term 3, 2012 President’s Report 2 Professional Associations Meet With 23 Peta Jackson Filipino Outstanding Teachers Louise Hoey From the Editor’s Desk 3 Charlotte Pezaro My Experience at Science at the 25 Shine Dome 2012 Astronomy Lights Up the Tropics in 4 Meg Saunderson 2012 Adam Hooper I’d tapp that: iPad biology app reviews 27 Harry Kanasa On the Nature of Science 10 Peter Ellerton NASA’s Curiosity is on Mars safely - 29 so now what? Discovering Density: Nine Activities 13 Kevin Orrman-Rossiter Charlotte Pezaro CONASTA: Reflections 30 BHP Billiton Awards 2012 18 Mary Rowland and Grant Darnell Louise Hoey Letter to the Editor 31 Careers in Science - With an 20 Peter Eastwell Agricultural Flavour Neal Menzies The Queensland Science Teacher is published by Science Teachers’ Association of Queensland Postal address PO Box 46, Burpengary, Queensland 4505 | Ph/Fax 07 3886 7606 Email [email protected] | Twitter @staqtweets | Find us on Facebook! Disclaimer: All reasonable attempts have been made to trace copyright holders of materials published. No material may be reproduced wholly or in part without written consent from the copyright holders or otherwise stated in the article. Articles published are the personal expressions of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Editor ot the Science Teachers’ Association of Queensland. The Editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or otherwise alter articles for publication. All photographs have been published on the understanding that appropriate compliance with privacy legislation has been obtained by the author of the article. Articles may be reprinted with permission and due credit to The Queensland Science Teacher. Editorial submission deadline for the next issue: 15 October 2012. Cover image: Pre-service teachers investigate density Credit: Charlotte Pezaro The Queensland Science Teacher Volume 38 Issue 3 1 STAQ President’s Report Peta Jackson STAQ President “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning.” - Albert Einstein, Relativity: The Special and the General Theory National Science Week National Science Week was from the August 11-19, 2012. The schools theme for 2012 is “energy evolution”, based on the UN’s International Year of Sustainable Energy For All. I would like to congratulate all of the Queensland schools that were successful in Peta Jackson applying for funding. During National Science STAQ President Week there were multiple science activities school science community in Queensland to taking place that had been registered by showcase the creative and innovative work schools and organisations. Information about that students are doing. Please go to the STAQ events and registering your event can be website for more information. found at: http://www.scienceweek.gov.au/. If you are looking for ideas for next year’s events, please visit the schools section of Australian curriculum the National Science Week website — http:// In the last couple of months STAQ council and www.scienceweek.net.au/schools/ — where members have been involved in providing you will find a resource booklet, ideas for consultation on the current draft of the Senior school events and some useful templates. I Curriculum documents for Science. STAQ would encourage you all to send in articles submitted a response which was developed and photos of your involvement in the 2012 based on feedback from STAQ members. We National Science Week that can be shared in appreciate the feedback we have received the next journal. from our members. Sony Science Teachers’ Association of Japan CONASTA 61 During National Science Week we will In July, CONASTA 61 was held in Canberra. have the pleasure of hosting members of From feedback received it was a fantastic the Sony Science Teachers’ Association of array of local, national and international Japan (SSTA) in Brisbane. During their time keynote speakers and workshop presenters in Brisbane they will be visiting some local and there were many opportunities to expand schools and attractions. STAQ will be hosting knowledge and skills in Science and Science a BBQ at a local school for STAQ members Education. I am looking forward to attending to have a chance to meet and interact with CONASTA 62 in Melbourne in 2013. the visitors from SSTA. Please look out for an email inviting you to register for this event. I hope you enjoy this issue of the journal and please keep November 30 2012 free for the STAQ Science Contest STAQ Senior Science Conference. The STAQ Science Contest is still open and Have a great Term 3! registrations close on the 22 August 2012. Peta Jackson The contest provides an opportunity for the 2 The Queensland Science Teacher Volume 38 Issue 3 From the Editor’s Desk Charlotte Pezaro emails for more information from STAQ about STAQ Journal Editor this new system. The Science Teachers’ Association of Finally, we also have Facebook and Twitter Queensland is proud to represent its members accounts to broadcast more time-relevant and provide services that assist you to do your news and details of events. This appeals to job better. experienced teachers who are digitally-savvy, as well as to establishing and pre-service To this end, we provide are regularly in teachers looking to join STAQ and participate communication with you. We publish this in STAQ professional development. journal, The Queensland Science Teacher, which publishes relevant and interesting In the coming weeks, a survey will appear articles about the latest in science and science on our website, seeking information about education. how you use our services and how we can provide a better service to you. A second We also host a website (http://www.staq.qld. survey will ask for your opinions on recent edu.au) to broadcast information regarding changes in education and science education events, workshops, resources and news. in Queensland. We thank you in advance for Our website has been redesigned and has completing these surveys. many great new features for you to take advantage of. One of these features is the capacity for members to comment on posts, This third edition of the Queensland Science leading (hopefully) to the sharing of valuable Teacher in 2012 has many interesting articles insight and resources for science teaching. from a variety of sources that we hope To comment, you will need to log in using the you will find useful for developing learning username and password that will be sent to experiences, enacting meaningful lessons, you in the near future. If you haven’t heard accessing learning opportunities, and from STAQ yet but you’re keen to contribute, reflecting on science teaching practices. please email us at [email protected] to Many thanks to Louise Hoey, who undertook request your username and password. some very careful editing for several of the At the beginning of each month (February to articles in this edition. Any remaining errors November, inclusive) we also send you an are my own. e-Newsletter with updates about our website, The fourth edition, due in late October, will be STAQ conferences and workshops, events a special feature edition, focusing on using and science education news. We have just technology in science education. Articles are commissioned the design of a new, HTML- always welcome, short or long; please send based newsletter system that will be easier to them to me via the STAQ email address. digest for you. Please keep an eye out on your Happy reading! Advertising in the STAQ Journal The Queensland Science Teacher, STAQ’s Journal, is released quarterly. If you wish to advertise, please contact the STAQ Office by calling 07 3886 7606 or emailing the STAQ Office at [email protected]. Outside back cover: $400.00 Inside front or back cover: $330.00 Full-page advert: $121.00 Half-page advert: $60.50 Quarter-page advert: $30.25 Insert: $165.00 The Queensland Science Teacher Volume 38 Issue 3 3 Astronomy Lights Up the Tropics in 2012 Adam Hooper Hill’s successful entry. In addition to the prize, Education Queensland a local surveying group (RPS) donated a scope and the HOC prevailed on the principal to purchase a further seven. These versatile instruments would play a pivotal role come the sixth of June. Back at Edge Hill it was decided by the HOC that the term three Curriculum to the Classroom (C2C) science units for years three, five and seven (all of which pertained to astronomy) would be best delivered in term two.