Events

UPCOMING EVENTS! The Islands: an open-ended virtual environment used to facilitate research Staff and students are invited to attend a presentation by Dr Michael Bulmer from the School of Mathematics and Physics, about The Islands, an open-ended virtual environment that has been used to facilitate student research projects in a statistics curriculum. Students are able to conduct experiments using a population of virtual humans as subjects. Dr Bulmer will give a tour of The Islands and discuss uses at UQ and at other institutions. The presentation will be held on Monday 29 May from 11am–12pm at the Centre for Digital Scholarship training room, Level 5, Duhig Tower. For more information, go to https://web.library.uq.edu.au/locations-hours/centre-digital-scholarship or email cds@library.uq.edu.au. PD for teachers from Domabotics - workshops for teachers to assist you to integrate Information and Communication Technologies into your class - Workshops cost $275+GST per Teacher and run from 9am - 3pm. Term 1 /2 - 2017 Workshop Dates    Rockhampton  14th March - Beyond the Basics: EV3  15th March - Intro to Scratch Programming Adelaide  21st March - Introduction to Robotics: EV3 22nd March - Beyond the Basics: EV3 23rd March - Intro to Scratch Programming Brisbane 22nd May - Introduction to Robotics: EV3 23rd May - Beyond the Basics: EV3 24th May - Introduction to Arduinos Cairns  14th June - Introduction to Robotics: EV3 15th June - Beyond the Basics: EV3 16th June - Intro to Scratch Programming  MORE INFO at the Domabotics website This conference provides the opportunity to disseminate and discuss current research, good practice, emerging initiatives and leading edge ideas that are aimed at enhancing students’ tertiary learning experiences. Discussion on a wide variety of subjects is encouraged and focuses on the following topics: Students – who are they, what are their needs, what works for different cohorts, strategies for broader social inclusion and increasing participation in tertiary education, participation of first nation peoples Transitions – pathways to tertiary education, transitions into (the first year experience) during (work integrated learning) and from tertiary education including graduate employability, and capstone experiences Achievement – strategies promoting student achievement including curricular and co-curricular reform, employability, gamification and simulation enhanced learning Retention – program, discipline, whole of institution, inter-institutional and sector collaborations designed to improve student retention, threshold skills and concepts Success – student engagement, technology enhanced learning, understanding students expectations and realities, psychological wellbeing, application of learning analytics Call for Submissions - deadline extended to 6 February 2017 Find out more ... Register Your Interest Calling all scientists, researchers, science communicators, academics, inventors, entrepreneurs, panellists, Street Science participants, artists, and all those with a passion of the scientific kind. We invite you to register your interest in participating in the 2017 Festival from  22 – 26 March. Register your interest here. Take a look at the 2016 Festival highlights. BEAN2016 DECEMBER 11-13 UQ Women in STEMM networking lunch Interested staff are invited to a networking lunch for women in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine), sponsored by the School of Mathematics and Physics, the Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems and the Centre for All-sky Astrophysics. This lunch brings together women from across academia and industry in Brisbane - all students and staff are welcome to attend. The lunch will be held at Mu’Ooz in West End on Wednesday 23 November from 12–2pm. Tickets are available here. CreateWorld Call for Participation CreateWorld encourages paper, poster, exhibition and performance submissions relating to our 2016 topic, The Creativity of Things. Other submissions will be considered, but we strongly recommend taking the topic in mind. Our goal is to develop a strong, productive conversation amongst all attendees. Current developments in computing all address in different ways extended presence made possible by new technological platforms—cloud computing, virtual reality, the Internet of Things. For CreateWorld 2016 we will take a closer look at how the simple life of objects, and the ways in which humans interact with them, is being reimagined by current practitioners in the overlapping fields of technology, art, and design. Proposals can include a focus on new technologies, techniques or approaches in theoretical or practical aspects of the digital arts including photography, cyber-art, music, e-learning, film, animation and design. Submissions that relate to or make use of Apple technology are more likely to be selected than those that do not. One of the highlights on the Australian Institute of Physics’ (AIP’s) calendar is its biennial Congress, where physicists from all over Australia and overseas come together for a week-long program of plenary, keynote and contributed talks, social events, and the opportunity to network. We are delighted to announce that the next (22nd) such Congress will take place in the vibrant and progressive city of Brisbane from 4-8 December, 2016. Brisbane is a significant physics ‘hub’, with major research facilities and groups at the University of Queensland, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, and the nearby University of Southern Queensland. Furthermore, and most importantly, the Congress will be held in conjunction with the 13th Asian-Pacific Physics Conference, the triennial meeting of the Association of Asia-Pacific Physics Societies that brings together physicists from across the entire Asia-Pacific region. This will be the first time that both meetings have been held jointly, and is certain to enrich the scientific program, as well as facilitate new links to be made between the Australian physics community and those throughout the Asia-Pacific region – something that is a high priority for the Australian Institute of Physics. We are also very pleased that these two joint meetings will incorporate the Annual Meeting of the Australian Optical Society. We very much look forward to your attendance at this joint 13th Asia Pacific Physics Conference and 22nd Australian Institute of Physics Congress and making it an outstanding success, both scientifically and collegially. Warrick Couch Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop AIP President and Meeting Co-Chair READ MORE  Meeting Co-chair STAQ STEEAgMM Conference  5-8th December at UQ St Lucia The Science Teachers’ Association of Qld invites secondary teachers of Science, Technology, Engineering, Environment and Earth Science, Agriculture, Marine Studies and Mathematics to attend this event to support their professional learning. The conference will be hosted at the University of Queensland over 4 days. Come for one day or multiple days – registrations for multiple days receive a 10% discount (code: DiscountPD2016). Choose from over 50 workshops and hear from 8 keynote speakers over the 4 days. Click on the links below to find more information on each day. Monday 5th December :                Environment – Agricultural Science, Marine Science, Earth Science, Geography Tuesday  6th December :               Science – Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Science 21 Wednesday 7th December :          Mathematics – Junior and Senior secondary Thursday 8th December:               Technology – Aerospace Studies, Engineering Technology, Graphics, IT, Home Economics Members of the following associations receive a reduced rate:  Qld Agriculture Teachers’ Association (QATA) Geography Teachers’ Association of Qld (GTAQ) Marine Teachers’ Association of Qld (MTAQ) Qld Society of IT Educators (QSITE) Design and Technology Teachers’ Association of Qld (DATTA) Science Teachers’ Association of Qld (STAQ)  Qld Association of Mathematics Teachers (QAMT) Qld Education Science Technicians (QEST). Also heavily discounted for pre-service teachers. For more details visit http://www.staq.qld.edu.au/pd-events/steeagmm/ children's workshop; robotics workshop Robotics Workshop with Dr Damien Kee - Intermediate 23 Oct 2016 Sunday, 23 October 2016 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm Robotics workshops are an ideal way to captivate young minds and stimulate critical thinking. Robot building and programming teaches a wide range of skills such as problem solving, as well as encouraging team work and cooperation. Students learn a simple programming language and have a robot up and moving within minutes. SEE MORE Call for Abstracts for twin workshop:  "Tools and Mathematics"  and  MESIG2  29 Nov - 1 Dec 2016  :  "Tools and Mathematics: Instruments for Learning" incorporating MESIG2, the second annual meeting of the "Mathematical Educational Software Interest Group".   Dates: Tuesday 29 November - Thursday 1 December 2016  Venue: Lecture theatre ELI 122, University of Newcastle Sydney Campus,  55 Elizabeth Street in the Sydney CBD Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tools-and-mathematics-instruments-for-learning-tickets-27424446257 Abstract submission: https://carma.newcastle.edu.au/meetings/tools/abstractsystem/ Abstract submission deadline: Friday 21 October 2016  We hope that these twin workshops, both instigated by the late Professor Jonathan Borwein, will creatively bring together practitioners and researchers with common interests in education in the mathematical sciences, and in particular how our tool use influences our thinking.   The "Tools and Mathematics: Instruments for Learning" meeting celebrates the publication of a book of the same name by Jonathan Borwein, John Monaghan and Luc Trouche: http://www.springer.com/in/book/9783319023953.   Abstracts for the Tools and Mathematics part of the meeting should be in the spirit of the book, in some capacity exploring the mathematical nexus between research and education, tools and creativity, experimentation and learning.  Abstracts for the MESIG part of the meeting should be driven by examples of the practice of software use in mathematical education.   Further information on the book, abstract submission, and confirmed invited speakers is available on the conference website: https://carma.newcastle.edu.au/meetings/tools/  Please pass this call for abstracts on to colleagues in your networks who may be interested.   The MELT workshop on the Models of Engaged Learning and Teaching will help you address these questions. The MELT reflect and are based on organic adaptations of the Research Skill Development (RSD) framework to numerous other models, including the Work Skill Development framework (for WIL) and Optimising Problem Solving pentagon (made by students for students in Engineering). The workshop facilitates the development of your own MELT that fits your context.  Queensland: 25 November, University of Queensland  South Australia: 30 November, University of Adelaide  Victoria: 1 December, Monash University  New South Wales: 2 December, University of New South Wales  READ MORE Medical Bionics Conference 4th International Conference: Medical Bionics - Convergence science delivering clinical solutions Sunday 20 - Wednesday 23 November, 2016 University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus The Medical Bionics Conference series, hosted by the Bionics Institute, is designed to promote the field of medical bionics and provide a forum for information exchange, networking, and the mentoring of students. The ultimate aim of this meeting is to contribute to the development of new, safe, and effective devices for clinical application. READ MORE... PAST EVENTS Brainstorm on Teacher Preparation Thursday 17 November, 0900 for 0930-1230 Room V714, Queensland University of Technology Building on a brainstorm of educators held in July 2015, the Society and the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (Queensland Division) are jointly hosting a brainstorm on 17 November to focus on the preparation for teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that universities give to their undergraduates in the education faculties. What (if any) reforms are needed to equip trainee teachers to impart passion for STEM amongst their future students? Topics that might be discussed include: •      intake standards; •      STEM content in undergraduate education courses; •      access to field trips that expose prospective teachers to the outdoors; •      exposure to laboratories and experiments that might impart passion for STEM amongst new teachers; •      prerequisites for registration. I am delighted to advise that Prof Ken Wiltshire AO, co-chair of the 2014 Review of the Australian Curriculum has agreed to present the keynote address. Following his address, representatives of the education and science faculties of universities in South East Queensland will make brief presentations generally around the above theme. We would then take the discussion where it led us. Queensland University of Technology has generously booked a room. Neither the Society nor the Academy has a predetermined policy agenda to promote. Our motivation is to bring diverse insights to bear on the problem we all share of the lack of passion for STEM among today’s school leavers and undergraduates. The Curriculum Review is desirable prior reading: https://www.studentsfirst.gov.au/review-australian-curriculum . The event is free but a receptacle will be available for voluntary donations of say $5 per head to cover the cost of catering. Please register attendance at education@royalsocietyqld.org.au for catering and venue management purposes. 2016 Annual Research Showcase The ANFF Annual Research Showcase this year will be held on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 November with a technology training day on Tuesday 15 November at the National Centre for Synchrotron Science (NCSS) building, Australian Synchrotron. This promises to be an exciting event with presentations of the latest ANFF research with a theme of Mind the gap. ANFF is enabling researchers to close the gaps between technological challenges and research outcomes through access to state of the art equipment and fellow researchers across the organisation. We look forward to welcoming you at the event.   Registrations close: 31 October 2016 Abstracts close: 14 October 2016 Program available: 31 October 2016 Technology day: 15 November 2016 Showcase: 16-17 November 2016 MORE INFO AND REGISTRATION What we can learn about learning before there was mass education’ Presenter: Professor Stephen Billett, Education and Professional Studies Griffith Institute for Educational Research Thursday, 17 November 2016 at 4.30pm for afternoon tea - presentation 5.00-6.00pm  Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mount Gravatt Venue: Building M10 Room 5.02/03   RSVP essential by 16 November to: n.lukacs@griffith.edu.au  Cost: FREE Living in schooled societies where education is compulsory and ubiquitous, can make it difficult to realise that across most of learning across human history, and probably individual lives arises without educational provisions and direct teaching. Indeed, across the vast majority of human history, educational provisions were only for a tiny minority of privileged individuals. Teaching, as we know, has only existed for a couple of hundred years. So, given that the many developments, innovations and contributions that have arisen across human history have not been restricted to school societies and the era of teaching raises questions about how that learning has arisen and what lessons does this offer for contemporary times, and, for instance, the lifelong learning agenda or the role of educational institutions and that of educators. Drawing upon a current research project which examines the development of occupational capacities across cultures and history, it has been noted that the development largely occurred through individuals learning, rather than being taught. Indeed, the onus for, impetus by and process through which that learning occurred was and is personally-mediated. Processes of mimesis (observation, imitation and practice) are probably the key mechanisms that have been deployed by humans across the history. In essence, that learning has arisen through an interdependence between the person and the circumstances in which they engage, but only rarely supported directly (as in teaching) by a more expert counterpart. Dr Stephen Billett is Professor of Adult and Vocational Education in the School of Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University, and an Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow. He has worked as a vocational educator, educational administrator, teacher educator, professional development practitioner and policy developer in the Australian vocational education system and as a teacher and researcher at Griffith University. A Fulbright Professional Scholar in 1999, he had an Associate Teaching Fellowship of the Carrick Institute on student agency in 2008, he was awarded a 2009-2010 Australian Learning and Teaching Council National Teaching Fellowship to identify principles and practices to effectively integrate learning experiences in practice and academic settings. Since 2011, he has held an ARC Future Fellowship on learning through practice. In 2013, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Jyvasksla University (Finland) for his contributions to educational science and in 2015 elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences of Australia. A GATHERING OF MINDS 15 November 2016 Dockside Pavilion  Darling Harbour  Sydney  Tickets are AU$520 + GST  The world is changing. Technology is transforming the human experience, medicine is overturning long-held beliefs about what it means to be human, while scientific breakthroughs alter our understanding of our world, ourselves and our place within it. On 15 November 2016, the editors of BBC Future will be joined by some of the world’s most fascinating thinkers to explore these important global changes in a live setting. This is your opportunity to join the BBC for a day like no other – to listen to thought-provoking talks, to see and experience cutting-edge technology, and to share a conversation with the people who are defining our future. READ MORE Conference Details: 30 October – 3 November 2016 Sandon Point Tent Embassy and the University of Wollongong Prices – Full General Registration $550 / General 1 Day Registration $250 / Full Community Registration $195 / Community 1 Day Registration $95 Conference Page The official conference page, including bookings: http://atsimanational.ning.com/events The official conference Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/927789187349379/ The official conference Twitter account: https://www.twitter.com/ATSIMA16 Supporter pack http://www.iscariotmedia.com/clients/atsima-conference-2016/ Merson Lecture 2016 A Deep Dive into Deep Learning Professor Terrence Sejnowski Wednesday, October 26, 2016 - 17:00 to 19:15 Details Lecture 5.00pm – 6.00pm Cocktail party 6.00pm – 7.15pm Where:           Queensland Brain Institute, Building 79, The University of Queensland, St Lucia campus RSVP:  http://qbi.uq.edu.au/merson Abstract Deep Learning is an approach to artificial intelligence that is inspired by the hierarchy of cortical areas in our visual system. It has transformed speech recognition, picture captioning and many other difficult problems such as playing board games like Go. This lecture will explore the background that led to these advances and the challenges that lie ahead in achieving intelligent behaviour. About the speaker Terrence Sejnowski is a pioneer in computational neuroscience and his goal is to understand the principles that link brain to behaviour. His laboratory uses both experimental and modeling techniques to study the biophysical properties of synapses and neurons and the population dynamics of large networks of neurons. He has published over 500 scientific papers and 14 books, including The Computational Brain.  He received his PhD in Physics from Princeton and is currently an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a Distinguished Professor at the University of California at San Diego and holds the Francis Crick Chair at The Salk Institute.  Sejnowski is the President of the Neural Information Processing Systems (NIPS) Foundation, the premier conference on machine learning and neural computation.  He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Engineering.  He was instrumental in shaping the BRAIN Initiative that was announced by the White House in 2013 and served on the Working Group of the Advisory Committee to the Director of NIH for the BRAIN Initiative. About the lecture The lecture is named in honour of Dr David Merson, founder and ex-CEO of Mincom Limited. Since retiring, David has become director of a range of organisations and charitable institutions. He is a member of QBI’s Advisory Board and was the inaugural Chair of the QBI Development Board. His philanthropic sponsorship of this lecture is indicative of a strong community interest in neuroscience and the inspiring research that is being done in the area of neurological and mental diseases.  Join us at the Queensland University of Technology for an up close and personal QandA with Brisbane's top female STEM researchers over breakfast. This event is open to all to discuss the opportunities and challenges of women with careers in STEM. Event schedule: •7:15 - 7:30am: Event registration, pre-seminar breakfast and networking •7:30 - 8:30am: Main presentation •8:30 - 9:00am: Post-event breakfast and networking  READ MORE Implementing STEM Education This conference will offer practical methods of delivering STEM at your school. Teachers will explore proven ways of implementing a trans-disciplinary approach to STEM that aligns with industry skill needs and empowers educators. Through best practice examples, you will take away simple cost and time effective STEM ideas for you to implement with ease. From: Monday 24th of October 2016  To  Wednesday 26th of October 2016  Venue | Location CQ Melbourne  MORE DETAILS HERE  UQ School of Mathematics & Physics Teaching Seminar When: Wednesday 19 October Time: 1.00 pm Where: 3 - 309 UQ St Lucia Title: What's new on the Islands   Speakers: Michael Bulmer (Mathematics) & Nerina Scarinci (HABS) Abstract: The Islands provide an open-ended virtual environment that has been used to facilitate student research projects in a statistics curriculum. A new version of this world was launched in 2015, featuring a major overhaul of both the interface and the underlying simulation, and in 2016 we have collaborated on a new research methodology course for Therapies students in which an Islands project formed a core part of the assessment. In this seminar we’ll give an overview of the new Islands and some of the innovative ways it is being used in teaching and learning. Delicious treats will be provided.  All welcome!   http://www.smp.uq.edu.au/teaching-seminars   22nd UniServe Science Conference Supported by Australian Council of Deans of Science TL Centre The Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (ACSME) is an opportunity for tertiary science and mathematics educators to share ideas and keep up to date. Science and mathematics for this conference encompasses biological sciences, chemistry, geosciences, health sciences, information technology, learning and cognitive sciences, mathematics and statistics, molecular and microbial sciences, physics and psychology as well as the various fields of the applied sciences. Date and location: The conference will be from Wednesday 28 September to Friday 30 September 2016 in Brisbane, Australia – just prior to ComBio 2016 conference. THEME: The 21st Century Science Graduate: What is the place of our STEM graduates in the world? How do we prepare them? Sub-themes: Networking and collaboration, technology-enhanced learning, digital literacy, industry engagement, community engagement, work integrated learning (WIL), transferable skills, employability, communication in science & mathematics. A/Prof Susan Rowland (UQ – Chair) A/Prof Gwendolyn Lawrie (UQ) Stephanie Beames (UQ) – Contact: s.beames@uq.edu.au Science Pathways 2016: Future Leaders https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/events/science-pathways-2016-future-leaders The EMCR Forum’s fourth national meeting, Science Pathways 2016: Future Leaders, will be held in Sydney at UNSW on September 26-27, 2016. The event will bring together EMCRs and scientific leaders from academia, industry and government. As Australia’s National Innovation and Science Agenda and Chief Scientist have highlighted, our scientific industries can no longer prosper in isolation. Instead, the next generation of science leaders must be skilled in working across science sectors, collaborating with academic institutions, private companies, government and NGOs. This meeting will provide insights from nationally and internationally recognised leaders who will explain what leadership in their industry means, and how to develop yourself as a leader in their sector. EMCRs will be provided with opportunities to network with other future leaders from different backgrounds, and share their ideas on how to shape Australia’s scientific and innovative future. QLD Department of Education and Training  Research Showcase Uncovering the formula for maths success - student-level and school-level performance When & Where Tuesday 20 September 2016 10:00am – 12:00pm Conference Room, Level12 30 Mary Street Brisbane 4000 Presenting: This two part research forum explores the activities as well as characteristics of school and education programs that enhance mathematics performance Presentation 1   Developing Spatial Reasoning Skills Increases Students' Mathematics Performance (Professor Tom Lowrie) Spatial ability is considered to be an essential general numeracy capability in the Australian Curriculum. The session will consider the value of promoting and developing students' spatial reasoning skills, particularly spatial visualisation, mental rotation, and spatial orientation. Activities within the session will highlight the psychological constructs of these spatial skills, present activities that promote the skills within the mathematics curriculum and consider the general numeracy capability across other domains (including out-of-school contexts). Presentation 2   Towards an evidence base for best practice in mathematics education (Professor Merrilyn Goos) In 2015 the Office of the Chief Scientist commissioned a study to identify strategies and characteristics of schools that demonstrated successful outcomes in NAPLAN numeracy. Case studies were conducted in 52 different successful schools, and survey responses were collected from more than 200 teachers, 100 school leaders, and 1000 students. Successful schools – primary, secondary and combined – were located in every state and territory, in the government, Catholic and Independent school sectors, and across a broad range of socio-economic levels. Successful schools were found to have a consistent and positive focus on mathematics across the school, in classrooms, and with individuals. There was no single teaching approach or program that led to success in mathematics. This presentation aims to stimulate discussion on characteristics of successful schools and what can (and cannot) be learned from studies such as this. Please RSVP your attendance by Wednesday 14 September 2016 to research.stratpol@dete.qld.gov.au Unable to attend? No problem! Attend via web conference Register your interest at research.stratpol@dete.qld.gov.au Refreshments will be available during the event ART MEETS SCIENCE EXHIBITION Come and see the 2016 Art Meets Science Exhibition of artists, Alinta Krauth, Kay Lawrence, Jeanette Stok and Donna Davis from the 2016 Artist in Residence Science Program with DSITI scientists. Plus 12 other Queensland artists with works with an art-science connection. Note – weekdays only.   Monday, August 8 2016 till Friday, September 2 2016. 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM Ecosciences Precinct 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD, 4102 Topic:    Environment and nature Cost:    Free Other:    Wheelchair access READ MORE Wednesday 24 Aug 2016 1pm - 2pm Senior Theatre Chemistry (Building 153) Parkville Campus Saving Earth, Populating Mars: Learning affordances of a game-based 3D Virtual EnvironmentInnovations in Teaching and Learning Computer games can be powerful learning tools, increasing student interest and their motivation to learn. Student feedback on the subject Land Administration Systems (GEOM30013) often included a desire to experience social, environmental, and economic issues related to land in a less theoretical manner. In response to this feedback, we developed a game based 3D Virtual Environment (VE) called Saving Earth, Populating Mars through a University Teaching and Learning Initiative grant in 2013. READ MORE Biofoundry is Australia’s first open access molecular biology laboratory for the general public. Biofoundry runs courses for enthusiasts and curious amateurs, to house and facilitate realisation of proof-of-concept start-ups, allow for development of practical skills for undergraduate science students, and exist as a focus point for the interaction of the general community with a molecular understanding of the environment. Biofoundry exists to democratise science by lowering the financial and technological entry barrier to science education and research training.  Genspace is a cutting-edge non-profit community laboratory located in New York City, dedicated to promoting citizen science and acces to biotechnology. A wide range of programs have been designed to engage the community, including hands-on courses, cultural events, educational outreach and extracurricular experiences for students. Genspace also encourages and facilitates scientific entrepreneaurship, particularly in the fields of molecular and synthetic biology.  FIND OUT MORE ... University of the Sunshine Coast and the MAthematics Teachers Hub on the Sunshine Coast (MATHS) invite you to a presentation and discussion on The New Senior Mathematics Syllabi Q&A With Theo Clark Manager, Mathematics Review and Transition Branch Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority When: Thursday 18th August, 2016 Time: 4:00 for networking and afternoon tea 4:30 for Presentation and Q&A Where: “H2” building, First floor, Room 1.03, University of the Sunshine Coast Cost: Free! Please RSVP to Dr Margaret Marshman: mmarshma@usc.edu.au for catering Campus map available: http://www.usc.edu.au/explore/campus/maps-transport-and-parking/maps New Horizons: Art For Complex Times Panel discussion for National Science Week Speakers: Dr Keith Amstrong Dr William Gladstone (School of Life Sciences, UTS) Dr Jeremy Walker (Social Inquiry Program, UTS) Dr Tania Leimbach (Institute For Sustainable Futures, UTS [chair]) Despite much positive work done, our species remains as unsustainable as ever. While design has done some significant thinking in this area (think Futuring or Transition Design) the broader arts has largely approached ecological crises as a transient thematic or a specialised field for the few, often limited by woolly aim of ‘raising consciousness’. Clearly it hasn’t worked. What does a new kind of science/arts partnership look like that can engage across the disciplines and help shift this deep-seated stasis? This panel brings together world leading theorists, artists of different persuasions and design thinkers to engage the big question – if science can only do so much – what kind of help can the arts bring now, and consequently what new kinds of practitioners do we need to train and evolve? http://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-science/events/new-horizons-art-complex-times When 18 August 2016 6:00 pm Where City - Broadway›CB06 UTS Gallery - Peter Johnson Building, Building 6 Map Join us for a discussion on how university, industry and governments can work together to strengthen our existing industries and create new opportunities to diversify our economy. Professor Neal Ryan’s academic and industrial experiences provide a balanced analysis of the contemporary policies on science, technology and innovation and a framework for a national system of innovation to successfully transition to a knowledge-based economy. Dr. David Tuffley will extend on these themes by investigating the nexus between technology and society and how new technologies work with the society. WHEN:    17 August 2016 TIME:     5.30 – 7.00pm networking drinks and canapes after event COST: FREE VENUE: Gold Coast – Griffith University G42 4.23 Business Building BOOKING: Seat reservations required The UTS Faculty of Science is kicking off National Science Week with a lunchtime event celebrating our women in science. We would love to see you all at this interactive lunchtime forum, which is being organised by the AWiS (Academic Women in Science) group in conjunction with UTS Library and Equity & Diversity Unit. When: 12.15 - 2pm, Monday 15 August 2016 (forum begins at 12.30) Where: Events Space, Level 2, UTS Library (bring UTS ID card for entry) RSVP:  Jackie Edwards (Library) by 11 August 2016 Bring your lunch: drinks and light refreshments provided. READ MORE ... Indigenous Sciences: A Symposium … of Sorts Powerhouse Museum 500 Harris Street, Ultimo Saturday 13 August, 10am–5pm Sunday 14 August, 10am–3pm  This gathering brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academics, theorists, researchers, designers, engineers, educators and students from across the community. It provides an important opportunity to shape future research and investigations that are focused on exploring and sharing the sophistication, richness and leadership of Australia’s First Peoples within the scientific domain. The program will feature a range of key-note and panel presentations. A final plenary session will work to establish a series of recommendations around knowledge protocols and actions to advance partnerships, information sharing, research and development. Tickets Adult: $120.00 Concession: $100.00 Enquiries marcus.hughes@maas.museum (02) 9217 0184 READ MORE ...  Overcoming students’ misconceptions in STEM disciplines - Innovations in Teaching and Learning Wednesday 10 August 2016,  Theatre A Old Arts Parkville Campus, Uni Melbourne The conceptual nature of STEM disciplines means that students often start a subject with incorrect scientific assumptions. Misconceptions can be difficult to overcome, particularly in large classes where correcting them through personalised feedback is difficult or impossible. The presenters will discuss their development of a suite of active learning and student-centred teaching approaches that can be applied in large class settings to confront students’ misconceptions and bring about conceptual change. They will do so in the context of a large, second year Biochemistry and Molecular Biology subject, with the aim of eventually broadening the approach to include psychology and computer sciences. Preliminary data on successful methods to break strongly-held student misconceptions in large classes will also be outlined. READ MORE and Register National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology and thousands of individuals – from students, to scientists to chefs and musicians – get involved, taking part in more than 1000 science events across the nation. Science Week is designed for everyone – it’s definitely not restricted to schools and universities – with events and activities and talks and shows for every age group. It provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of Australian scientists’ to the world of knowledge. It also aims to encourage an interest in science pursuits among the general public, and to encourage younger people to become fascinated by the world we live in. QLD seed grants for National Science Week! The Queensland National Science Week Co-ordinating Committee will award several grants of up to $2500 to develop and deliver new events, activities or programs for National Science Week.  See more ...  to witness amazing feats of memory! Every hour on the hour people can step up and demonstrate how well they have remembered the decimal places of π. Some fun facts:  π is an irrational number – its decimal representation is without end. The decimal places of π have no repeating patterns.     The world record for remembering π is held by Chao Lu at more than 67000 places!! The Sunshine Coast record is a very beatable 74. The first thousand decimal places of π : 3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749445923078164062 862089986280348253421170679821480865132823066470938446095505822317253594081 284811174502841027019385211055596446229489549303819644288109756659334461284 756482337867831652712019091456485669234603486104543266482133936072602491412 737245870066063155881748815209209628292540917153643678925903600113305305488 204665213841469519415116094330572703657595919530921861173819326117931051185 480744623799627495673518857527248912279381830119491298336733624406566430860 213949463952247371907021798609437027705392171762931767523846748184676694051 320005681271452635608277857713427577896091736371787214684409012249534301465 495853710507922796892589235420199561121290219608640344181598136297747713099 605187072113499999983729780499510597317328160963185950244594553469083026425 223082533446850352619311881710100031378387528865875332083814206171776691473 035982534904287554687311595628638823537875937519577818577805321712268066130 019278766111959092164201989……… The second STEM Teacher Conference at the University of Wollongong http://www.uow.edu.au/~sandison/stemconf.html Saturday, 6 August 2016   McKinnon Building (Building 67) The theme of this conference is 'Cross Pollinating the Curriculum’ and is for practising STEM discipline secondary teachers. The conference provides delegates with practical ideas for the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines at high schools (e.g. using science in a mathematics class, using mathematics in an engineering class). Back for 2016 providing more ideas for cross pollinating the curriculum from highly regarded practitioners in STEM education, it is our privilege to announce that Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has accepted our invitation to open the conference with a keynote address. It is our hope that he will inspire you to pursue the wonders of the STEM disciplines.All STEM teachers from middle primary to secondary school are welcome to attend. Numbers will be limited by the size of our venue. Proudly supported by IMSITE@UOW and the University of Wollongong. #crosspollinate b        #STEMEd b        #@UOW  Contact Sue Denny AUGUST 6 2016 SAGE Pilot of Athena SWAN Introduction UQ would like to invite all STEMM staff to a presentation from the SAGE Executive Director, Dr Wafa El-Adhami, to introduce the SAGE Pilot on Thursday 4 August. UQ is excited to be participating in the SAGE Pilot of the Athena SWAN program, which aims to address the under-representation of women in STEMM disciplines using a rigorous, evidence-based accreditation framework. The forum will be on Thursday 4 August from 2–3pm, in Sir Llew Edwards Building room 212. RSVP is essential and can be emailed to to Jordan Tredinnick. For more information, click here.     Picture is from “Unclaimed Treasures of Science” By Rebecca Onion in Slate Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Symposium 2016 Friday, 24 June 2016   Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney The SAGE Symposium is the highlight of the SAGE Pilot of Athena SWAN in Australia, an equity and diversity evaluation and accreditation program that has seen significant results in the UK, and is now being trialled in Australia.  Thirty-two of Australia’s most respected STEMM organisations are taking part in the SAGE Pilot. This includes half of the Australian higher education sector (25 universities), five medical research institutions and two publicly funded research agencies. STEMS: Putting Statistics into STEM in the Age of Data , 2-3 June 2016 WHAT:              STEMS-Two-day colloquium and workshop for primary-secondary-tertiary educators, government and industry leaders and all interested parties WHEN:              2 – 3 June, 2016 WHERE:            University of Technology Sydney REGISTRATION:   Fee $120 (closes 26 May). For registration, please click here. School teachers can attend for FREE.  READ MORE at STEMS2016.com - includes speakers & representatives from: Harvard University, Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Qantas ACARA, ACEMS, ABS, AMSI, NSW BOSTES, SSA and will include a Panel Discussion session including Q&A floor discussion, followed by exploration of ideas and a workshop to develop and initiate a plan of action for progressing Statistics education in Australia. UQ Interaction Design Exhibit 2016 May 31, 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm  Learn more and Register User experience design, or UX, is changing the way we connect with products, services and each other! Experience new ways to interact with digital technology in this rapidly evolving field at UQ’s 2016 Interaction Design Exhibit! View interactive prototypes developed by UQ’s Bachelor of Information Technology (User Experience Design), Bachelor of Multimedia Design, and Master of Interaction Design students from the course Physical Computing and Interaction Design Studio. The studio theme is ‘Designing for playful and open-ended interactions in everyday life’. Within this broad brief projects will focus on designing for a human value (e.g. social connection, well-being, curiosity), in a specific context. Don’t miss a great opportunity to see how user experience design professionals bridge the gap between the physical and digital world! STEMed  - a one day festival of education for the future STEMed sessions feature leading industry experts speaking on current technological industry advances & future technologies.......you won't believe what's coming! Sunday 29 May, 2016 10am-3:30pm. Royal International Convention Centre, RNA Showgrounds Science at the Shine Dome 2016 In May each year, Australia’s foremost physical and biological scientists gather to honour outstanding work in science. At Science at the Shine Dome, national awards are made, high achievers are admitted to Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science, and there is a high-powered symposium on an issue of national importance. In addition, the meeting aims to enthuse and educate young researchers. This highlight of the annual science calendar in Australia will be held on 24–26 May 2016 at the unique National Heritage-listed Shine Dome in Canberra, which has been strongly associated with science in Australia since it was built in 1959. The three-day program of Science at the Shine Dome is live-streamed on the web, communicated through Twitter and Facebook, and covered by online and traditional news media outlets, allowing an unlimited audience to participate. For more details please see the Program Registration  US - Australia Enabling Technologies Technical Exchange Meeting 23 - 25 May 2016 | University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia To build on the strong history of science and technology collaboration between the United States and Australia, the 2016 Enabling Technologies Technical Exchange Meeting will be held in Sydney, Australia in May 2016. The purpose of the technical exchange is to explore and potentially develop new areas of basic research collaboration between Australian and US participants. This meeting is being held under the auspices of the United States-Australia Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Science and Technology. The three overarching technical thrusts are: - Materials Science - Physics - Biomedical Sciences US participation will include the Department of Defense and other US science agencies as well as academic researchers. Australian researchers are now invited to submit abstracts for inclusion in the program. Deadline: Friday 25 March 2016 2nd Newcastle Mathematics Educators' Conference: For Maths' sake: Let's stay connected!  Friday 24 June, 2016,  Lecture Theatre V203, HPE Building, Callaghan campus See: https://imsite.newcastle.edu.au/nmec2.html In response to the positive feedback and outcomes from the 2015 Newcastle Mathematics Educators' Conference in 2015, the University of Newcastle's IMSITE team will be hosting a follow-up conference this year. For further information contact Edwina Butler on (02) 49216518 or Edwina.Butler@newcastle.edu.au Beginning & Pre-service Teachers Conference Thursday, 19 May 2016 from 4pm CSIRO Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park Registrations are open Register HERE Bring a friend for FREE! Thanks to the generosity of our major sponsors (Smart Teachers, Queensland Teachers' Union, ANZUK, PIEFA, IMSITE), STAQ are pleased to offer one free registration with each fully paid registration. If you have already registered, you may enter details for a second, free attendee using the booking system. Places are limited, so grab a friend and take advantage of this offer before it's too late! Teachers in their first five years of teaching and pre-service teachers are invited to attend the STAQ Beginning and Pre-Service Teachers’ Conference, featuring an engaging keynote and workshops structured for beginning teachers.  http://www.staq.qld.edu.au/beginning-pre-service-teacher/ OLT CONFERENCE 2016 http://oltconference2016.com.au/index.asp?IntCatId=14 LEARNING AND TEACHING 2030: COLLABORATING TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF LEARNING AND TEACHING 28-29 APRIL 2016, MELBOURNE The Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) leads quality improvement in learning and teaching through a suite of grants, fellowships and awards. To meet the rapidly changing demands on the delivery of tertiary education, participants at this conference will explore: What higher education teaching and learning will look like in 2030, key changes to achieve this, and enabling strategies to make change. Free public forum - Our Amazing Immune System (28th April, 6pm - 8pm) Day of Immunology 2016 | Translational Research Institute http://www.tri.edu.au/event/day-immunology-2016 Mobile Autonomy a Pervasive Technology: From Self-Driving Cars to Mars – Why Robotics Matters Professor Paul Newman (University of Oxford) WHEN: Friday 15 April, 3.30–4.45pm, followed by light refreshments WHERE: The Kindler Theatre (P-421), Level 4, P Block, QUT Gardens Point (map) BOOKINGS: Please register if you would like to attend. This is a free public lecture. Please note that the lecture is not being live-streamed. OVERVIEW The machines are coming and it’s going to be good. We won’t have to drive ourselves when tired, schlep stuff around warehouses, be bored on tractors, choke in mines, freeze on Mars, or miss broken pipes in nuclear inspections. If we so choose, the coming years will see machines doing more for us and doing it better. In this talk, Professor Newman will pull apart some of the competencies needed to build “intelligent” self-driving vehicles. He’ll explain what makes it hard, what makes it exciting and how it all comes together in a glorious bit of robotics science. He’d like lots of questions too. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Paul Newman is the BP Professor of Information Engineering at the University of Oxford and an EPSRC Leadership Fellow. He heads the Mobile Robotics Group within the Department of Engineering Science, which enjoys a world-leading reputation in mobile autonomy – developing machines, robots and cars which map, navigate through and understand their environments. His focus lies on pushing the boundaries of navigation and autonomy techniques in terms of both endurance and scale. The Mobile Robotics Group has developed a keen focus on intelligent transport – for example, the RobotCar – and enjoys collaborations with many industrial partners, which provide exploitation opportunities to drive the research.  In 2014 he founded Oxbotica – a spinout company focussed on robotics and autonomous systems – and was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, with a citation for outstanding contributions to robot navigation.    Call for speakers open for Soapbox Science Brisbane 2016 Soapbox Science is a science outreach event that promotes the visibility of women in science and bring cutting edge research to the streets. This year, for the first time, it is coming to Brisbane. We are looking for women working in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM), from PhD students to professors, and from entry-level researchers to entrepreneurs, who are passionate about their work and want to spread the word. Apply today to increase the visibility of your research, help break down stereotypes, engage with the wider public, and experience a new and fun way to communicate your science. Email Alienor Chauvenet for more information. Mathematics Teachers’ Alumni Conference - SUSMAC 2016 Faculty of Education and Social Work Using and applying Mathematics to solve problems FRIDAY 1 APRIL 2016 | 9AM TO 3PM Education Building, Camperdown Campus The University of Sydney | http://goo.gl/maps/iVSwR Registration FREE | Please register by 23 March http://www.sydney.nicheit.com.au/education_ social_work/register.php?wsid=ws0694   Invitation to Faculty of Science Athena SWAN forum The role of Athena SWAN supporting women in STEM

Come and hear two highly distinguished UK experts discuss their experience with the Athena SWAN gender equality program at a lunchtime forum.

Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott  is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Microbiology, currently Pro Vice-Chancellor at Swansea University. In addition to her senior executive responsibilities in strategic development, she is the university lead in Equality and Diversity. Hilary is the current chair of the Athena SWAN Strategy Group at Swansea University, and has been an invited speaker to Athena SWAN best practice conferences in the UK.

Ms Pamela Milne is Director of Organisational Change at Dundee University, and has been centrally involved in the university's highly successful Athena SWAN initiative.

UTS is a member of the Athena SWAN pilot in Australia - a project with university-wide impact. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear about the project in operation.

Date: Monday 22 February
Location: CB06.06.115 (DAB classroom, level 6, Building 6)    
Time: 12.00 – 1.30pm (light lunch available)
RSVP: Sybille Frank by Wednesday 17 February

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Teaching with Technology: some examples on how to

The last meeting for 2015 was excellent. The Teaching with Technology Show and Tell started a conversation about the technologies that some teachers are using to develop mathematical concepts but left people asking more questions. Some of the speakers have volunteered to run 30 minute sessions on how to use the technology. 

Please come and listen to your colleagues share examples of how to use activities and tasks from their classrooms.

• GeoGebra with Iain Dunbar: Mountain Creek State High School
• Graphmatica with Maree Fitzsimmons: Nambour Christian College
• Educreations with Penny Horton-Stephens: Matthew Flinders Anglican College

When: Thursday 25th February, 2016

Time: 4:30 – 6:30pm

Where: “E” building, Ground floor, Room G.18, University of the Sunshine Coast

Cost: Free!

Please RSVP to Dr Margaret Marshman: mmarshma@usc.edu.au for catering

Campus map available: http://www.usc.edu.au/explore/campus/maps-transport-and-parking/maps

https://www.facebook.com/groups/sunshinecoastmathsnetwork/

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REGISTER FOR THE 2016 HIGHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE

There is still time to register for Universities Australia's 2016 Higher Education Conference from 9 to 11 March in Canberra.

Organised by the sector for the sector, it is Australia's pre-eminent higher education event.
This year's conference will have a particular emphasis on universities and innovation at a time of economic and social transformation.

Join university leaders, academics, researchers, policy makers, business and many more.

Satellite events open to the public  https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/uaconf2016/338631/

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“Nanotechnology - Exciting New Advances”

Presented by Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc.

Morning Tea will be served at half time which gives time for discussion.

Wednesday 16 March 2016, 10.00am

It will be appreciated if your registration is received by 10.00am on Friday 11 March 2016.

Guest Speaker: Professor Matt Trau

Download more information and the registration form.

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Free Mathematics Education Workshop ­ ANZIAM 2016

As part of the Australian and New Zealand Industrial and Applied
Mathematics (ANZIAM) conference next year a mathematics education
workshop will be held at the QT Hotel, Canberra on Tuesday 9th of
February 2016 , from 4pm ­ 6pm, followed by discussion and drinks
from 6pm ­ 7pm.

This is the first time the ANZIAM conference has included a satellite
workshop on Mathematics Education. The aim of the workshop is to bring
together academics and high school mathematics teachers to discuss and
exchange ideas on mathematics teaching.

The workshop is open freely to all.

http://anziam2016.com/mathematics-education-workshop/

Enquiries to anziam2016@adfa.edu.au

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Day of STEM

The Day of STEM is a national initiative, designed using the LifeJourney™ platform to raise the National IQ for STEM and Cyber Science. The program introduces and inspires all secondary and tertiary education students to pursue STEM careers and build the skills that will open up their future and connect them to the in-demand digital workforce.

http://dayofstem.com.au/

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What has science done for you lately?

Date: Thursday, 10 March 2016
Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Location: The Edge Auditorium, State Library of Queensland
Cost: Single tickets $25.00 per person.

Register

As a partner of the 2016 World Science Festival Brisbane, UQ is proud to showcase this event as part of the festival. 

Our audience will be challenged to try imagining a day without scientific progress. Based on their own remarkable achievements and ongoing endeavours, our panel will demonstrate how science affects us all, every day of the year.

http://www.alumni.uq.edu.au/what-has-science-done

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PRESENTS

http://visualisation.matters.today/

The Visualisation, Big Data, Art and Science Festival 2016 is designed to inspire audiences and demonstrate how mathematical sciences, models and various visualisation techniques are closely linked with creativity, story-telling and artistic expression. The event is organised by ACEMS and will be held on 18-19 February 2016 at the Gardens Point Campus, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in sunny subtropical Brisbane, Queensland.

Registration is available via the following link. Closing date is February 12, 2016.

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Duration: A residential course over two and a half days.
Dates: Sunday afternoon – Tuesday afternoon, 10‐12 January 2016
Time: 5:30 pm Sunday – 3 pm Tuesday. A draft program is included.
Registration Fee: $395 (incl GST) for MANSW and AAMT members. $575 for non‐members.
Registration includes dinner on Sunday and Monday and lunch on Monday and Tuesday.
Participants are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements.
University style accommodation with shared bathroom facilities will be available at John XXIII for both Sunday and Monday nights. Room rates and booking forms are available on the MANSW website. Delegates staying at John XXIII will only need to select breakfast when booking their accommodation.

Register online using the Teacher Events / Secondary Professional Learning link on the MANSW  website: www.mansw.nsw.edu.au. For more information please contact the MANSW office on 9715 5800 or email admin@mansw.nsw.edu.au.

Closing date for registration: 8 December 2015

Please note that NMSS for Teachers has had to be cancelled

Information for students attending NMSS can be found here: https://www.mansw.nsw.edu.au/student-activities/national-mathematics-summer-school

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Keynote Speaker: Mr Bevan Penrose
Head of Senior Schooling, Bundamba State Secondary College
Winner of the 2014 Professor Betty Watts Memorial Award for an Outstanding Contribution to Teaching

Cost: Free.
Where: EG:13 University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs
Time: 9:00 – 3:00, followed by MATHS Network Meeting from 4:00 to 6:00pm

The MATHS Network is supportive network for pre-service teachers, practicing mathematics teachers and mathematics academics across the Sunshine Coast.

This conference is for those new to teaching mathematics either as an early career teacher or those who teach mathematics out of field, including pre-service mathematics teachers, and those dedicated mathematics teachers who mentor or would like to mentor other mathematics teachers.

Report:

A group of 39 attended USC’s professional development day for teachers – an IMSITE cascade and MATHS Mathematics Teachers Hub on the Sunshine Coast) Network event. The attendees ranged in experience from pre-service teachers to retirees from full-time teaching.

Prompted by presentations from both researchers and practitioners, discussions were lively and wide-ranging.

Feedback was very positive. Some of the valuable takeaways from the day were:

• Build positive relationships with students so if you have to discipline them you have positive engagements "in the bank" so the students do not feel like you do not like them.
• Reinforcement of how important the social aspect of teaching is.
• Relationships with students is fundamental in the classroom.
• There is a network of passionate mathematics teachers willing to support, mentor and encourage each other.
• Ideas for problems, technology, innovations happening, websites, keep learning.
• Examples of creating/ finding maths problems that relate to the real world which I have had issues with.
• Have more serious chats about the job.
• Maths teaching technologies like Autograph.
• Maths problems, problem pictures
• Sites/organisations such as IMSITE, STEPUP etc.
• PBL.
• Problem pictures pages, problem solving organisations, Autograph.

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“Journeys through Mathematics and Life”

Nalini Joshi, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Sydney, and Cassandra Portelli, Head Teacher Mathematics at the Hunter School of the Performing Arts, will give a joint public lecture.

A collaboration between “Inspiring Mathematics and Science in Teacher Education” (IMSITE) and the “Australia New Zealand Association of Mathematical Physics”(ANZAMP) conference 2015 this event is inspired by the Chief Scientist’s vision for mathematics educators and researchers

DATE: Tuesday 8th December 2015
VENUE: Newcastle City Hall, Hunter Room
TIME: 5.30 – 6.00 Drinks & Nibbles | 6.00 – 7.00 Public lecture

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This year marks the 4th year since the birth of CUBEnet and VIBEnet. Following on from our discussions at the last Shine Dome meeting and with the support of the Australian Academy of Science we are now combining to officially launch BEAN – our Bioscience Education Australia Network. This new umbrella network provides a platform to tackle together the challenges and opportunities that we face in the ever evolving tertiary landscape. It also builds the critical mass that allows us to engage more broadly with our partners in other disciplinary areas.

The Forum will go over 3 days.

Day 1 (Dec 8) will be the official launch of BEAN with a stellar cast of speakers around the themes of creative engagement and communication. These people are here to share their expertise and skills with you.

Day 2 (December 9) will focus on CUBE and VIBE activities with updates and presentations from network members. It will also include 3 “unpacking the TLOs” sessions around critical thinking, communication, assessment and quantitative skills.

Day 3 (December 10) will be the Mathbench day with a host of international and national speakers.

We look forward to welcoming you and your colleagues to this exciting new chapter in biosciences education in Australia.
Phil Poronnik and Pauline Ross

Enquiries to: Steph Beames - s.beames@uq.edu.au

Registration by 27 November:

https://aas.eventsair.com/bean15/home

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NSW FYiMaths

The NSW FYiMaths group was established in July 2015 by a group of academics at the University of Western Sydney.

The inaugural meeting on 3rd July was attended by 35 people, representing 9 institutions.  It was a full day event with presentations on a range of topics, panel discussion and networking session.

If you would like to receive notifications of group activities please email Joann Cattlin. If you would like more information about the group contact one of the organisers below.

Events

UNSW Mathematics and Statistics Learning and Teaching Seminar Series, a regular series of seminars on teaching practices and research findings in undergraduate mathematics. We will post details of upcoming topics or you can contact seminar co-ordinator: Dr Diana Combe 

FYiMaths NSW. Friday 11th December, University of Technology Sydney. All day workshop. Put the date in your diary. More details available soon.

Group Contacts: Leanne Rylands, Lyn Armstrong, or Don Shearman at Western Sydney University.

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BIOINFOSUMMER 2015 - http://bis15.amsi.org.au/ 
7-11 December 2015, University of Sydney

Bioinformatics, is an exciting, fast moving area analysing and simulating the structures and processes of biological systems. BioInfoSummer provides bioinformatics training to students, researchers and others working in related areas. The 2015 event includes both specialist lectures and hands on introductory and advanced computer workshops.

Topics discussed will include:

• Introduction to Biology and Bioinformatics
• Epigenomics
• Translational Genomics
• Proteomics and Metabolomics
• Systems Biology, Networks and Data Integration

Key dates:
Registration Earlybird extended: 1 November 2015
Poster abstract submissions close: 6 November 2015
Registration closes: 27 November 2015

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University of Wollongong inaugural teacher conference for secondary teachers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines

Plenary talks, presentations and workshops will discuss and inform practical ideas on integrating the STEM disciplines in teaching and learning in your classrooms. This conference is held as part of the IMSITE project initiatives.

The conference is titled “STEM Teachers: Cross Pollinating the Curriculum" and aims to bring practicing secondary teachers in the STEM disciplines together to learn about and discuss practical ideas on how to integrate the STEM disciplines in teaching and learning in high schools (e.g. using science in a mathematics class, using mathematics in an engineering class).

Saturday 25 July, 2015, 9.00am - 3.30pm
For more details see: http://eis.uow.edu.au/stem-teacher-conference/index.html

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The University of Queensland Mathematics Teachers’ Alumni Conference 2015 (UQ-MTAC) -

The inaugural University of Queensland Mathematics Teachers’ Alumni Conference (UQ- MTAC) will be held in semester two this year. This conference is for recent and past graduates of secondary mathematics teacher education programs in Queensland. The aim of the conference is to develop learning networks amongst pre-service teachers, mathematics teachers, mathematics teacher educators and mathematicians.

We are thrilled to have Mr Bevan Penrose, Head of Senior Schooling Bundamba State Secondary College and winner of the prestigious “Professor Betty Watts Memorial Award for an Outstanding Contribution to Teaching” in 2014 join us on the day to deliver a keynote address.

Details:
When: 9.00am-3.00pm - Friday, 2 OCT
Where: Women’s College Auditorium
College Road, UQ St Lucia campus
www.womens.uq.edu.au/tour-the-college
Cost: FREE – Registration will open soon
Email: Stephanie Beames - s.beames@uq.edu.au

Further program details to be announced

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Queensland Numeracy Summit 2015: Initial Teacher Education - Identifying proactive strategies to improve student outcomes

The School of Education and Professional Studies, with the support of the Council of Deans of Education - Queensland, is delighted to host the inaugural Queensland Numeracy Summit.
 
When:Tuesday 16 June 2015
Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Where: Pullman Hotel, King George Square, Brisbane
The one day Summit will bring together key stakeholders in Queensland to explore the major challenges facing educators, government and community relating to numeracy and initial teacher education, including:

• Queensland College of Teachers (QCT), universities, peak numeracy and curriculum education bodies

• Education Queensland with principals and teachers from schools across all sectors

• Preservice teachers and P&C Associations 

Further information at:  http://www.griffith.edu.au/education/school-education-professional-studies/news-events/numeracy-summit-2015

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Domabotics - Teacher PD Workshops

Domabotics is happy to announce that bookings are now open for workshops in 2015.  We are once again running our popular Teacher PD workshops for Robotics and Scratch Programming as well as our onsite Student Incursions for a variety of topics. With the introduction of the new Technologies Curriculum, these workshops are relevant, fun and highly educational: 23 March 2015 - Introduction to Robotics: NXT (for teachers).

For students grade 5-12 - LEGO MINDSTORMS robotics and "Scratch" programming for games. More information at:
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=b6f67e5cdfcfad9aa7554f1f0&id=65775ab19d&e=effc5a97c8 

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MERGA 38 (2015) will be held at University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland

When: 28 June to 2 July 2015

The link for the conference website will be available shortly. More info at: http://www.merga.net.au/node/8

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CONASTA 64 - Science: A Kaleidoscope of Wonder and Opportunity -
will be held from 5-9 July 2015 at Mercedes College, Perth WA 

The full CONASTA 64 program will be available in early February at: http://asta.edu.au/conasta
Registrations will open at that time.Please contact conasta@asta.edu.au with any questions. 

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ISSOTL 2015 conference will be held at RMIT in Melbourne

When: 27 to 30 October 2015

The 12th annual conference of the International Society for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning is currently open for online registration at: http://issotl2015.com.au/registration.html 

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The Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (ACSME) 2015

Curtin University, Perth WA
When: 30 September to 2 October 2015

The Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education is an opportunity for tertiary science and mathematics educators to share ideas and keep up to date. Science and mathematics for this conference encompasses biological sciences, chemistry, geo-sciences, health sciences, information technology, learning and cognitive sciences, mathematics and statistics, molecular and microbial sciences, physics and psychology as well as the various fields of the applied sciences. Further information will be available at: http://sydney.edu.au/iisme/conference/

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Go To Top!

Newcastle Mathematics Educators Conference, University of Newcastle, Friday 1st May, 2015

This conference is an initiative of the University of Newcastle branch of the IMSITE Project. As part of this project we have been considering how the many layers of the mathematics education system may truly work together to produce better mathematics outcomes for everyone. The aim of this conference is to provide a platform to start addressing the issues together; one which will seed the establishment of an ongoing and active local community of secondary and tertiary mathematics educators. Participants will include Mathematics, Statistics and Education academics from the University of Newcastle and further afield, as well as nominated Secondary Mathematics teachers from across our region, ranging from preservice to highly experienced teacher leaders. For more details: https://carma.newcastle.edu.au/meetings/nmec

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University of Sydney Mathematics Teachers’ Alumni Conference 2015 (SUSMAC2015) - Wednesday 8th April 2015, Education Building

This conference is for recent and past graduates (from 2003~) of the secondary mathematics teacher education program in the combined degree or MTeach programs offered in the Faculty of Education and Social Work.

The aim of this event is to develop learning networks amongst preservice teachers, mathematics teachers, mathematics teacher educators and mathematicians. The theme for this year’s conference is promoting motivation and engagement in secondary mathematics classrooms and will include a keynote presentation from Prof. Andrew Martin as well as presentations from schools about their work in the STEM education area. 
See 2015 program at:

http://misterwootube.com/teachers/susmac2015/

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Conversations on Knowledge for Teaching Conference

www.conversationsonkft.weebly.com

11-13 February 2015 at UTas Newnham campus, Launceston. Open to all educators: teachers, team leaders, Principals, and those involved in curriculum development and educational policy.

This conference has been developed to build upon previous work by the project team during the Building the Culture of Evidence-based Practice in Teacher Preparation for Mathematics Teaching (CEMENT) project. Drawing on the growing body of work on the notion of pedagogical content knowledge – the specialised ways in which teachers know and understand their discipline areas - the conference will be an opportunity for you to develop ideas and engage in discussions and debates with colleagues from across Australia.

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Australian New Zealand Mathematics Convention was held at the University of Melbourne, from 8-12 December, 2014. The convention included a special session "Mathematics Education". More info at: www.austms2014.ms.unimelb.edu.au/

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University of Sydney: Leon Poladian presented an update on Inspiring Mathematics and Science in Teacher Education (IMSITE) OLT project at ACSME 2014 conference -  http://openjournals.library.usyd.edu.au/index.php/IISME/article/view/7884

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JCU Maths Update Seminar - Townsville

James Cook University invites school leaders, mathematics teachers, guidance officers and community members to a seminar on the transition from school to university in mathematics. The proposed program will be presented by JCU mathematicians, mathematics educators and school teachers. Presenters include Dr Jo Balatti, Dr Shaun Belward, Leah Daniel, James Dalitz, Tatham Sexton, Dr Donna Rigano and QAMT Townsville branch president Nasr Guirguis.

Date: Tuesday, 17th February, 2015 
Email donna.rigano@jcu.edu.au

Topics:
* Data on transition from high school to 1st Year Mathematics – what you need to know
* Building the maths teaching capacity of future generations of primary and secondary mathematics teachers – progress made on the Inspiring Mathematics and Science in Teacher Education (IMSITE) project
* Launching the Australian Mathematics and Science Partnerships Program (AMSPP) in North Queensland
* Feedback from school-based professionals on proposed community initiatives to enhance student engagement in mathematics
* Teachers attending will receive certificates of participation specific to appropriate AITSL Professional Standard 7.4 Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities.

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Teacher professional development opportunity at
The University of Queensland: Robotics Education
using “STEM-in-a-BOX” solutions

Primary and secondary school teachers from across Queensland are taking part in this exciting professional development opportunity. Colleagues to spend two days at UQ St Lucia campus, learning to use robotics teaching kits developed by Tony Grudzinski, a science teacher from Gympie SHS. These kits are accompanied by support materials and online resources, developed to fit the Queensland curriculum.

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IMSITE dissemination forum, Canberra

When: 10.00am-2.00pm on Thursday, 12 March, 2015
Where: Jaeger Room, Shine Dome, 9 Gordon Street, Acton ACT

Please send any enquiries to Stephanie Beames at s.beames@uq.edu.au

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IMSITE dissemination forum, Sydney:

The NSW IMSITE dissemination forum was held on  
Friday, 7 November at University of Sydney, 
in the Education building (A35).

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IMSITE dissemination forum, Adelaide:

The SA/Tasmania IMSITE dissemination forum was held on 
Thursday, 4 December at University of Adelaide, 
in Mawson Laboratories, North Terrace campus. 

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IMSITE dissemination forum, Brisbane:

Enhancing the Training of Mathematics and Science Teachers (ETMST) [http://www.olt.gov.au/maths-and-science-teachers] inaugural QLD state dissemination forum for IMSITE Project, in conjunction with the QUT-led "StepUp Project", was held at The Ship Inn, Griffith University South Bank campus on Friday, 26 September 2014 - see program below:

Time	QLD state dissemination forum program	Facilitators
9.30am – 12.00	IMSITE - Inspiring mathematics and science in teacher education	Prof Merrilyn Goos and Prof Joe Grotowski, UQ

This forum in designed to:

·    gather information about the structure and culture of institutional teacher education contexts,

·    help participants assess the climate of readiness for change,

·    identify needs that may be specific to regional and remote communities,

·    invite feedback on the feasibility of the project’s design,

·    gauge potential transferability of intended outcomes to other contexts.

12.00 – 1.00pm

LUNCH

1.00pm – 3.30pm

StepUp - Transforming mathematics and science pre-service secondary teacher education in QLD

Prof Les Dawes, QUT Science & Engineering Faculty

This forum is designed to:

·    inform directions of Step Up, as one of five major projects funded nationally with a focus on pre-service STEM teacher education, with a particular focus on Queensland,

·    gather participants views regarding the critical attributes of the future science teacher,

·    capture and discuss leading examples,

·    engage a cross-disciplinary network of education and science leaders.

3.30pm – 4.00pm

Wrap-up and next steps

4.00pm – 6.00pm

Networking function

IMSITE Events, along with National and International Events are displayed in the calendar below. For a list of the events click "agenda" on the right hand side of the calendar.

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