Science Teachers' Association of Victoria Inc (STAV)

🌬️ The Great Wind Festival has officially taken off!

We joined the students and teachers at St Francis of Fields Primary School, Bendigo to celebrate the launch of their National Science Week celebrations — and what better way to begin than by officially switching on their brand-new weather station🌦️

The weather station is much more than a piece of equipment on the roof. It’s a real-world science tool that will help students investigate the weather happening right outside their classroom.

Students will get a first-hand look at how the station works, how weather data is collected and how they’ll be able to use that data in their science learning throughout the year.

And the science didn’t stop there! Students were soon busy making paper helicopters while the grade 1 sustainability class got their hands dirty making seed bombs to plant in the school garden. 🌱

Throughout National Science Week, students will investigate the question:
“We can’t see the wind – but what does it do?”

From kites and wind art to parachutes and wind-powered cars, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to experiment, design, test and discover.

This is National Science Week in action — curiosity, creativity and hands-on science happening across the school. 🔬💨

🔬 Could physics shape your future?

In celebration of National Science Week, the Physics Students’ Society at the University of Melbourne is inviting Years 8–12 students to discover where a physics degree can take them — and what life at university is really like.

Join them on Friday 21 August, 6–8pm for a FREE evening of hands-on science, real stories and big questions.

✨ What’s on?
👩‍🔬 Hear from current UniMelb physics students about their journey from high school to university
💬 Ask a physicist anything — from space and everyday phenomena to careers
⚡ Explore interactive physics demonstrations and hands-on experiments
🚀 Discover the surprising pathways physics can open up, from healthcare and clean energy to space and supercomputing
🍕 Enjoy free food while meeting students and fellow science enthusiasts

Whether you already love physics or are simply curious about where science could take you, this is a great opportunity to explore your options ahead of subject selection and university open day season.

🎟️ FREE — bookings essential

👉 https://events.humanitix.com/discover-your-potential

Discover Your Potential: Where Physics Takes You Register on Humanitix - Discover Your Potential: Where Physics Takes You hosted by Physics Students' Society. Laby Theatre, David Caro Building, David Caro Building, 18 Spencer Rd, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia. Friday 21st August 2026. Find event information.

There’s no better way to prepare for National Science Week than to attend Ngarrngga's online free panel ‘Where to from here? Science and Sustainability’!

Facilitated by Dr EmilyRochette Rochette, this fantastic panel (Professor Marcia McKenzie, Professor Joe Sambono and Associate Professor Duane Hamacher) will discuss how Indigenous Knowledges can strengthen scientific practice and stewardship.

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/where-to-from-here-science-and-sustainability-tickets-1993302228624?aff=oddtdtcreator

🚀 Early Bird Registrations Are Now Open for STAVCON 2026!

Join science educators from across Victoria for STAV's premier annual conference, STAVCON 2026.

This year's theme, Beyond the Curriculum: Exploring the Future of Science Teaching and Learning, recognises that while curriculum frameworks provide the foundation for learning, exceptional science education extends beyond content delivery and assessment. It is about creating learning experiences that inspire curiosity, foster critical thinking and, embrace innovation and prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

The conference will feature a dynamic panel bringing together leading voices from education, research and industry to explore the conference theme from different perspectives. Throughout the day, delegates will enjoy practical workshops, classroom-ready ideas and opportunities to connect with fellow science educators.

STAVCON 2026 is your opportunity to explore new ideas, challenge your thinking and take away practical strategies for the classroom.

🗓️ Tuesday 27 October 2026

📍 Sidney Myer Asia Center, University of Melbourne, Parkville

Take advantage of Early Bird pricing and secure your place today.

🎟️ Register now: https://stavcon2026.eventsairsite.com/

We're listening.

Every science teacher has a different story.

Whether you're teaching primary or secondary science, working in a regional school, teaching out of field or supporting science education in another way, your perspective matters.

STAV is inviting science teachers from across Victoria to take part in a new statewide engagement program.

The first step is a short survey (around 7 mins).

Find out more and get involved: https://stav.org.au/science-teacher-engagement-survey/

Please share this with the science teachers in your world and across your networks so we can hear from as many science teachers and educators as possible.

🧠 Understanding how students learn is just as important as what we teach.

Join us for this practical webinar as we explore how insights from cognitive science can help improve learning in the science classroom.

We'll unpack a simple model of memory and examine classroom strategies you can put into practice, including how to:
🔹 Secure students' attention
🔹 Present new concepts without overloading working memory
🔹 Reduce cognitive load by avoiding split attention
🔹 Strengthen long-term learning through retrieval
🔹 Deepen understanding using elaboration and meaningful scientific connections

Whether you're teaching primary or secondary science, you'll leave with practical, evidence-informed insights to support student learning.

🗓️ Tuesday 28 July
🕓 4:00pm - 5:00:pm
💲 FREE for STAV Members | $25 Non-members

🔗 Register now: https://stav.org.au/event/webinar3/

✨ What's one thing you do in your science classroom that other teachers would love to know?

Maybe it's the way you introduce a difficult concept. A practical investigation your students always remember. A strategy for managing group work. A simple routine that gets every student engaged.

If you've developed a practical approach that helps students think, question, investigate or connect with science, we'd love you to share it at STAVCON 2026.

This year's theme, Beyond the Curriculum: Exploring the Future of Science Teaching and Learning, celebrates the innovative practices happening in classrooms every day. While the curriculum provides the framework, it's the creativity, curiosity and expertise of teachers that bring science learning to life.

📢 Abstract submissions close Monday 20 July. Share your practice. Inspire your peers. Help shape the future of science teaching.

https://stav.org.au/call-for-abstracts-stavcon-2026/

Call for Abstracts - STAVCON 2026 - STAV Seeking engaging, abstracts on innovative science teaching for primary &secondary education for consideration at STAVCON2025.

🚀 Be inspired by keynote speaker Katherine Bennell-Pegg at CONASTA 73.

As Australia's first professional astronaut and 2026 Australian of the Year, Katherine will share, at ConASTA 73, how she is using her passion for STEM to raise aspirations and inspire the next generation to reach for the stars. This is one keynote you won't want to miss.

Katherine's story perfectly reflects this year's theme, Science in a Time of Rapid Change: Supporting Sustainability, which explores how science education can empower students to navigate a rapidly changing world and create a sustainable future.

📅 7–10 July 2026
📍 Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Register now: https://web-eur.cvent.com/event/226f40ff-bc8d-457d-82ac-a391587d23c0/summary

🚀 Beyond the Curriculum starts with you.

Every innovative lesson, classroom breakthrough, and creative teaching idea has the power to shape the future of science education.

STAVCON 2026 is calling on passionate science educators to share the strategies, ideas and approaches helping students think critically, stay curious, and connect science to the world around them.

This year’s theme — Beyond the Curriculum: Exploring the Future of Science Teaching and Learning — recognises that exceptional science education extends far beyond content delivery and assessment. It is about creating learning experiences that inspire curiosity, encourage critical thinking, embrace innovation, and prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

If you’re trialling new pedagogies, bringing emerging technologies into the classroom, creating engaging curriculum-aligned resources, or inspiring deeper learning through science… we want to hear from you.

🧪 Share your expertise
💡 Inspire new thinking
📈 Help shape the future of science teaching and learning

Submissions close 5pm Monday 20 July 2026.
👉 Submit here: https://stav.org.au/call-for-abstracts-stavcon-2026/

📍 Save the date STAVCON 2026 will be held at the University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus on Tuesday 27 October 2026.