ABOUT CONASTA

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ABOUT CONASTA CONASTA is the annual conference
of the Australian Science Teachers Association
held every year in a different state or
territory.  Conasta 55 was the 55th consecutive
national conference for science educators. The
main theme Science Education ? Inventing the
Future . . .reflects the critical role that
science, together with education, has in creating
Australias future. It was explored throughout
the conference
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The Programme . . . contained an exciting set
of keynote addresses, an extensive range of
workshops,- excursions to local laboratories,-
breakfasts at the Art Gallery and the Botanic
Gardens,- a high quality trade exhibition and a
variety of social events.
The Keynote Speakers included Professor Hugh
Possingham and Dr Tanya Monro.  Dr Jim Gehling
conducted the Stanhope Oration
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The Programme . . .The University of Adelaide
also showcased many of their courses, research
and facilities as part of the conference
programme. . . .A Specific two-day Primary
Science and a Lab Technician Programme was also
included.
There we are! Keith and I were two of the three
Kiwi teachers at this conference. Approximately
300 science teachers, administrators and
laboratory technicians attended.
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• We enjoyed
• ...Excellent speakers presentations!
• Dr Manny Noakes,
• Co-author of CSIRO Well Being Diet (Keith won a
  signed copy of the diet book in a happy hour draw
  . . I won a forensic science kit!)
• Dr Jim Reilly - NASA Astronaut and Geologist
  talking about his work and plans for manned Mars
  missions.
• Also
• Perceptions and Misconceptions of Photographic
  Evidence
• Experimental Skills for Year 13 Physics Teachers
  (The University of Adelaide)
• Measuring the Speed of Light.
• Genetic Engineering and Breeding - New
  Interactive Simulations

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We enjoyed A morning at the seaside (going
on the tram) ! Glenelg (note the solar
powered street-lamp)
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We enjoyed . A few glasses of wine ! . . .
and the chance to make new friends!
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We enjoyed . A good conference dinner. . . .
and a lesson in winemaking (at the
National Wine Centre)
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We enjoyed . A field trip or two ! (Glacial
concretions!!) Excursion to Hallett Cove
Geological Monument, South Australia
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We enjoyed . A field trip or two ! Excursion
to Hallett Cove Geological Monument, South
Australia
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We enjoyed . A field trip or two ! (Sanctuary
slumbers!) Kangaroo Island Seal Bay One of
only two places in the world where you can stroll
with your guide through a wild seal colony.  Seal
Bay is home to around 600 of the rare Australian
Sea Lions.
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We enjoyed . A field trip or two ! Kangaroo
Island Seal Bay One of only two places in the
world where you can stroll with your guide
through a wild seal sealion colony.  Seal Bay
is home to around 600 of the rare Australian Sea
Lions.
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We enjoyed . A field trip or two ! (Granite
extrusions!!) Flinders Chase Natl Park -
Kangaroo Island Remarkable Rocks Admirals
Arch Huge rocks which have been carved
into many different weird and wonderful shapes by
the wind and the ocean spray over many centuries.
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We enjoyed . A field trip or two ! (With
close encounters)
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The prequel - Sydney
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The Powerhouse Museum is a science-and-technology
museum that promotes interactive learning The
museum itself is built from the shell of an old
power station constructed in 1899-1902 to provide
power for Sydney's electric tram system.
Visitors to the Powerhouse Museum can walk
through the old boiler house, with its giant
smokestacks, the turbine and engine houses, and
the switch house, where the electricity was
switched to parts of the city.
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The Powerhouse Museum is a science-and-technology
museum that promotes interactive learning . . .
and we had a few surprises!
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The Powerhouse Museum is a science-and-technology
museum that promotes interactive learning
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The Powerhouse Museum is a science-and-technology
museum that promotes interactive learning. We
were able to capture lots of images to use in
teaching. This is Joule with his paddle wheel.
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The Powerhouse Museum is a science-and-technology
museum that promotes interactive learning. The
moment of enlightenment?
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The Powerhouse Museum is a science-and-technology
museum that promotes interactive learning. This
remarkable balancing act is down to centres of
mass.
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One final surprise at Adelaide airport. . .
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Back to Auckland . . .
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• What did we bring back
• Lots of teaching resources
• Hundreds of dollars worth of free books and
  software (distributed to science dept and
  library)
• Lots of ideas for teaching
• Lots of images to incorporate into teaching
  resources
• Contacts with Australian colleagues
• A refreshed attitude to our approach to science

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• What did we learn
• CONASTA conferences are well organised and
  definitely give a different perspective on
  teaching science.

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• What did we learn
• CONASTA conferences are well organised and
  definitely give a different perspective on
  teaching science.
• NZ science teaching is as good as, and in some
  ways better than the various curricula in
  Australia.

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• What did we learn
• CONASTA conferences are well organised and
  definitely give a different perspective on
  teaching science.
• NZ science teaching is as good as, and in some
  ways better than the various curricula in
  Australia.
• There is a dire shortage of physics teachers in
  Australia like other places in the world.

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• What did we learn
• CONASTA conferences are well organised and
  definitely give a different perspective on
  teaching science.
• NZ science teaching is as good as, and in some
  ways better than the various curricula in
  Australia.
• There is a dire shortage of physics teachers in
  Australia like other places in the world.
• It was interesting to see the labs and research
  of the University

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• What did we learn
• CONASTA conferences are well organised and
  definitely give a different perspective on
  teaching science.
• NZ science teaching is as good as, and in some
  ways better than the various curricula in
  Australia.
• There is a dire shortage of physics teachers in
  Australia like other places in the world.
• The current work of some of the departments of
  the University
• The Australian federal and state governments are
  prepared to put funding into science education
  programmes believing that this is where the
  future lies.

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• What did we learn
• CONASTA conferences are well organised and
  definitely give a different perspective on
  teaching science.
• NZ science teaching is as good as, and in some
  ways better than the various curricula in
  Australia.
• There is a dire shortage of physics teachers in
  Australia like other places in the world.
• It was interesting to see the labs and research
  of the University
• The Australian federal and state governments are
  prepared to put funding into science education
  programmes believing that this is where the
  future lies.
• Do we?

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What did we learn ..and Adelaide is one of
the best wine producing areas in Australia.