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CAASTRO in the Classroom sessions for 2016

black hole web

CAASTRO in the Classroom has an exciting year ahead with some intriguing new video conferencing sessions offered to schools all over Australia.

Bookings are now open for all school terms for these engaging sessions presented by research scientists, with newly-developed pre- and post-visit resources provided for each topic.

Topics for 2016 are ‘Awesome Astronomy‘ for Year 5, ‘Solar System and Beyond‘ for Year 7, ‘Big Bang – How to Make a Universe‘ for Year 10 and ‘Special Relativity‘, ‘Cosmic Engine‘ and ‘Gravity and Orbits‘ for Year 11 and 12 Physics.

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reVEAl 2015 recording

Virtual Excursions Australia conference reVEAl 2015  was on Tuesday 8 December. The event was been designed to be fun, interactive and to provide networking opportunities for both teachers and content providers. We had a variety of short sessions to provide something for everyone.

The full unedited recording is linked below and the list of sessions are listed. We will also edit the recording into individual sessions in early 2016.

http://video.aarnet.edu.au/videos/video/2191/embed/

9:45 – 10:00am        Value of video conferencing for cultural institutions
10:00 – 10.15am        Techniques in presenting to camera
10:15 – 10:45am        Tech talk – web conferencing platforms

11:30 – 11:45am         How to help schools get comfortable with their equipment
11:45 – 12:15pm         Content provider experiences (the good, bad & ugly)
12:15 – 12:30pm        Future directions all in discussion for content providers

2:15 – 2:30pm          The value of video conferencing for schools
2:30 – 2:45pm         Key Learning Area Experiences: STEM
2:45 – 3:00pm         Key Learning Area Experiences:  Arts & Culture

4:00 – 4:15pm          Key Learning Area Experiences:  History
4:15 – 4:30pm          Key Learning Area Experiences:  Sports & more
4:30 – 4:40pm         Booking platforms in Australia
4:40 – 5:00pm         Worldview

Twitter:   twitter.com/VCExcursions

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/VirtualExcursionAustralia

 

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SciFest 2015

It is time to start planning for SciFest and National Science Week. The SciFest video conferencing festival is in August and provides a great link to National Science Week. Now in it’s third year SciFest is a great opportunity to engage your students in a variety of science workshops and events.

SciFest 2015

Join in with SciFest and National Science Week to enjoy and explore the wonders and benefits of science.

Monday 3 August

SciFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time 10am

Minibeasts Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important.

SciFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 11am

The Video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. There will be explosive experiments demonstrated including the step by step exploration of the different phases of a volcanic eruption.

 SciFest – Museum Secretes Revealed – FREE

Time: 1pm

This video conference provides a glimpse behind the scenes of Australia’s oldest natural history Museum.

Meet the Experts – FREE

Time: 2pm

The Australian Museum is bringing our scientists to you! This is your chance to come face to face with an Australian Museum scientist and ask your question.

Tuesday 4 August

 SciFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time: 10am

Minibeasts Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important.

 SciFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 11am

The Video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. There will be explosive experiments demonstrated including the step by step exploration of the different phases of a volcanic eruption.

SciFest – Museum Secretes Revealed – FREE

Time: 1pm

This video conference provides a glimpse behind the scenes of Australia’s oldest natural history Museum.

Meet the Experts – FREE

Time: 2pm

The Australian Museum is bringing our scientists to you! This is your chance to come face to face with an Australian Museum scientist and ask your questions.

Monday 10 August

SciFest: Light & Colour Science
Time: 09:30
Students learn about properties of light in this fun interactive workshop for National Science Week! Investigate rainbows using the visible light spectrum, plus learn about colour addition and subtraction.
SciFest: Light & Colour Science
Time: 11:00
Students learn about properties of light in this fun interactive workshop for National Science Week! Investigate rainbows using the visible light spectrum, plus learn about colour addition and subtraction.

Tuesday 11 August

SciFest: Weather and Pressure
Time: 12:00
What is air pressure? Why are low and high pressure areas important? How are clouds formed? What is our atmosphere made of anyway?
SciFest: Weather and Pressure
Time: 14:00
What is air pressure? Why are low and high pressure areas important? How are clouds formed? What is our atmosphere made of anyway?

Wednesday 12 August

SciFest: Human Body… major body systems and senses
Time: 12:00
Students look at major body systems and how the five senses work in this engaging workshop!Where is heat in your body conserved? How do the lungs work?
SciFest: Human Body… major body systems and senses
Time: 14:00
Students look at major body systems and how the five senses work in this engaging workshop!Where is heat in your body conserved? How do the lungs work?

Thursday 14 August

Scifest Inspiring Stories Tim Jarvis AM Antarctic Adventurer and Explorer
Time: 10:00
TIM JARVIS AM Shackleton Epic Expedition Leader is one of the world’s leading explorers and possesses an extraordinary adventure and leadership resume. He is also a best-selling author, film-maker and public speaker. Intrepid explorer Tim Jarvis has recently returned from Antarctica where he retraced Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary 1916 voyage of survival and crossing of South Georgia’s mountainous interior.
Scifest Inspiring Stories Tim Jarvis AM Antarctic Adventurer and Explorer
Time: 14:00
TIM JARVIS AM Shackleton Epic Expedition Leader is one of the world’s leading explorers and possesses an extraordinary adventure and leadership resume. He is also a best-selling author, film-maker and public speaker. Intrepid explorer Tim Jarvis has recently returned from Antarctica where he retraced Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary 1916 voyage of survival and crossing of South Georgia’s mountainous interior.

Friday 14 August

SciFest: Stars and Planets
Time: 12:00
Students investigate our Universe and space exploration techniques in this hands-on workshop. What did the big bang really look like? How are the tides formed? Where is Earth in the Solar System?
SciFest: Stars and Planets
Time: 14:00
Students investigate our Universe and space exploration techniques in this hands-on workshop. What did the big bang really look like? How are the tides formed? Where is Earth in the Solar System?

Monday 17 August

SciFest Dinosaur Slam – writing workshop with author Paul Stafford

Time: 14:00

Fast, ferocious and fun narrative writing workshop with the Scattered Bones team. Join author and literacy consultant Paul Stafford in a single session workshop aimed at helping Stage 2 and 3 students build the skills to plan and write short, fun narratives quickly. This session will cover the essential elements of writing a narrative, modeled by an author, using the weird and wonderful dinosaurs as a creative springboard for generating ideas.

Tuesday 18 August

Scifest ANMM Inspiring Stories Lloyd Godson “The man who has lived underwater!” Inventor Extraordinaire!
Time: 10:00
Lloyd Godson is an ambassador for ocean exploration and is committed to encouraging more young Australians to undertake science, technology, engineering and maths. He loves to  put his wild ideas to the test in the real world.
SciFest – FANTASTIC FROGS
Time: 11:30
Have you ever heard of the Vampire Flying Frog? Dr Jodi Rowley is an amphibian biologist at the Australian Museum Research Institute who conducts scientific expeditions in search of amphibians. So far, she’s discovered 14 new species of frog, including the famous Vampire Flying Frog.
SciFest – PERILS OF PLASTIC POLLUTION
Time: 12:30
Plastic litter is a very visible and well-known problem, particularly for our aquatic animals and birds. Recent research by the ANSTO Plastic Project and its partners suggests that plastic litter also poses a threat to our aquatic animals and birds at the atomic level, with elements from plastics now being found within feathers of sea birds.

Thursday 20 August

Scifest ANMM Inspiring Stories Lloyd Godson “The man who has lived underwater!” Inventor Extraordinaire!
Time: 12:00
Lloyd Godson is an ambassador for ocean exploration and is committed to encouraging more young Australians to undertake science, technology, engineering and maths. He loves to put his wild ideas to the test in the real world.
SciFest Dinosaur Tales -Stage 1
Time: 14:00
Narrative writing workshop with the Scattered Bones team for stage 1 students. Join author and literacy consultant Paul Stafford in a workshop aimed learning the basic the skills to plan and…

Wednesday 26 August

SciFest – Sleek Geeks Eureka Awards
Time: 12:00
Join the Sleek Geeks and our 2015 finalists to view the winning films and hear from the students themselves about how they developed and produced their films. This event will showcase some fascinating science, provide an insight into science communication and the insider tips might just help your students excel in next year’s competition.

Bookings and topics are available at DART connections. Simply search SciFest to see all the exciting events from organisations across Australia.

SciFest event is proudly supported by Virtual Excursions Australia

National Science week_large

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History Week 2014

The State Library of NSW and the National Maritime Museum are offering a selection of FREE video conferences for Stage 2-6 students as part of History Week from 6-14 September.  These virtual excursions will cover topics including migration, art in the trenches of World War 1, diaries from World War 1 and content curation in museum/library spaces, and provide a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with curators and other experts in the field of History.

William Dyson sketch

State Library of NSW History Week VC

Life Interrupted: WW1 Exhibition Curation with Curator Elise Edmonds

Monday 8 September 2014, 12:45pm-1:15pm, Stage 5 & 6

How is public history created and conveyed and what methodology is employed to do this? Join Elise Edmonds, curator of our latest exhibition ‘Life Interrupted: Personal Diaries from WWI’ for this special History Week VC and explore these questions with your Senior History students.

Sketches from the Trenches with Mitchell Librarian Richard Neville

Wednesday 10 September 2014, 12pm-12.30pm, Stage 5 & 6

In December 1916 Australia’s first war artist was commissioned and Lieutenant William Dyson joined Australian troops on the Western Front. His drawings provide a unique insight into the conflict.
In this interactive video conference Richard Neville, the Mitchell Librarian will showcase images created by William Dyson and reveal the man behind the pencil.

A Collection in a Suitcase with Manager of Learning Services Megan Perry

Thursday 11 September 2014, 10am-10.30am, Stage 2 & 3

The State Library of NSW has more than 5 million collection items, but how do these collections come to the State Library? In this special exclusive history week video conference Megan Perry, Manager, Learning Services, will reveal the contents of a suitcase containing items from World War I and 2, recently received by Learning Services. Join us as Megan unpacks this treasure trove of memorabilia and help us uncover the details of this intriguing collection.

Australian National Maritime Museum History Week VC

Unlock Migration with Curator Kim Tao

10 and 11 September 10am-10.45am, Stage 3, 4 & 5

With ANMM unlocked series, go behind the scenes at the museum and direct to our experts.
For History Week in September we offer the opportunity to go behind the scenes as Migration History curator Kim Tao discusses the role of a curator, the process taken for the collection of artefacts and how the stories are told. Kim will use artefacts from the collection that reflect migration stories.

World War 1 diaries

 

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Meet NASA’S Dr Abigail Allwood

DrAbigailAllwood

Australian NASA scientist Dr Abigail Allwood is now one of 7 principal science investigators in NASA’s next mission to the red planet … the 2020 Mars mission. Abby is the first woman and first Australian to be given the prestigious role.

Abby is a field geologist with a strong interest in the oldest record of life on Earth. Eight years ago while doing her PhD at Sydney’s Macquarie University she proved that billion-year-old stromatolites (layered rock formations made by tiny microbes) in the Pilbara region (of WA) held records of Earth’s oldest microbial life forms. Abby thinks that the patterns of microbial life in the Pilbara could also have happened on Mars. Abby designed a new technology known as PIXL (Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry) which analyses very small, grain-sized portions of rocks to look for traces of organic material. She is now the Principal Investigator for PIXL which will be mounted on the robotic arm of the next Mars Rover in 2020 to examine the rocks on Mars and look evidence of early microbial life forms like the ones found in the Pilbara.

Abby will join us live from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California to chat with young people and share her inspirational story as a young Australian who dreamt of working for NASA, the path that lead her to her incredible career and her exciting work on NASA’s upcoming Mars 2020 mission. This is a unique opportunity for your students to ask questions and discuss ideas with
a home-grown NASA scientist.

This is a free video conference event
hosted by the Powerhouse Museum
Australian leading mars 2020 mission: meet NASA’s Abby Allwood
9:30 – 10.30 am (EST) Wednesday 10 September 2014
BOOK NOW at dartconnections.org.au
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Powerhouse Museum Special Videoconferencing Event

Science Show with Ruben Meerman

Science Show with Ruben Meerman

Science Show with Ruben Meerman

Calling NSW rural and regional schools to join us for this exclusive opportunity to keep up the scientific fun even after National Science Week!  

Enjoy a science show presented by Ruben Meerman, ABC’s Surfing Scientist as a part of this year’s Ultimo Science Festival.

His awesome performance covers all kinds of science and uses the amazing effects of liquid nitrogen in combination with more ordinary materials to demonstrate scientific phenomena we experience every day. Students are always mesmerised by bubbling beakers, fizzing fluids and spooky fog … while learning real science.

Ruben’s energetic style, clear explanations and playful humour are so entertaining yet at the same time he can ignite people’s natural curiosity … while blasting outdated “scientist” stereotypes right out of the water!

The Surfing Scientist, Ruben Meerman, has been promoting science on television, radio, at public events and in schools for more than fifteen years. He has appeared on ABC television programs including Catalyst, Sleek Geeks, Studio 3, Roller Coaster, The Experimentals and as the resident scientist on Play School.

Ruben will be available to answer questions after the show so come prepared to pick his brain!

When: Wednesday September 3

Time: 10am-11am

Cost: $60 per class

Ages: Stages 2-3, Years 3-6

BOOK HERE

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Royal Botanic Gardens Term 3 Video Conferences

Interactive Learning – Term 3 Program

We are excited to offer these upcoming video conferences live from The Australian PlantBank – our award winning science and conservation facility at The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.
Our passionate educators are keen to share their broad knowledge of plants, sustainability, conservation and habitats with your students.

Seed Stories

yellow burr 1

Overview

  • Discover more about seeds and their journeys through PlantBank – where they are researched or propagated or stored to protect and preserve them for the future.
  • Learn about plant life cycles and seed dispersal (helicopters, gliders, floaters and hitchhikers).

When: Friday 25 July 2014

Time: 11.30 am

 

Sustainable Gardens

DSC_0042

Overview

  • Find out more about sustainable gardening practices for your school garden, and explore the intriguing world of plants.
  • Our Botanic Garden educator will guide students through activities to encourage sustainable practices in the garden.

When: Friday 1 August 2014

Times: 10:30 am -11.15 am and 11.30 am -12.15 pm

Registration: 10.30 am or 11.30 am

 

Fantastic Fungi SCIFEST

Fungi 1

Overview

  • Explore the important world of fungi with scientists from The Royal Botanic Garden and The Australian PlantBank.
  • Find out how fungi fit into the foodchain and their important role in ecosystems.

When: Friday 8 August 2014
Time: 12:00 pm – 1 pm
Registration

 

Aboriginal use of Plants

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Overview

  • Learn how plants have been used by Aboriginal people for food, medicine, tools and weapons.
  • Students will learn how to identify and understand several native plants and their uses.
  • Students will gain an appreciation of Aboriginal perspectives in relation to sustainability and bush care

When: Friday 29 August 2014
Time: 11.30 am -12.15 pm and 1.30 pm – 2.30 pm
Registration
Cost: $3 per head

 

Plant Classification (Year 7-8)

xanthorrea

Overview

  • Living World SC4-14LW Biology.
  • Classifying 5 plant groups – identifying and comparing structural differences between plants.

When: Friday 5 September 2014
Time: 10:30 am -11:30 am and 1.30 pm – 2.30 pm
Registration: 10.30 am or 1.30 pm
Cost: $3 per head

 

Threatened Species Day – Wollemi Pine

p Wollemi pine ANN11

Overview

  • Let’s celebrate the 20th anniversary of the discovery of the Wollemi pine.!
  • Science staff from PlantBank will talk about some of their exciting conservation projects, working to to save Australian plant species.

When: Monday 8 September 2014
Time:12:00 pm – 1 pm
Registration

 

Pollination (Year 11 Biology)

Pollination of Rhodanthe anthemoides

Overview

  • Expanding on the Australian Biota (Biology topic), explore the structural features of Australian plants and how their flowers are pollinated.
  • This Video Conference is an essential extension of Australian Biota excursions at The Royal Botanic Gardens.

When: Friday 12 September 2014
Time: 10.30 am – 11.30am and 1:30 pm – 2.30 pm
Registration: 10.30 am or 1.30 pm
Cost: $3 per head

 

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Mapping with Matthew Flinders

The map of Australia and many of our place names are the work of Matthew Flinders but how well do we know this important explorer? Come on a journey of discovery with the State Library of NSW as we commemorate 200 years since his death.

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The State Library collection encompasses many of Matthew Flinders personal possessions, including his chess set, sword and miniature writing box.  See some of these treasures up close as we circumnavigate Australia with the great explorer and his cat Trim in this one hour, free video conference.

a082001rWe’ll retrace his journey and hunt for treasure along the way in this interactive experience on 24 July.  Bookings through DART Connections.

 

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Art Around the Library

Come behind the scenes and explore the amazing pictures collection at the State Library of NSW in this 5 part video conference series. Inspire your inner artist in these five, hour long interactive sessions. Each experience examines a different artwork from the collection, followed by a hands-on workshop where your students will create artworks using different techniques including perspective drawing, painitng, collage and 3D modelling to build their observational and art-making skills.

DSC_6045_webBook for one session or for all five, and best of all, it’s FREE! Pre and post visit notes complete the experience and outline curriculum links, and we encourage you to use this as a springboard for further art-making adventures: one school recently held an art exhibition in their hall for parents and students, showcasing all the artworks produced by their students during this VC series.

According to teachers who have participated, Art Around the Library is ‘a great way to easily get experts into your school’ and ‘a great way to bring history to life’. The next series will run on Tuesdays beginning week 2, Term 3. Bookings can be made at DART Connections.

 

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Law of the land: troopers, trackers and bushrangers

Sydney Living Museums is pleased to offer this engaging virtual excursion about troopers, trackers and bushrangers in the gold rush era. This educational history videoconference is available to primary schools across Australia and around the world and allows your students to interact live with our mounted trooper presenter. Suitable for Stage 3 students – Years 5 and 6.

State Library of Victoria

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