Teachstem

The future of environmental leadership is in great hands! 🌏 Park Ridge State High School’s Year 9 "State of the Environment Student Showcase" highlighted the incredible talent and dedication of the next generation. DETSI scientist Rebecca Trevithick attended the event and was amazed by the students’ outstanding work!

As part of their assessment, students analysed local environmental data, exploring biodiversity, pollution, climate, and air and water quality.

The students used advanced tools and datasets developed by DETSI and other Government agencies, including:
🌡️ Weather-station climate observations
💧 Water quality data from Tahbil
🌬️ Air quality data from the National Pollutant Inventory
🌳 Land and vegetation mapping with drones
🦜 Species biodiversity datasets (QBEIS and WildNet)

Rebecca was thrilled to see the students’ work align with industry practices, especially their drone imagery analysis for ground and foliage cover—just like DETSI scientists do every day.

The students impressed with engaging presentations, posters, and exhibits, showcasing their talent and dedication. The event highlighted the importance of science literacy in solving real-world environmental challenges and demonstrated the department’s commitment to supporting community engagement.

Teachstem

Toward the end of the year, Park Ridge State High School Year 9 students hosted a student-led State of the Environment showcase at the North Logan City Library Citizen Science Corner, presenting local climate, water and air quality findings using maps, figures and drone imagery. Their work transformed classroom investigations into evidence that community members could explore, question and learn from.
The session brought together families, council and industry representatives, and concluded with the installation of a student-curated display that will remain in the Citizen Science Corner over summer, inviting ongoing community engagement.

How could teachSTEM support your students to turn learning into real-world community action?

Learn more about how teachSTEM can support you:
www.teachSTEM.com.au
(Linkedin) https://www.linkedin.com/company/teachstem/
(Instagram) www.instagram.com/teachstem_/
https://www.acnc.gov.au/.../19851dfb-2626-f011.../profile

https://www.teachstem.com.au/holiday-donations

Join a live online session on Sat 6 Dec 2025 with Marilé Colón Robles, project scientist for NASA GLOBE Clouds, and take part in an interactive activity from home or your local library.
Ideal for families, kids, teens, educators and anyone who enjoys learning about the world around us.

Time:
09:00 – 10:00, Perth (AWST)
11:00 – 12:00, Brisbane (AEST)
12:00 – 13:00, Sydney (AEDT)

Register Here: 505b5662-920d-498e-ba5b-2519fc69d6a4@dac31965-f511-4a61-a36a-34f087c79c98?fbclid=IwY2xjawOfbCJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3VUV6UG54UlVlaTJqTWFYc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpNEF0KvaWjpR5eAQ92UgpC92Ufx6UijOrwQ9hVuTR-7J48Ev5vU3Ab1FBOS_aem_HVjET-WlRZwxLJBnfX8sJg" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/505b5662-920d-498e-ba5b-2519fc69d6a4@dac31965-f511-4a61-a36a-34f087c79c98?fbclid=IwY2xjawOfbCJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3VUV6UG54UlVlaTJqTWFYc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpNEF0KvaWjpR5eAQ92UgpC92Ufx6UijOrwQ9hVuTR-7J48Ev5vU3Ab1FBOS_aem_HVjET-WlRZwxLJBnfX8sJg

https://www.teachstem.com.au/holiday-donations/

Join a live online session on Sat 6 Dec 2025 with Marilé Colón Robles, project scientist for NASA GLOBE Clouds, and take part in an interactive activity from home or your local library.

Ideal for families, kids, teens, educators and anyone who enjoys learning about the world around us.

Time:
09:00 – 10:00, Perth (AWST)
11:00 – 12:00, Brisbane (AEST)
12:00 – 13:00, Sydney (AEDT)

Register Here: 505b5662-920d-498e-ba5b-2519fc69d6a4@dac31965-f511-4a61-a36a-34f087c79c98" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/505b5662-920d-498e-ba5b-2519fc69d6a4@dac31965-f511-4a61-a36a-34f087c79c98

How can communities lead the way in collecting and sharing environmental data?
At the Inspiring Australia NSW 2025 Stakeholder Briefing, Matthew Grace presented the Citizen Science Corner project, showcasing a fresh approach to community-led data collection and environmental discovery.
The event, held at the Australian Museum and online, brought together passionate science engagement advocates from across New South Wales to share stories, ideas and collaborations shaping the future of STEM participation.

Jump to Matts segment at 1:07 or want to revisit the highlights, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/VAFIzC3Kg3U?si=82Ay_24QfteXGL5Z

teachSTEM is proud to make science accessible to everyone, empowering communities to contribute meaningful data that helps protect our natural environment.
Are you interested in exploring how teachSTEM could support your school, library or community to create a Citizen Science Corner of your own? Reach out at [email protected]

Learn more about how teachSTEM can support you:
www.teachSTEM.com.au
(Linkedin) https://www.linkedin.com/company/teachstem/
(Instagram) www.instagram.com/teachstem_/
https://www.acnc.gov.au/.../19851dfb-2626-f011.../profile

When we feel stressed, a small part of the brain called the amygdala acts like an alarm, detecting threats and signalling the body to respond. This sets off the release of cortisol, a hormone that increases alertness and energy. It’s the same response that once helped humans survive danger, now triggered by modern pressures like exams, performances or deadlines.
Understanding this process helps students see how science connects to real life. It explains why stress feels physical, builds awareness around emotional health, and encourages conversations about how to manage pressure in positive ways.
Take this as an invitation to explore the science behind your mood, performance or worry on your own terms.
Dive in: www.snexplores.org/article/how-body-deals-with-stress

How could we help your students explore the science of stress through hands-on STEM and wellbeing learning?

Learn more about how teachSTEM can support you:
www.teachSTEM.com.au

(Linkedin) https://www.linkedin.com/company/teachstem/
(Instagram) www.instagram.com/teachstem_/
https://www.acnc.gov.au/.../19851dfb-2626-f011.../profile

teachSTEM’s Dr Bridie Schultz and Gaynor Schultz joined families at North Logan City Library for the Meet, Make and Do: Aussie Bird Count session. Together, families learned how to identify and count birds using the Aussie Bird Count app and record other wildlife with iNaturalist, helping scientists track changes in biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Hands-on sessions like this show how curiosity, technology and community science can come together to build environmental understanding at every age.
Could your library, school or community host a citizen science session like this?

Learn more about how teachSTEM can support you:
www.teachSTEM.com.au

(Linkedin) https://www.linkedin.com/company/teachstem/
(Instagram) www.instagram.com/teachstem_/
https://www.acnc.gov.au/.../19851dfb-2626-f011.../profile

After the Black Summer bushfires, native bee populations struggled when their natural nesting habitats were destroyed. To help them recover, more than 1,000 bee hotels were installed across Western Australia’s Jarrah forests, giving these vital pollinators safe places to nest and thrive again.

Read here: https://theconversation.com/australias-native-bees-struggled-after-the-black-summer-fires-but-a-world-first-solution-brought-them-buzzing-back-258299

This story offers a powerful learning opportunity for classrooms exploring:
Citizen-led conservation: How thoughtful design supports biodiversity.
Ecological resilience: How science and innovation help ecosystems bounce back.
STEM meets stewardship: How hands-on learning builds environmental awareness and community impact.

How could we help your students explore real-world examples like this through hands-on learning?

Learn more about how teachSTEM can support you:
www.teachSTEM.com.au

(Linkedin) https://www.linkedin.com/company/teachstem/
(Instagram) www.instagram.com/teachstem_/
https://www.acnc.gov.au/.../19851dfb-2626-f011.../profile

How can schools and families make learning more hands-on and connected to the real world?
Our teachSTEM team joined the Education Fair at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where families, educators and community members explored workshops, STEAM demonstrations, sports sessions and school information all in one vibrant event.
Through programs like ours, teachSTEM helps schools, teachers and families turn curiosity into action with learning experiences that make science, technology and the environment engaging, practical and community focused.
How could we help you bring more hands-on learning opportunities to your school or community?

Learn more about how teachSTEM can support you:
www.teachSTEM.com.au

(Linkedin) https://www.linkedin.com/company/teachstem/
(Instagram) www.instagram.com/teachstem_/
https://www.acnc.gov.au/.../19851dfb-2626-f011.../profile