Engaging the "digital natives”

Vic Dobos CEO

Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA)

PISA report finds Australian teenagers education worse than 10 years ago

A study by the Australian Academy of Science shows Australian high school students have abandoned science in a big way in the past

couple of decades.

Have we 'mistaken the symptom for the problem'?*: Exploring issues of early career teacher retention and attrition

Class size, Gonski and schools funding: what are the facts?

CONTEXT

National Discussion is happening. • Teacher quality • NAPLAN • National curriculum • IB v State • PISA 2012 Report • Class sizes • STEM • Teacher attrition rates • Science literacy • School funding • Tertiary enrolments in Math's and Science • Employment ready – 21st century skills • Equity • Jobs – where are they

CONTEXT

CONTEXT

Students in Australia

CONTEXT

Students in Australia

SOME CHARACTERISTICS • Tech Savvy • Prematurely mature • Pampered • Empowered • Risk Averse • Protected

CHALLENGE

HOW TO ENGAGE AND STIMULATE STUDENTS IN A CLASSROOM CONTEXT? HOW TO FOSTER INTEREST IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENIGINEERING AND MATHS? HOW DO WE OFFER STUDENTS EXPERIENCES THAT DEFINE CAREER CHOICES?

In this context: • Budget challenges • Curriculum implementation • Student disengagement • Rapidly evolving technology • Ageing teacher demographic + • Unique student cohort

IT’s Science WEEK Todd Sampson Talks Science Simple Message 1. Why he loves Science

2. What excites him about Science

3. How to change the perception of Science

4. Rebranding Science

5. NO interest in Science – INTEREST in Lives

RELEVANCE – making it real

ASTA Initiatives

National Science Teacher Summer School Recognition that teachers are a key agent of change Supports: • Professional learning – pedagogical content knowledge • Confidence – lack disciplinary background • Support teaching - Array of resources • New networks – many enduring • SPARK of renewed enthusiasm • Brings back the ‘fun’ • Science that is Real and RELEVANT

ASTA Initiatives

National Science Teacher Summer School “The NSTSS nurtures the ‘science’ half of ‘science teachers’, but the ‘teacher half is never far away. It is expressed as the desire to know how best to help students succeed” • Engagement with leading edge researchers • Tapping new ideas & inspiration from university educators • Covers hot topics in Science • Breaking down the cultural stereotype of scientists • Access to national facilities • Social networks and career paths • Exposure to Science, society and policy

ASTA Initiatives

National Science Teacher Summer School Feedback “This is such a unique opportunity for science teachers from across the country to come together and experience what is happening at the cutting edge of science” “It was reassuring to realise that as a secondary school educator I remain the key link in the development of our global knowledge base, through inspiring my students” “ I feel empowered by the wealth of knowledge I have gained and feel confident to inspire my students into fields of science and engineering. With each speaker I was able to see the real world application of science”

ASTA Initiatives

National Science Teacher Summer School Feedback

ASTA Initiatives

Making Engineered Quantum Systems RELEVANT • EQuS - 1/12 Centres in 2011* • Science to Engineering • World leading program • International Collaborators

• BENEFITS AND LIMITS OF QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES • PRODUCUING NOVEL QUANTUM-ENHANCED DEVICES • EXPLORING NEW EMERGENT PHYSICAL PENOMENA

ASTA Initiatives

Making Engineered Quantum Systems RELEVANT Flexible quantum control toolkit – trapped ions Semiconductor Quantum dots – probing individual electrons Optomechanics Plasmonics Coupling Superconducting Qubits to Sapphire Resonators Engineered All-Optical Quantum Switch and Router Nanoparticles for Sensing and Bioimaging Quantum matter Tensor Network Simulations

ASTA Initiatives

Making Engineered Quantum Systems RELEVANT AWARENESS

• Keynote • Information Sheets

INTEREST

• NSTSS • Workshops • Videos

PARTICIPATION • Worksheets (Science ASSIST) • Demonstrations

ASTA Initiatives

Science ASSIST Project Elements 1 Support and advice for teachers of science 1 Practical science teaching and learning activities 1 Advice for safe practices in school science laboratories

ASTA Initiatives

ASTA Initiatives

ASTA Initiatives

ASTA Initiatives

Priority issues for school laboratory technicians and teachers of science

ASTA Initiatives

Priority issues for school laboratory technicians and teachers of science

ASTA Initiatives