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September 2025

As Term 3 progresses, there are plenty of opportunities to connect, learn and share within the science community. Registrations are now open for the Early Career Teachers Conferencea full day of practical strategies, hands-on workshops and networking for R–12 educators. Plus, there’s still time to submit a workshop proposal for the STEM Conference if you’ve got an idea or experience to share with fellow science teachers.



Scroll down to explore upcoming events, competitions, classroom resources, and highlights from National Science Week.

National Science Week Theme Announced

As we wrap up the inspiring celebrations of National Science Week 2025, it’s time to start getting excited about what’s coming next!

The theme for National Science Week 2026 is Seeds of Science – Nurturing Knowledge for All 🌿



In 2026, we’ll be digging into how science helps ideas grow — from tiny seeds to big breakthroughs. Whether it’s exploring the future of food, understanding ecosystems, or diving into cutting-edge fields like nanotech and biotech, this theme is all about curiosity, connection, and community.



Stay tuned for details on school grants, classroom resources, and how you can get involved in another big year of science discovery!



Professional Learning

Early Career Teachers Conference

Kickstart your science teaching journey with a day of hands-on workshops, practical strategies and networking at Nazareth Catholic College – Senior Campus.



Designed for preservice and early career educators (R–12), the program covers behaviour management, lab safety, curriculum design, digital tools and inclusion. Connect with peers, share ideas in the popular Share-a-thon, and enjoy morning tea, lunch and happy hour. Travel scholarships are available for regional and remote teachers. Find out more here.

STEM Conference

"STEM for a Changing World" explores how educators can equip students with the skills, adaptability, and creativity needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world. The conference will be a platform for future-focused learning, integrated practice, and real-world problem-solving through STEM.



Join us to connect, collaborate, and be inspired by innovative ideas that shape the future of STEM education. Workshops are encouraged from educators across all year levels, including primary settings. Find out more here.

MEMBERS FREE Webinars

Unlock AI's transformative power in your school

In this webinar, AI expert and Leading Teacher Chris Bush will teach you how to harness ChatGPT and AI for revolutionary results. You’ll learn how to use AI for planning, assessment, marking, and more. Join us to discover the power of AI to transform your classroom and school so you can work smarter, not harder.



Embedding gamification, innovation, immersion and storytelling into science lessons

This course is designed for all teachers to provide the tools and strategies to promote and harness the benefits of engagement, embed immersive, gamified and storytelling strategies to your lessons and create a love of science through innovative practices. This course is a modified version of the full day PD offered, focusing more on the benefits, approaches and examples of engaging science lessons without the hands-on, directed coaching on the skills to build / collaboration with peers to develop your own work.

    Resources

    For all resources available from SASTA visit the website.

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    SASTA’s Topic Tests and Exam Packs provide high-quality assessment resources for Stage 1 and Stage 2 Biology, Chemistry & Physics. Designed to align with the SACE curriculum, these fully editable tests and exams help teachers assess student understanding and prepare them for final assessments. 

    

    Orders can be placed via purchase order to [email protected]

    Contributions from the science community

    Powering Up the Future Competition

    Snowy Hydro’s Powering Up the Future invites primary and secondary students to design an innovative idea, technology or system that reduces energy use or emissions. Entries include a 1–2 minute video and 200-word explanation. Prizes valued up to $3,000 are on offer, with teacher resources aligned to the Australian Curriculum. Entries close: 28 September. 

    

    Find out more here

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    SACE Stage 2 Exam Revision – Westminster School

    Westminster School is offering subject-specific revision sessions to support SACE Stage 2 students in the lead-up to final exams. Led by experienced educators, the sessions focus on key content, exam techniques, and practice questions for Psychology, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.

    Dates: 3–9 October 2025 | Location: Westminster School

    Find out more here. 

    Bringing Nature into the Classroom

    Explore nature-based learning to support student wellbeing and sustainability education at this full-day professional development workshop hosted by the City of Mitcham and Green Adelaide. Sessions include Kaurna and Boandik cultural learnings, Steiner approaches, nature art, endemic species propagation, and more.

    Date: Sunday 21 September 2025 | Time: 9:30am–2:00pm

    Location: Urrbrae Wetland Education Centre. Find out more here

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    Ingenuity 2025

    Take your Year 7–12 students to Ingenuity 2025—a free, hands-on STEM showcase hosted by the University of Adelaide. Students can explore projects in science, engineering, maths, architecture and computer science while engaging with current uni students and staff. Large groups welcome!

    Date: Wednesday 29 October 2025
    Location: Adelaide Convention Centre 

    Find out more here

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    Geologists from Planet Earth – Podcast & Resource

    Explore geology through real-life stories in Geologists from Planet Earth, a free podcast featuring scientists from around the world—including Australia. Aimed at upper primary to lower secondary students (ages 12–16), the series highlights career paths in Earth sciences through engaging, narrative-style episodes released fortnightly. A downloadable teaching resource includes discussion prompts and classroom activities aligned to the Australian Curriculum.

    Cost: Free | Resource available via TES. Find out more here

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    Porci’s Ocean Patrol – Marine Sustainability Program

    Porci’s Ocean Patrol is a free, online program for early years and primary students, led by Porci the Porcupine Fish and his Ocean Patrollers, Georgie and Karno. Through games, quizzes, and storytelling, students explore South Australia’s marine life, Aboriginal cultural connections, and simple actions to protect our oceans. The series encourages curiosity, community involvement, and sustainability.

    Format: Online access | Cost: Free

    Find out more here

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    WildVoice – Youth Art for Conservation Competition

    Encourage Year 7–12 students to become creative champions for wildlife protection! WildVoice invites young artists to explore wildlife crime and conservation through drawing, painting, digital art, mixed media or collage. This is a unique opportunity to raise awareness through creativity—submissions close 15 October 2025

    

    Find out more here

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    They Did What!? Video Competition

    Open to students in Years 5–9, this fun competition asks entrants to create a short video on a surprising scientific discovery. Videos should be under 3 minutes and judged on creativity, engagement and scientific accuracy. Run by the National STEM Communicators Network, the comp includes prizes and classroom resources to support participation. Entries close: 27 November. Find out more here

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    Sustainability in the Classroom and Beyond – 2025 Forum

    Green Adelaide’s one-day forum returns in 2025, supporting educators from early years to secondary with practical ideas for embedding sustainability across the curriculum. Featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, school tours, and hands-on workshops, this event is a must for educators passionate about environmental learning.

    Date: Thursday 9 October 2025 | Location: Adelaide Botanic High School
    Cost: Ticketed (includes catering + PL certificate). Find out more here

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    Winged Wonders 

    Winged Wonders is a playful education program for early years and primary students, using music, movement and storytelling to explore South Australia’s native butterflies and woodland birds. Created by SeaStar Rock, the program includes free, curriculum-linked videos, lesson plans, activity sheets, and outdoor walking trail maps. Students learn about life cycles, pollinators, and conservation in fun, engaging ways. Find out more here. 

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    Free Crystal Explorer Kits for Primary Schools

    Engage Years 4–6 students with hands-on activities exploring crystallography and molecular structures. Developed by the Society of Crystallographers (ANZ), each Crystal Explorer Kit includes materials for four molecular models, a teaching booklet, and links to free online lessons and videos.Cost: Free (incl. postage) | Eligibility: One kit per school (two for 400+ students)

    

    First in, best dressed! Find out more here

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    Teachers Registration Board Service Award

    Nominations are now open for the 2025 Teachers Registration Board Service Award, which honours educators with 20+ years of service who have made a lasting impact on student learning and the profession. Teachers can self-nominate or be nominated by a colleague. Applications must include a CV and a statement addressing the nominee’s contribution to student wellbeing, teaching practice, and professional collaboration. The award will be presented on 4 November at Adelaide Town Hall. Submit applications to [email protected] 

    by midnight, 5 October 2025. Download the application form and criteria here.

    Copyright Agency Questionnaire

    Take 10 minutes to tell Copyright Agency what materials you’ve copied and shared with your students in the past 12 months and go into the draw to win one of five $500 e-gift cards.

    

    The information you provide will help Copyright Agency ensure fair payment to creators of educational material.

    Complete the online questionnaire by 15 September to go into the draw. Prize draw T&Cs apply. Find out more here

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