"I have had an absolute blast throughout the week for the NSTSS."
From Monday 14 January to Friday 18 January, 20 teachers and lab technicians engaged in the Brisbane program of the NYSF National Science Teachers Summer School (NSTSS). As highlighted on NYSF social media platforms, sessions included lab visits across three different universities, seminars from some of Brisbane’s most respected scientists, and workshops with local education and science start-ups.
On Friday morning, participants enjoyed an interactive robotics workshop facilitated by Micromelon Robotics. The session exposed participants to block coding, text coding and robotics, helping them to build confidence for transfer to the classroom. As reinforced by Micromelon, coding is a crucial literacy in the digital age.
Teachers didn't hesitate to learn the new technology and endorsed that coding aided problem solving, critical thinking and computational thinking skills. Each participant learnt new coding skills and enjoyed watching their robot take off by the commands they had set.
“I have had an absolute blast in this session and throughout the week for the NSTSS,” said participant Brooke Jensen.
“I have learnt about brilliant new technologies, resources, planning tools and out of the box thinking methods which will allow me to teach science more effectively,” Brooke added.
After a big week of collaboration, tours, visits and the opportunity to mix with the NYSF 2019 Session B students at the Science Dinner, NSTSS wrapped up on Friday afternoon with dynamic group presentations on learnings that participants will take back to their schools to implement in the classrooms.
Participants spoke on their passion to approach lesson planning differently, particularly for new STEM-type subject offerings. One teacher is keen to introduce eye optics in her physics lessons, highlighting that the sessions really do inspire participants.
NSTSS allows participants to learn how the science world is evolving outside of the classroom. Participants are then able to influence young people about study and career pathways in STEM.
NYSF would like to acknowledge Melody Dobrinin, NYSF 2008 alumna, for her contribution to the development, coordination and delivery of the of NYSF NSTSS 2019 Brisbane program.
Our thanks also to the ARC Centre for Excellence for Engineers Quantum Systems (EQUS) for providing travel bursaries for teachers from regional communities to travel to the NSTSS.