AuSIS at the National Conference of Science Educators
Dr Sima Mousavi presenting at the 2024 National Conference of Science Educators in Narrm Melbourne. Image: AuScope
At CONASTA 71, the 2024 National Conference of Science Educators, held at the University of Melbourne, Dr Sima Mousavi showcased Auscope’s NCRIS enabled AuSIS outreach initiatives. The event, themed "Perspectives: Science Educators Shaping Tomorrow," provided a platform for discussing the future of science education in Australia.
Overview
The National Conference of Science Educators aims to enhance the understanding and teaching of Science in schools by addressing key challenges educators face. Spanning five days, 2024’s CONASTA 71 hosted by the Science Teachers Association of Victoria (STAV), invited speakers to The University of Melbourne to address knowledge gaps, improve professional development opportunities, and promote Science as a vital curriculum component.
AuSIS workshop
Sima’s workshop focused on online earthquake discovery, offering an easy and interactive way for teachers and students to learn about earthquakes and tectonics. Sima also presented some hands-on experiments to help teachers bring seismology to students in a more engaging way. This included activities such as building your own seismometer.
Interviews with several teachers revealed common barriers: a narrow perception of Earth Science, a lack of foundational knowledge, limited professional development opportunities, and teachers' overwhelming workloads.
"At this year’s CONASTA, we've uncovered a critical truth: our educators are passionate but stretched thin, facing significant hurdles when integrating new and diverse subjects like Earth Sciences into their curricula.
Recognising this, our mission at AuSIS is to provide accessible tools that simplify these complex subjects.
By offering robust support and practical resources, we aim to empower educators to inspire the next generation of scientists without adding to their burdens. Together, we can overcome these hurdles and enrich science education across Australia."
– Dr Sima Mousavi
AuSIS activities
Explore the AuSIS network. Image: AuScope
AuSIS addresses these challenges by providing access to seismic stations, training workshops for schools, and professional development programs to enhance teachers' knowledge and skills in Earth Sciences. For more information, visit the AuSIS page.
Coming up: National Science Week
Last year’s winners of the inaugural Science Quake of the Year: Beerwah State High School. Image: Beerwah State High School, AuScope edited
Keep an eye out for AuSIS this National Science Week, 10 - 18th August 2024. The ‘National Science Quake of the Year’ competition among the schools in the AuSIS program will run over the course of the week.
Take a look at last year's inaugural Science Quake of the Year highlights.
Along with running the National Science Quake, AuSIS will be visiting the following four schools across different states and territories:
Ernabella School in APY Lands from SA
Broome Senior High School from WA
Beerwah State High School from QLD
Hawkesdale P12 School from VIC
STORY IN A NUTSHELL
Dr Sima Mousavi presented NCRIS enabled AuSIS outreach efforts at CONASTA 71 to empower educators and enhance Earth Sciences teaching.
