Free Professional Development for Teachers of Science, Maths and Careers (Certificate of Participation Provided).

The Royal Society of Victoria is delighted to partner with the Growing Tall Poppies program to convene their 2015 Symposium.  Come explore the historic Royal Society of Victoria Hall and gain insight to its facilities and programme as a resource for science teachers and students alike.

The Growing Tall Poppies Science Partnership Program aims to increase the number of secondary students who study sciences in Years 11 and 12.  Physics is an enabling science for the progress of technology and biological advancement, yet it is the most affected by falling enrolments; especially among girls.  This in particular needs to be addressed to support increasing STEM workforce participation, career advancement and industry growth.

The express aim of the Program is to increase the number of girls who study the physical sciences to address the gender inequity in the uptake of physics and maths, subjects that empower career choice for individuals and transform outcomes for society. This troubling imbalance means we are not harnessing the STEM talent and potential of half our population to innovate for economic and social prosperity.

The symposium will explore different pedagogical approaches to the science curriculum for more effective learning and teaching while providing students and teachers of science an opportunity to network and make contacts with members of the science community.

Program Outline:

8.30 am     Registration – tea & coffee

9.00 am     Welcome to RSV – keynote

9.45 am   Physics & Maths Pathways

10.15 am   Morning tea and networking – food provided

11.00 am  Tour of RSV & Sodoku Toolkit Activity – How Maths and Science Interact

12.00 pm   Scientist Presentation & Panel Discussion: the Importance of STEM Skills – and how are they transferrable?

1.00 pm     Close