From the President

Julie Weber

I welcome you back to a new school year and I hope that 2021, except for the little hiccup at the start of the school year, will be free of the challenges of 2020.

At the time of printing off our regular events as scheduled to go ahead, please note that timing may be a little different. I encourage all members to check the website regularly and keep an eye out for members’ emails.

As teachers, we all want to engage students in activities with real-life applications. STAWA’s student activities are one of the mechanisms STAWA supports teachers to engage their students.

STAWA Student Activities for 2021 Synergy Schools Solar Challenge

Registration for 2021 competition have now closed. I wish all competition schools good luck in the heats and finals being held during this term. To find out more about this competition and to register your interest for the 2022 competition, go to https://www.solarchallenge. net.au/.

physics Day @ Adventure World

Physics Day @ Adventure World is planned for the last week of Term 3. The day is open to Year 10, 11 and 12 students studying Physics and by request Year 9 students. Students have access to the full park and all open rides, with information and demonstration booths supported by WA Universities, Scitech and others.

Students’ observations of and on the rides as well as the collection and analysis of the real data, will help them better relate classroom theory to real-world practice.

Science Talent Search

The Science Talent Search competition is a wonderful opportunity for students from Kindergarten to Year 12 to develop their interests in Science. The Science Talent Search also provides students with an opportunity to expand their scientific literacy by showing interest and understanding in the world around them and engaging in discussions about Science. The Science Talent Search categories are curriculum-based and link directly to Western Australian curriculum.

The Science Talent Search website has been updated with the latest information about registration, entry category guidelines and rules. Website link: https:// www.stawa.net/student-activities/science-talentsearch/.

School registration for the 2021 Science Talent Search competition is now open. Registered school need to appoint one teacher as their competition coordinator. Only school coordinators will receive information about entering student projects.

National Science Week

Each year the Australian Science Teachers Association, with funding assistance from the Australian Government, provides grants for school-initiated National Science Week activities. STAWA administers the awarding of these grants to WA schools.

The grants are designed to support teachers and schools deliver engaging STEM events and activities that align with the National Science Week vision. They are intended to be a contribution to the running of a National Science Week activity or event in a school not. Grant applications are now open at http://asta. edu.au/programs/natscienceweek/2021_national_ science_week_school_grants

The theme for National Science Week 2021 is “Food: Different by Design”. The theme references the United Nations International Year of Fruits and Vegetables and the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. “Food: Different by Design” will cover a broad range of areas in food production and sustainable agriculture, enabling students to explore topics such as biosecurity, food technology and laboratory developed foods.

For more information, please see the links below: https://www.scienceweek.net.au/schools/ https://asta.edu.au/programs/natscienceweek

As I have mentioned many times, STAWA is only as strong as its members. Members of STAWA have the opportunity to access many activities at a discount or to the exclusion of non-members. All members can contribute to the association by attending and presenting at conferences or workshops, contributing to SCIOS, engaging their students in student activities, nominating for STAWA Council and volunteering on committees. Membership fees are tax deductible, so encourage your friends and colleges to become STAWA members. STAWA not only has a number of different individual membership types but also offers primary and secondary school membership. I wish you all the best for the term, and the upcoming year and look forward to meeting many of you over the course of the year, in person or online and at STAWA events.

Julie Weber President 2020