ConASTA has been and it was terrific! 2 years of hard work came together in an inspiring 4 days with so many fantastic workshops and excursions as well as networking opportunities
It was great to meet many of you, and I hope that you will be keen to share some of your own science ideas when we call out for workshops for ConSTAWA next year (Yes, planning for
ConSTAWA will start soon)
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The STAWA AGM is nearly here, Thursday 18 September at the Curtin University Chem Centre You will receive your email invitation soon Please join us at the Chem Centre or online
AGMs may not be the most exciting event of the year, but they are essential and a legal requirement for the running of STAWA PLUS, this year we will say farewell to John Clarke our CEO and introduce a new staff member as well as a new STAWA president! How could you miss being there?
There will also be a social event after the AGM (food and drinks supplied) to farewell John after 19 years as CEO of STAWA All who attend the AGM in person are welcome to join this event
Best wishes to those who have student entries in the Science Talent Search – and thank you for supporting them It is a time consuming task but the excitement when students complete their project is wonderful New rules regarding entry numbers have been introduced this year and please consider being a judge – it is some of the best PL you will do
Did you know you can borrow some amazing animal specimens from CREEC (Canning River Eco Education Centre)? This fantastic environmental education resource centre is located next to the Kent Street Weir in Wilson, City of Canning
The animals can be used for all year levels in Biological Sciences I will share a bit about the animals in this issue and then some curriculum linked ideas next time (Well – I have included one activity at the end this time!)
Chuditch or Western Quoll are found in the jarrah forest but are elusive!
Brush tailed possums or Koomal are found in the south west forests and even in the metro area Your school may have possums if you have mature eucalypts
No – not a porcupine! An echidna or Nyingarn is often a student favourite with its spines and specialised digging feet
Quenda is the indigenous name – preferred to Southern
Brown Bandicoot Quendas are quite happy to live in the
local bush or even your backyard if you are lucky!
A dugite or Dobitj – our local venomous snake. (PS this one is actually a model – but has even fooled many teachers as it is quite realistic)
What is on loan?
A bobtail or Yooran – did you know they can live for about 50 years!
Taxidermy animals (from accidental deaths) of local native species They are set in life-like poses and encased in sealed boxes Easy to carry but be warned – they can be heavy if you have a long way to walk from the carpark to your class I used a flat trolley and made a couple of trips.
They are sizable and you will need space in your car to avoid stacking them –depending on how many you borrow They can be borrowed for free for 3 weeks which is fantastic but need to be picked up and returned by you. They must be used only in classrooms or inside spaces (not outside) and the Perspex enclosures are not allowed to be lifted off.
What comes with them?
A short but fairly comprehensive set of notes covering:
Description
Indigenous name
Habitat
Life cycle
Threats
Adaptations
Conservation status
Imagine your students walking into your classroom and seeing these animals on the tables or bench! What a hook!
The first question is usually – Are they alive?
Closely followed by – Are they real?
Because taxidermy is not something they may know about, I suggest you do some research and be prepared to talk them through this concept. Reassure them that the
animals were not deliberately killed – they were found already dead and were taxidermized to allow students (and teachers) to learn about our local animals. Please be aware of students who may find this discussion a bit sensitive for any personal reason
You will need to contact CREEC to book ahead to fit in with your program
While at CREEC or on their website, check out their other resources suitable for primary science and their science excursions They are right next to Kenwick Weir and offer a wide range of outdoor curriculum linked lessons for primary science
I have often sat in the café next door and enjoyed watching the students looking at macroinvertebrates they have collected from the waterways and other activities!
A taster - for Year 1 Biological Sciences
Living things have a variety of external features
Living things live in different places where their needs are met
With a focus on external features, the students were invited to be scientists and collect observations about the animals as though no one had seen them before They could draw or write – whichever they preferred as they were the scientist They really enjoyed observing the animal features and worked collaboratively in pairs I often saw them helping each other with the words they needed
We did begin the lesson by looking at each animal and discussing them – they had so many questions! As my grandson’s school is in the hills, a lot of the students were familiar with some of these animals and even had them living around their backyards -
which was a real life connection for them The focus of the activity was on
observations and recording so I made sure to point out the features that I hoped they would write/draw about
I gave them a simple table to fill in and explained that a table helps scientists keep their observations in order It would also allow them to compare the animals features
afterwards as they could not always have the animals to look at This was their first time using a table like this and they did very well – though in hindsight, I should have printed them A3 not A4 size! Perhaps sharing a table and taking turns to record
observations may be a better option, especially if it is early in the year and writing
skills are still being developed
I chose to do a table so they would not need to write whole sentences, and it would give them a sense of order
as they progressed to each specimen And let’s face it -
Scientists love tables!
You will note that the possum was not included on the table – I only brought 4 animals as I felt that 4 would be
enough for the Year 1 students to handle in the time we
had - and it was just right
The young scientists really enjoyed making their observations and recording them – with many of them asking about what terms to use to describe body parts or
being quite creative with their choice of descriptive words
As they completed their table, I gave them a spiral snake to write descriptive ‘S’ words on before they cut it out and hung it to see it turn round and round with the breeze
Pamela Getalado
Hundreds of science educators across Australia enjoyed some of their Term 2 School holidays in Perth as they attended ConASTA 72: Eyes to the Future Conference
We thank everyone who attended the conference, and we hope that you enjoyed the workshops and excursions that were on offer
Enjoy some highlights and reflections from attendees You never know – you might be inspired to attend ConASTA in Brisbane next year!
Visit the Science Teachers Association of Queensland (STAQ) to express your interest to attend or present at ConASTA in 2026!
“As a first-year science specialist, after 40 years in the classroom, I found ConASTA 72 inspiring and energising. It consolidated my opinion that science teachers are thoughtful, supportive, and generous.”
Hi! Charu Sharma here, and I am a senior
teacher currently working as a science specialist, at Riva Primary School
I have an experience of over 16 years teaching science, inspiring curiosity and innovation in young minds
As the coordinator of the school’s Gifted and Talented program, I have designed dynamic, inquiry-based learning experiences that challenge and extend high-achieving students
A passionate advocate for STEM education, I serve as a First Lego League coach and have been instrumental in integrating 3D printing into the school’s curriculum, empowering students to turn ideas into tangible creations
My strength lies in blending creativity, cutting-edge technology, and real-world problem-solving I am dedicated to preparing students for the challenges of the future while fostering a lifelong love of learning
A FAVOURITE RESOURCE!
My latest favourite piece of science equipment in the playground has been a giant slingshot, cleverly built by
my husband from a wooden pallet
Children stand on the platform and, under close
supervision, launch balls across the playground with
great excitement
It was a hit with the students at North Harrisdale Primary
School during National Science Week This hands-on
activity captured their attention instantly, combining fun
with a sense of wonder as they watched the balls soar through the air The simple design makes it engaging and accessible, while also sparking endless curiosity about force, motion, and trajectory
What makes this activity especially valuable is how it encourages children across the year groups to become young investigators They experiment with different angles, levels of pull, and ball types to see which combinations allow the ball to travel the furthest distance This playful yet scientific approach helps them understand cause and effect while developing problem-solving and teamwork skills With every launch, the slingshot becomes more than just a toy it transforms into a tool for exploring science in an exciting, memorable way
Do you have a favourite resource? Please share!
SCIOS Primary is starting a new opportunity for you to share your favourite resource!
It does not have to be big like this one - just something that you and your students really enjoy using and which supports the primary science curriculum Teachers often like to see resources that have been tried and tested by others before purchasing
All contributions welcome with a photo and a short text Please ensure that you relate it to the curriculum
Many thanks to Kaye (one of our amazing Primary Science Committee members) for jumping in first!
There are lots of spaced themed words
Let’s face it, space is an amazingly interesting place and most students are fascinated!
More space words to inspire you
The NASA website was used as a reputable reference
Space word
Cosmos or Universe
Big Bang
Hubble Telescope
SKA - Square Kilometre Array
Explanation
The Universe = Cosmos All existing space and matter.
Theory of the origin of the Universe An ever expanding system
First deep space telescope in a low Earth orbit (average 500 km above the surface) Launched in1990, the Hubble Telescope has performed well beyond its expected life span and should still be operating till about 2030.
The SKA will detect very deep space radio waves to see what’s ‘out there’ Being built in a protected Quiet Zone 800km north of Perth and linked with another SKA in South Africa.
Orbits about 400kms above the Earth
Interesting facts
Estimated to be 13 8 billion years old (give or take a few days!)
Not the TV series! The Universe is about 13 8 billion years old and still spreading out
Did you know that scientists had to give the Hubble space station “glasses” when it first came online to correct an aberrant curve in the primary mirror?
There needs to be minimal sound pollution in the places that the SKA is being built It is not a single telescope but has more than 130, 000 antenna systems!
ISS - International Space Station
Time
https://spotthestation nasa g ov/tracking map cfm (retrieved March 2025)
Measuring the duration of an event or referring to when something has or will happen
The ISS has been continually occupied since 2000 – check out lots more info on the NASA website to inspire future astronauts
When - yesterday, today, tomorrow - or how long it takes to brush your teeth
Space word
Speed of light or Light speed
Explanation
The fastest known speed at approximately 300 000 km per second The sun is our main source of natural light and light takes 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach us here on Earth
Other than in a vacuum, the speed of light is not constant It slows down when traveling through different materials
Interesting facts
Astronaut or Cosmonaut
Space Capsule
Giant Magellan telescope (online in 2030)
A person who trains to leave Earth and function in a space environment Cosmonauts are Russian trained astronauts
Nothing we produce can go at light speed because it would require too much energy This is sad but true for Star Wars, Star Trek and Dr Who fans!
James Webb telescope
Latin capsula “box” Space craft design to transport objects or astronauts into space and then re-enter the earth’s atmosphere and land safely
Huge earth based telescope in Chile
https://giantmagellan org/ (retrieved March 2025)
The James Webb was launched on December 25th 2021 It does not orbit around the Earth like the Hubble Space Telescope, it orbits the Sun at 1 5 million kilometres away from the Earth
In 1961 Yuri Gagarin was the first human to travel into outer space. Laika, a stray dog was the first living creature to go into orbit in 1957. Sadly, she died on re-entry.
For example - Apollo 11. This space capsule orbited the Moon in 1969 while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin used the Apollo Lunar lander to be the first humans to step foot on another celestial body.
It is being built in Chile because the desert region is an astronomer’s paradise due to its high altitude, clear skies, dark nights, and steady atmosphere.
Jump on to the NASA website to see the most recent images captured by this amazing telescope
Looking for some inspiring astronomers, astronauts and space science heroes? So many to choose from – here are just a few to get started Perhaps you or your students recognise some of the names?
Neil Armstrong
Tycho Brahe
Jocelyn Burnell
Nicolaus Copernicus
Brian Cox
Yuri Gagarin
Galileo Galilei
John Glenn
Edmund Halley Stephen Hawking
Hypatia
Indigenous cultures
Johannes Kepler
Isaac Newton
Carl Sagan
Ruby Payne-Scott
Valentina Tereshkova
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Why not learn about our Australian space facilities and the role they played in the original moon landing? Or perhaps find out about our new Australian Space Agency
This Talk Like a Scientist was compiled by Cathie Donaldson
OPEN LAB AFTERNOON
Piara Waters Primary School
Thursday, 4 September 2025 from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Vanitha
Ram
This is a great opportunity for Primary Science Specialists to see how others operate either in their purpose-built laboratory or a re-purposed room Of course it is a great opportunity to network too
Please note that this is a FREE event, however, you must RSVP by Friday, 29 August 2025. th
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
THURSDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2025
Resources and Chemistry Precinct
Curtin University - Building 500
RSVP HERE PROGRAM
5:00 pm for a 5:30 pm start
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm - STAWA 2025 AGM
After the AGM, you are welcome to stay for supper and drinks as we will be also celebrating the retirement of our CEO, John Clarke, following the event
Here are just some of the benefits and opportunities for STAWA Members Please
check our website for details, and to find out what else STAWA does - PLUS what
STAWA can offer you! (www stawa net)
SERVICES AND SUPPORT
Resources
A range of resources for Primary teachers is available on the website Look for the
Resources Tab There are resources available to members and non-members
Members can also share resources through the STAWA website You can download
resources directly from the website or request to upload resources by contacting the
Office (admin@stawa net)
Catalist (Secondary teachers)
Catalist is an email communications list which reaches over 800 Science Educators and is used to share information, ask questions, and discuss current issues To subscribe to Catalist, look under the Teachers Tab on the website
Australian Science Teachers’ Association (ASTA) Affiliation
Full fee-paying members enjoy the benefits of affiliated membership to the national association This includes access to ASTA’s online journal, Teaching Science, and the
Chrysalis online learning community
PUBLICATIONS
STAWA Primary Members receive:
SCIOS Primary (STAWA online journal)
Teaching Science (ASTA journal),
Information about Science activities for students and teachers
Professional Development & Conference programs
MEMBER DISCOUNTS
Members receive discounts for STAWA Professional Development Workshops, a range of services and attractions, STAWA texts and resources, plus attendance at STAWA
Conferences and events, including CONSTAWA and ConASTA
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
STAWA recognition of teacher achievement and service through annual awards –de Laeter Medal
Jeff Cahill Early Career Teacher Award
Support for Primary Science teachers is given through the STAWA Early Career Primary Science Scholarship
OPPORTUNITIES
Teaching employment opportunities, curriculum review and development, government policy input, science equipment advice and professional development An independent voice through STAWA’s representatives on many education bodies and committees
WELCOME PACK
New members receive a Welcome Pack containing a Members USB, Pen, and Notepad
STAWA LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Each nomination for STAWA Life Membership is considered on its individual merits
Nominations, accompanied by relevant supportive evidence, must be submitted to the
President of STAWA Life Membership, if awarded, is bestowed at the AGM Please refer to the specific details on the STAWA website
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
Science Talent Search
Synergy Schools Solar Challenge
MEMBERSHIP QUERIES
If you have any queries with regards to your membership, please email us at admin@stawa net
Send the following to the editor:
1. Please send your document as a word file with photographs and other images embedded where you need them to be
2. Photographs and other images (e g diagrams) should be sent as separate files
3 Photographs often increase the clarity and interest level of your work Send your photographs as tiff or highest quality jpeg files with a resolution of at least 300 dot per inch (dpi) Note to teachers: a signed parent permission slip must be obtained for any photographs of students to be included in SCIOS.
4 Copyright for any part of your contribution that is copyright of a third party needs to be obtained in writing (email acceptable)
COPYRIGHT
No other publisher should have published your manuscript, nor should you submit for publication elsewhere If SCIOS Primary publishes your manuscript then your text and graphics will become copyright of STAWA STAWA will, however, agree to your use of the contents of your paper for most reasonable non-commercial purposes
Contact primaryscience@stawa net to submit your articles
