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May 2026

Welcome back for Term 2!


We hope you had a chance to recharge over the break (and maybe ignore your emails for a little while). It’s been a busy and exciting start to Term 2, with plenty happening across the SASTA community. From celebrating our 2026 Award winners, including the return of the SASTA Medal, to a packed calendar of professional learning and events, there are lots of opportunities to connect, learn and get involved this term.


Keep scrolling to explore upcoming workshops and webinars, student opportunities, classroom resources and ways to engage with the wider science education community.

SASTA Medal Winner - Kathleen Best

We’re proud to celebrate Kathleen Best as the recipient of the SASTA Medal, recognising her outstanding and sustained contribution to science education and to the Association. A long-standing and highly valued member of SASTA, Kathleen has made a significant impact through her leadership, professional learning contributions and ongoing service, including her deep involvement in the Oliphant Science Awards and her work as a Primary Science Specialist Teacher at Clarendon Primary School.


This year’s award is particularly special, marking the first time the SASTA Medal has been presented since 2019. Kathleen’s dedication to fostering inquiry, supporting fellow educators and strengthening primary science education makes her a truly deserving recipient. Keep an eye on the SASTA Blog this month, where we’ll be sharing more about our 2026 SASTA Award winners.

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Professional Learning

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Early Career Teachers Conference

Call for Workshops open - Share your expertise


We’re now seeking presenters for our 2026 Early Career Teachers Conference, taking place on Friday 9 October. This one-day event is designed to support graduate and early career teachers to build confidence, strengthen classroom practice and connect with the wider science education community. If you have practical strategies, ideas or experiences to share, we’d love to hear from you and have you contribute to this supportive and engaging professional learning opportunity.

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NEW WORKSHOP

Teaching Science in the Middle Years: Practical Tools for Years 7-10 Workshop

Middle Years Science (7-10) is a critical platform for science understanding and retention of students flowing into our senior science courses. This workshop aims to provide a range of practical tips, resources, and activities to equip and refine your skills in the middle school classroom. The focus will be on planning, pedagogy and practice to engage students whilst maintaining the level of rigour required to ensure we are meeting the achievement standard and differentiating for the needs of our classes.

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Design & Deconstruct Workshop

This workshop is aimed at people who want to further their skills in setting, assessment and providing feedback on the D&D + practical report task. It also will cover the writing and marking of practical questions for tests and exams as well. There will be time to examine your own student work and participate in some cross-moderation and marking of work/drafts.

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MEMBERS FREE Webinar Series

  • Digital Tools to Engage the Modern Learner

  • Unlock AI's transformative power in your school

  • Preparing Students for Online Exams

  • Ediacara in the Classroom: Bringing Fossils to Life

Full details available here. 

Oliphant Science Awards

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The 2026 Information Booklet is available and can be downloaded here. 

Project Registrations close on Sunday 17 May

Have you registered as a coordinator for 2026? And submitted all your student project registration forms? Find out all the details on the website here. 



Judging Registrations

We're still looking for more judges to be involved! We have a number of new judges this year, so we're looking for our experienced judges to sign up again to help them through the process. Register here. 

New Sponsor Prizes for 2026

We’re excited to introduce a range of new sponsor awards for this year’s Oliphant Science Awards, recognising student excellence across a variety of fields. Consider how your students’ projects might align with these opportunities:

  • Australian Entomological Society Award for the most outstanding entry that demonstrates understanding of the biodiversity, biology, behaviour or ecology of insects and/or their allies

  • CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Award for the most outstanding student entry in each category where the project directly addresses reducing greenhouse gas emissions

  • Robinson Aerospace Prize for Student Projects in Space Science and Technology for the most outstanding student projects demonstrating creativity, innovation, and the application of engineering or design principles in space technology

  • Soil Science Australia – SA Branch Prize for the most outstanding entry that demonstrates understanding of soil science, land management, sustainable agriculture, or terrestrial ecosystem processes

  • Plus Ultra Maritime, sponsoring the Programming, Apps and Robotics category

It’s a great opportunity for students to be recognised by leading organisations while pursuing areas of genuine scientific interest. Find out more. 

Resources

For all resources available from SASTA visit the website.

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SASTA Study Guides

SASTA Study Guides are the complete resource for students preparing for Stage 2 SACE exams. These guides include questions with worked solutions covering each topic of the Subject Outline and address all sections of the exam. Pre-order online now. 

Stage 1 & 2 Topic Tests & Exams

New editions of SASTA’s Stage 1 & 2 Trial Exams and Topic Tests are now available! (Psychology & Nutrition coming in July) Developed by experienced educators and aligned with the SACE curriculum, these editable resources cover science understanding, inquiry skills, and science as a human endeavour. Trial Exams provide authentic assessment preparation, while Topic Tests support learning and track progress throughout the year. Bundle both to save and have everything ready to go from day one.

Contributions from the science community

Annual Humpback Day Virtual Excursion

6 May 2026 | 4:00 pm (AEST) | Free


Join the Australian National Maritime Museum for this live, one-hour webinar exploring humpback whale migration and conservation. Designed for Foundation to Year 10, students will connect with scientists and researchers, including a live cross to CSIRO’s RV Investigator, to experience real-world marine science in action. This engaging session links directly to curriculum and sparks curiosity about marine ecosystems. Find out more here. 

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Premier's Reading Challenge - STEM Reading and Design Competition

The 2026 STEM Reading and Design Competition is now open to R–12 students and will run throughout Term 2. Delivered by the Premier’s Reading Challenge in partnership with key organisations, the competition invites students to explore STEM, Nature in South Australia, Space, and Renewable Energy through reading and creative design. Since its launch in 2016, the competition has grown significantly, with over 3,000 entries received last year alone. To enter, students read a themed book and create a response inspired by their learning. Entries close Friday 19 June 2026. Find out more here. 

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RACI D.R. Stranks Memorial Lecture

26 May | 4:30–5:30pm |

Free (in-person & online)


Designed for chemistry teachers and SACE Stage 2 students, this year’s lecture explores the next generation of solar cells and their role in renewable energy, climate change and materials science. Presented by Professor Sam Stranks (University of Cambridge), the session links directly to Monitoring the Environment and Managing Resources, while unpacking key concepts including bonding and nanomaterials. Attend at Adelaide University or via Zoom. Find out more here. 

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Think Science! 2026 – Bringing Science Skills Together

Think Science! returns in 2026, offering students an exciting opportunity to explore the many skills used in real-world science. Hosted by Flinders University, this interactive event connects students with scientists, researchers and STEM professionals through hands-on activities, demonstrations and career insights. Designed to highlight the diversity of science pathways, the program helps students see how classroom learning translates into future study and careers. It’s a fantastic chance to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists. Find out more here. 

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National Science Week Booklet

The 2026 National Science Week Schools Resource Book is now available, supporting this year’s theme, “Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all”. Aligned with the United Nations International Year of Women Farmers and Rangelands and Pastoralists, the resource explores how agricultural practices have evolved to support food security, while highlighting the importance of growing scientific understanding in every classroom. Packed with hands-on activities, experiments, and curriculum-aligned lesson ideas, it’s a valuable tool to inspire curiosity and engagement in STEM. Download your copy here. 

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National Survey: Out-of-field Teaching (SCOPE-T Project)

SASTA members are invited to contribute to a national ARC-funded study exploring professional education for teachers working out-of-field. This research aims to better understand how professional learning, school priorities and policy shape opportunities for teachers to build capability and re-specialise. The anonymous survey is open to secondary teachers, with an optional follow-up interview. Insights will help inform future support and pathways for educators. Learn more and participate via the survey link here. 

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Physics Skills Enhancement Micro-credential

Starts 18 May 2026 | Fee waivers available


Flinders University is offering its third intake of this online micro-credential for teachers of all backgrounds, with 25 Australian Government-funded fee waiver places available. Designed to build confidence and capability in physics, the course combines flexible online learning with two in-person lab days (11–12 June). Participants will strengthen practical skills, explore hands-on teaching approaches, and gain a formal university credential. Find out more here. 

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First Nations’ Histories and Cultures in Mathematics & STEM

30 June | 8:45am–3:30pm


Join the South Australian Museum and CSER Maths in Schools for this full-day workshop exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures in Mathematics and STEM. Designed for R–10 teachers, the day includes a guided gallery tour, hands-on Deadly Science Fish Traps activity, and connections to digital tools including VR and AR. Participants will receive lesson plans and resources to support curriculum planning. Find out more here. 

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Soil Week Australia Schools Competition

The 2026 Healthy Soils Competition is now open, inviting students from preschool to Year 10 to creatively explore this year’s theme, “Soil Matters: Its Importance to Our Food and Environment”. Students can submit a wide range of digital entries, from videos and artwork to stories and infographics, showcasing their understanding of soil and sustainability. With fantastic prizes on offer and every participant receiving a certificate, it’s a great opportunity to engage students in real-world environmental science. Entries close 25 September 2026. Find out more. 

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