One science teacher from every Australian state and territory has won the opportunity to mingle with the nation's most outstanding scientists, hear about the latest in discovery and innovation, and engage in a hands-on professional learning program at the Australian Academy of Science's annual three-day celebration, Science at the Shine Dome.
The teachers will attend the event as winners of a nationwide competition for educators who use simple hands-on experiments and activities to engage students and demonstrate the wonders of science and mathematics.
Winning entries included a model of the solar system made using toilet paper to showcase its scale, a class that studied whale sharks off the coast of Western Australia and the creation of a 'Rainbow Fire Jack-O-Lantern' to demonstrate exciting aspects of chemistry.
The winners receive full registration, travel and accommodation to attend Science at the Shine Dome, being held at the Academy's home in Canberra from 29-31 May 2013.
Judges from the Academy's secondary school education program, Science by Doing, and the Australian Science Teachers Association selected the following teachers for their innovative approach to teaching:
Carol Beckett Earth Phenomenon Beckett-Batchelor Area School, NT
Vivienne Gilkes Toilet paper model - solar system St Edmund's School, NSW
Louise Hoey Wonder of Science St Stephen's School, QLD
Karmen Hoy Kingdom of Edrof Radford College, ACT
Sam Moyle Rainbow Fire Jack-O-Lantern Brighton Secondary School, SA
Matthew Radburnd Whaleshark lessons Ocean Reef Senior High, WA
Jane Reaburn the Amazing Spaghetti Machine Girton Girls Grammar School, VIC
Ben Smethhurst Concrete Beam Poster The Friends School, TAS
"These teachers are helping to engage students with science in clever ways that will hopefully light a fire in the minds of their pupils," said Science By Doing Executive Director, Professor Denis Goodrum.
"The ground work these educators do in inspiring students to continue studying science is an important process in ensuring Australia continues to produce top scientific minds.
"By giving these teachers the opportunity to share their ideas and participate in discussions with the best scientists in the country, they can continue to develop new ways to get students hands on with science."
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
