2016 Events

We had a big year of events 2015 with Virtual Excursions Australia delivering hundreds of session reaching 10’s of thousands of students across Australia and the world. We finished up the year with the reVEAl conference in December bringing 120 delegate together.

reVEAL had delegates join at the Australian Museum in Sydney, the Australian Centre of Moving Image in Melbourne and though the live web stream. The full day program had a variety of sessions for content providers and teachers.

ALIVE exhibition documentation

In 2016 Virtual Excursions Australia will host a variety of event including:

  • Harmony Day in March
  • World Environment Day 5 June
  • NAIDOC week 27 June – 1 July
  • SciFest throughout August
  • Threatened Species Day 7 September
  • Sea Week September
  • Earth Science Week October
  • ClickFest November

With 20 member organisations there is plenty of variety to suit every curriculum area and engage your students.  See the DART Connections or CONNECTme calendars for sessions and bookings. Please let us know if there are other topic are you would like us to be involved with.

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ClickFest 2015

SciFest showcases science across Australia

ClickFest is an annual video conferencing festival run in November each year. ClickFest is an exciting initiative from education organisations across Australia. It highlights the diversity and scope of video conferences available to schools across Australia. Sessions are delivered free or at reduced cost to schools, providing a great opportunity for teachers to give it a go.

Topics and programs will vary over the month long video conferencing festival to provide flexibility for teachers and students. Each day multiple sessions will be available on a variety of topics from content providers around Australia.

SciFest showcases science across Australia

2 November

ClickFest – Meet Winny

Time: 9:30

The Australian Museum launches the 2015 ClickFest Video Conferencing Festival with Winny our Muttaburrasaurs. Come along to meet Winny to learn more about Australian Dinosaurs.

ClickFest – The Big Issue Classroom
Time: 10:00

The Big Issue Classroom is a social enterprise initiative of The Big Issue. Our online workshops provide students with a “real-life” insight into homelessness, marginalisation and disadvantage, as experienced by thousands of Australians every night.

ClickFest – Fascinating Fossils

Time: 10:30

Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.

ClickFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 11:30

The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.
ClickFest – Australian Giants
Time: 13:30

Giant animals from dinosaurs to megafauna have roamed the Australian continent at different times. Find out about some of these Australian giants. Look at fossils and learn what they tell us about these extraordinary animals. Life sized reproductions and models will help us visualise life in the past.

3 November

ClickFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time: 10:00

Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. Minibeast Magnified brings the world of invertebrates to your students, engaging them in real science in local environments.

ClickFest – Fascinating Frogs

Time: 11:00

Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change.

4 November 2015

ClickFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time: 10:00

Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. Minibeast Magnified brings the world of invertebrates to your students, engaging them in real science in local environments.

ClickFest – Fascinating Frogs

Time: 11:00

Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change.

Clickfest : Liquid Nitrogen – Properties of Solids, Liquids and Gases
Time: 14:00

Find out how solids, liquids and gases change when rapidly heated and cooled.Smash a squash ball! Shrink a balloon instantly! What happens to living things if they are frozen?How can Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion explain a liquid nitrogen sprinkler?

Clickfest: Free Primary PD Session – Simple science experiments for Staff Development
Time: 15:30

Find out how your primary classroom can be transformed into an interactive science environment without breaking the bank. Learn how to use easily obtainable materials from the local shops to run hands-on experiments that cover chemistry, forces, light and sound.

5 November 2015

Clickfest: A Convict Story

Time: 9:30

Bring the convict story of Hyde Park Barracks Museum to your classroom with a virtual excursion! This theatrical presentation, woven together from historical source material, transports students back in time to learn about the life story of convict Ivan Gotney. Through active participation students gain insight into the daily lives of convicts at the barracks and the importance of convict labour to the development of the new colony.

ClickFest – Museum Secrets Revealed

Time: 10:00

This video conference provides a glimpse behind the scenes of Australia’s oldest natural history Museum. Become a detective and discover how scientists collect, preserve and display the many extraordinary specimens in their collection.

Clickfest: A Convict Story

Time: 11:30

Bring the convict story of Hyde Park Barracks Museum to your classroom with a virtual excursion! This theatrical presentation, woven together from historical source material, transports students back in time to learn about the life story of convict Ivan Gotney.

Clickfest: A Convict Story

Time: 13:30

Bring the convict story of Hyde Park Barracks Museum to your classroom with a virtual excursion! This theatrical presentation, woven together from historical source material, transports students back in time to learn about the life story of convict Ivan Gotney. Through active participation students gain insight into the daily lives of convicts at the barracks and the importance of convict labour to the development of the new colony.

ClickFest – Fascinating Fossils

Time: 14:00

Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.

6 November 2015

Clickfest: A Convict Story

Time: 9:30

Bring the convict story of Hyde Park Barracks Museum to your classroom with a virtual excursion! This theatrical presentation, woven together from historical source material, transports students back in time to learn about the life story of convict Ivan Gotney.

Clickfest: A Convict Story

Time: 11:30

Bring the convict story of Hyde Park Barracks Museum to your classroom with a virtual excursion! This theatrical presentation, woven together from historical source material, transports students back in time to learn about the life story of convict Ivan Gotney.

Clickfest: A Convict Story

Time: 13:30

Bring the convict story of Hyde Park Barracks Museum to your classroom with a virtual excursion! This theatrical presentation, woven together from historical source material, transports students back in time to learn about the life story of convict Ivan Gotney.

9 November 2015

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 9:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW.

ClickFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 9:30

The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

ClickFest – Fascinating Fossils

Time: 10:30

Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 11:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW. The trooper has lots of stories to tell about his life in the bush and his exploits in bringing the bushrangers to justice.

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 13:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW. The trooper has lots of stories to tell about his life in the bush and his exploits in bringing the bushrangers to justice.

10 November 2015

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 9:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW.

ClickFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time: 10:00

Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. Minibeast Magnified brings the world of invertebrates to your students, engaging them in real science in local environments.

ClickFest – Fascinating Frogs

Time: 11:00

Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change.

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 11:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW. The trooper has lots of stories to tell about his life in the bush and his exploits in bringing the bushrangers to justice.

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 13:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW.

Clickfest – The Big Issue Classroom

Time: 14:00

The Big Issue Classroom is a social enterprise initiative of The Big Issue. Our online workshops provide students with a “real-life” insight into homelessness, marginalisation and disadvantage, as experienced by thousands of Australians every night.

Clickfest: Free Primary TPL Session – Simple science experiments for Staff Development

Time: 15:30

Find out how your primary classroom can be transformed into an interactive science environment without breaking the bank. Learn how to use easily obtainable materials from the local shops to run hands-on experiments that cover chemistry, forces, light and sound.

11 November 2015

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 9:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW.

ClickFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time: 10:00

Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. Minibeast Magnified brings the world of invertebrates to your students, engaging them in real science in local environments.

ClickFest – Fascinating Frogs

Time: 11:00

Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change.

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 11:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW. The trooper has lots of stories to tell about his life in the bush and his exploits in bringing the bushrangers to justice.

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 13:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW.

12 November 2015

ClickFest – Museum Secrets Revealed

Time: 10:00

This video conference provides a glimpse behind the scenes of Australia’s oldest natural history Museum. Become a detective and discover how scientists collect, preserve and display the many extraordinary specimens in their collection.

ClickFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 13:00

The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

Clickfest : Human Body – Look at the 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? Heart, kidneys, bones, liver and other vital organs are discussed.

ClickFest – Fascinating Fossils

Time: 14:00

Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.

Clickfest: Free Primary TPL Session – Simple science experiments for Staff Development

Time: 15:30

Find out how your primary classroom can be transformed into an interactive science environment without breaking the bank. Learn how to use easily obtainable materials from the local shops to run hands-on experiments that cover chemistry, forces, light and sound.

13 November 2015

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 9:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW.

ClickFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 10:00

The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 11:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW. The trooper has lots of stories to tell about his life in the bush and his exploits in bringing the bushrangers to justice.

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 13:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW.

16 November 2015

Clickfest : K – 2 Science in Art

Time: 14:00

Explore chemistry in colourful art creations you can make in your class!  Your class participates in a number of activities as a series of group activities run in class during the video conference. Fizzics Education will provide information on the simple materials required prior to the event date.

17 November 2015

Clickfest: Free Primary TPL Session – Simple science experiments for Staff Development

Time: 15:30

Find out how your primary classroom can be transformed into an interactive science environment without breaking the bank. Learn how to use easily obtainable materials from the local shops to run hands-on experiments that cover chemistry, forces, light and sound.

19 November 2015

Clickfest : Creative chemistry workshop

Time: 10:00

Designed to cover a broad range of chemical concepts that is accessible to students. Kitchen chemistry found at home, physical changes vs. chemical reactions, acids vs bases and indicators to detect them, acid rain, properties of solids, liquids and gases, UV light and glowing chemicals and energy changes.

Clickfest : Creative chemistry workshop

Time: 11:30

Designed to cover a broad range of chemical concepts that is accessible to students. Kitchen chemistry found at home, physical changes vs. chemical reactions, acids vs bases and indicators to detect them, acid rain, properties of solids, liquids and gases, UV light and glowing chemicals and energy changes.

20 November 2015

ClickFest – The Big Issue Classroom

Time: 14:00

The Big Issue Classroom is a social enterprise initiative of The Big Issue. Our online workshops provide students with a “real-life” insight into homelessness, marginalisation and disadvantage, as experienced by thousands of Australians every night.

23 November 2015

Clickfest: Free Primary TPL Session – Simple science experiments for Staff Development

Time: 15:30

Find out how your primary classroom can be transformed into an interactive science environment without breaking the bank. Learn how to use easily obtainable materials from the local shops to run hands-on experiments that cover chemistry, forces, light and sound.

24 November 2015

Clickfest -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? Heart, kidneys, bones, liver and other vital organs.

Clickfest: Free Primary TPL Session – Simple science experiments for Staff Development

Time: 15:30

Find out how your primary classroom can be transformed into an interactive science environment without breaking the bank. Learn how to use easily obtainable materials from the local shops to run hands-on experiments that cover chemistry, forces, light and sound.

25 November 2015

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 9:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW.

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 11:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW.

Clickfest: Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 13:30

In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1880s to share an hour in the life of a mounted trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficulties the police faced in overcoming the threat of bushrangers in NSW.

Clickfest: 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 do stars work? What technological developments were necessary to allow astronauts to work and survive outside of Earth’s atmosphere?

26 November 2015

Clickfest: Weather and Pressure

Time: 09:30

What is air pressure? Why are low and high pressure areas important? How are clouds formed? What is our atmosphere made of anyway?What conditions are needed to cause tornadoes?

Clickfest: Weather and Pressure

Time: 11:30

Overview: Overview: What is air pressure? Why are low and high pressure areas important? How are clouds formed? What is our atmosphere made of anyway? What conditions are needed to cause tornadoes?

Clickfest: 4 Slimes in 30 minutes – Kitchen Chemistry fun!

Time: 14:00

4 slimes in 30 minutes…. how could you go wrong? Join Fizzics Education as we dive into kitchen chemistry in this fun yet educational workshop. Slimes we will investigate are – Non-newtonian fluid, Edible blood slime (gross), Soapy slime and Flubber

Clickfest: Free Primary TPL Session – Simple science experiments for Staff Development

Time: 15:30

Find out how your primary classroom can be transformed into an interactive science environment without breaking the bank. Learn how to use easily obtainable materials from the local shops to run hands-on experiments that cover chemistry, forces, light and sound.

27 November 2015

Clickfest : Science of Sound

Time: 9:30

What do sound waves look like? Do soundwaves always travel at the same speed? How does the Doppler effect work? What is resonance? How does a soundwave change with pitch and increasing volume.

Clickfest : Science of Sound

Time: 11:30

What do sound waves look like? Do soundwaves always travel at the same speed? How does the Doppler effect work? What is resonance? How does a soundwave change with pitch and increasing volume.

ClickFest – The Big Issue Classroom

Time: 14:00

The Big Issue Classroom is a social enterprise initiative of The Big Issue. Our online workshops provide students with a “real-life” insight into homelessness, marginalisation and disadvantage, as experienced by thousands of Australians every night.

Clickfest: 4 Slimes in 30 minutes – Kitchen Chemistry fun!

Time: 14:00

4 slimes in 30 minutes…. how could you go wrong? Join Fizzics Education as we dive into kitchen chemistry in this fun yet educational workshop. Slimes we will investigate are – Non-newtonian fluid, Edible blood slime (gross), Soapy slime and Flubber

30 November 2015

Clickfest : Light & Colour Science

Time: 9:30

Students learn about properties of light in this fun interactive workshop! Investigate rainbows using the visible light spectrum, plus learn about colour addition and subtractio, Mix creative colour changing chemical concoctions, see illusions and more.

ClickFest – The Big Issue Classroom

Time: 11:30

The Big Issue Classroom is a social enterprise initiative of The Big Issue. Our online workshops provide students with a “real-life” insight into homelessness, marginalisation and disadvantage, as experienced by thousands of Australians every night.

Clickfest : Light & Colour Science

Time: 11:30

Students learn about properties of light in this fun interactive workshop! Investigate rainbows using the visible light spectrum, plus learn about colour addition and subtractio, Mix creative colour changing chemical concoctions, see illusions and more.

Clickfest : Liquid Nitrogen – Properties of Solids, Liquids and Gases

Time: 14:00

Find out how solids, liquids and gases change when rapidly heated and cooled.Smash a squash ball! Shrink a balloon instantly! What happens to living things if they are frozen?How can Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion explain a liquid nitrogen sprinkler?

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Conference – reVEAl 2015

We are pleased to announce the Virtual Excursions Australia conference reVEAl on Tuesday 8 December. reVEAl will be FREE to all presenters and delegates.

VIC VEA group edit

ACMI in Victoria and the Australian Museum in NSW will be hosting the reVEAl. We will have presenters and delegates in each venue connected with via video conference. People can also dial into a single session or the whole conference.

The day is being designed to be fun, interactive and to provide networking opportunities for both teachers and content providers. There will be a variety of short sessions to provide something for everyone.

Content Provider Stream

9:15am – 9:30am          Arrival & registration
9:30am – 9:45am          reVEAl welcome
9:45am – 10:00am        Value of video conferencing for cultural institutions
10:00am –  10.15am    Techniques in presenting to camera
10:15am – 10:45am     Tech talk

Morning Tea

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

Lunch

School Showcase

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

Afternoon Tea

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

 

Reveal_Logo_WIP3

 

Earth Science Week

Earth Science Week is celebrated from 11-17 October 2015. Join Virtual Excursions Australia to get involved in a week of down to earth fun!

Earth Science Week is an international celebration initiated and hosted by the American Geosciences Institute, promoting the importance of the geosciences to the community

ALIVE exhibition documentation

12 Oct

Earth Science Week: Earthquakes, Volcanos, Meteors & more!
Time: 14:00

A hands-on science workshop where students investigate all manner of natural disasters.Your students will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, meteorites, cyclones, pandemics and more in this engaging video conferencing workshop. Great for Earth Science Week!

 

13 Oct

Earth Science Week – Fascinating Fossils
Time: 9:30

Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.

 

Earth Science Week: Earthquakes, Volcanos, Meteors & more!
Time: 9:30

A hands-on science workshop where students investigate all manner of natural disasters. Your students will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, meteorites, cyclones, pandemics and more in this engaging video conferencing workshop. Great for Earth Science Week!

 

Earth Science Week – Geology Rocks
Time: 11:00

The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

 

Earth Science Week: Earthquakes, Volcanos, Meteors & more!
Time: 11:30

A hands-on science workshop where students investigate all manner of natural disasters. Your students will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, meteorites, cyclones, pandemics and more in this engaging video conferencing workshop. Great for Earth Science Week!

 

Earth Science Week: Earthquakes, Volcanos, Meteors & more!
Time: 14:00

A hands-on science workshop where students investigate all manner of natural disasters. Your students will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, meteorites, cyclones, pandemics and more in this engaging video conferencing workshop. Great for Earth Science Week!

 

14 Oct

Earth Science Week: Earthquakes, Volcanos, Meteors & more!
Time: 9:30

A hands-on science workshop where students investigate all manner of natural disasters. Your students will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, meteorites, cyclones, pandemics and more in this engaging video conferencing workshop. Great for Earth Science Week!

 

Earth Science Week: Earthquakes, Volcanos, Meteors & more!
Time: 11:30

A hands-on science workshop where students investigate all manner of natural disasters. Your students will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, meteorites, cyclones, pandemics and more in this engaging video conferencing workshop. Great for Earth Science Week!

 

Earth Science Week: Earthquakes, Volcanos, Meteors & more!
Time: 14:00

A hands-on science workshop where students investigate all manner of natural disasters. Your students will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, meteorites, cyclones, pandemics and more in this engaging video conferencing workshop. Great for Earth Science Week!

 

15 Oct

Earth Science Week: Earthquakes, Volcanos, Meteors & more!
Time: 9:30

A hands-on science workshop where students investigate all manner of natural disasters. Your students will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, meteorites, cyclones, pandemics and more in this engaging video conferencing workshop. Great for Earth Science Week!

 

Earth Science Week: Earthquakes, Volcanos, Meteors & more!
Time: 14:00

A hands-on science workshop where students investigate all manner of natural disasters. Your students will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, meteorites, cyclones, pandemics and more in this engaging video conferencing workshop. Great for Earth Science Week!

 

16 Oct

Earth Science Week: Earthquakes, Volcanos, Meteors & more!
Time: 9:30

A hands-on science workshop where students investigate all manner of natural disasters. Your students will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, meteorites, cyclones, pandemics and more in this engaging video conferencing workshop. Great for Earth Science Week!

 

Earth Science Week – Fascinating Fossils
Time: 9:30

Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.

 

Earth Science Week – Geology Rocks
Time: 11:00

The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

 

Earth Science Week: Earthquakes, Volcanos, Meteors & more!
Time: 11:30

A hands-on science workshop where students investigate all manner of natural disasters.Your students will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, meteorites, cyclones, pandemics and more in this engaging video conferencing workshop. Great for Earth Science Week!

 

Earth Science Week: Earthquakes, Volcanos, Meteors & more!
Time: 14:00

A hands-on science workshop where students investigate all manner of natural disasters.Your students will learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, meteorites, cyclones, pandemics and more in this engaging video conferencing workshop. Great for Earth Science Week!

 

Earth Science Week

 

 

 

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

NAIDOC Week 2015

NAIDOC Week is held in the first full week of July. It is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.

This year the theme highlights Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ strong spiritual and cultural connection to land and sea. The theme is an opportunity to pay respects to country; honour those who work tirelessly on preserving land, sea and culture and to share the stories of many sites of significance or sacred places with the nation.

Virtual Excursions Australia is presenting the NAIDOC Week Video Conferencing Festival. This event will run before and after the July school holidays for student across Australia. Please join the Australian Museum, Australian National Maritime Museum, State Library of NSW and Sydney Olympic Park for a series of fabulous events.

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22 June

NAIDOC – Create YOUR Australian flag

Time: 10:00

Overview: In this special NAIDOC week art workshop students will explore Indigenous culture and art from various regions of Australia. In this lesson students will create their own Australian Flag by investigating their cultural heritage as well as that of Australia’s first inhabitants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

NAIDOC – Create YOUR Australian flag

Time: 11:00

Overview: In this special NAIDOC week art workshop students will explore Indigenous culture and art from various regions of Australia. In this lesson students will create their own Australian Flag by investigating their cultural heritage as well as that of Australia’s first inhabitants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

NAIDOC – Create YOUR Australian flag

Time: 12:00

Overview: In this special NAIDOC week art workshop students will explore Indigenous culture and art from various regions of Australia. In this lesson students will create their own Australian Flag by investigating their cultural heritage as well as that of Australia’s first inhabitants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

 

23 June

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 10:00

Overview: To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous Programs Manager Donna Carstens and special guest Uncle Terry will discuss the cultural significance of water to indigenous people. Water is integral to the everyday life of communities for survival, travel and play. Learn an traditional dance, examine an Indigenous artwork and build a canoe replica.

NAIDOC – Create YOUR Australian flag

Time: 10:00

Overview: In this special NAIDOC week art workshop students will explore Indigenous culture and art from various regions of Australia. In this lesson students will create their own Australian Flag by investigating their cultural heritage as well as that of Australia’s first inhabitants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

NAIDOC – Create YOUR Australian flag

Time: 11:00

Overview: In this special NAIDOC week art workshop students will explore Indigenous culture and art from various regions of Australia. In this lesson students will create their own Australian Flag by investigating their cultural heritage as well as that of Australia’s first inhabitants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

NAIDOC – Create YOUR Australian flag

Time: 12:00

Overview: In this special NAIDOC week art workshop students will explore Indigenous culture and art from various regions of Australia. In this lesson students will create their own Australian Flag by investigating their cultural heritage as well as that of Australia’s first inhabitants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 14:00

Overview: To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous Programs Manager Donna Carstens and special guest Uncle Terry will discuss the cultural significance of water to indigenous people. Water is integral to the everyday life of communities for survival, travel and play. Learn an traditional dance, examine an Indigenous artwork and build a canoe replica.

 

24 June

NAIDOC Week – Language on Tumblr and Sacred Land Sculpture workshop

Time: 10:00

Overview: This interactive video conference for Stage 2 and 3 students is centred on the NAIDOC 2015 theme of We all stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate. Learn about the State Library language resources with the Indigenous Services team, and see how they are now being shared through social media. Use some Sydney Language words in a creative activity where students reflect on sacred places and build a miniature 3D model of their own special place

 

26 June

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 10:00

Overview: To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous Programs Manager Donna Carstens and special guest Uncle Terry will discuss the cultural significance of water to indigenous people. Water is integral to the everyday life of communities for survival, travel and play. Learn an traditional dance, examine an Indigenous artwork and build a canoe replica.

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 14:00

Overview: To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous Programs Manager Donna Carstens and special guest Uncle Terry will discuss the cultural significance of water to indigenous people. Water is integral to the everyday life of communities for survival, travel and play. Learn an traditional dance, examine an Indigenous artwork and build a canoe replica.

 

14 July

NAIDOC Week – Indigenous Totem workshop

Time: 11:00

Overview: The Indigenous Totems session is a practical workshop where students learn about lifestyles and beliefs of Indigenous Australians whilst creating their own totem. Concepts and culture will be demonstrated with real artifacts and aboriginal cultural material.

NAIDOC Week – Indigenous Totem workshop

Time: 12:00

Overview: The Indigenous Totems session is a practical workshop where students learn about lifestyles and beliefs of Indigenous Australians whilst creating their own totem. Concepts and culture will be demonstrated with real artifacts and aboriginal cultural material.

NAIDOC Week – Indigenous Totem workshop

Time: 13:00

Overview: The Indigenous Totems session is a practical workshop where students learn about lifestyles and beliefs of Indigenous Australians whilst creating their own totem. Concepts and culture will be demonstrated with real artifacts and aboriginal cultural material.

 

15 July

NAIDOC KOORI CLASSROOM: The origins and meaning of NAIDOC

Time: 14:00

Overview: “To know the future we must first know the past” (Aunty Fran Bodkin D’harawal Elder). In this session of our Koori Classroom series, D’harawal knowledge keeper, Shannon Foster will guide students through the origins of NAIDOC – also part of her own family story.

 

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920′s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.

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Virtual Excursions Australia is proud to support this event

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ClickFest 2014

SciFest showcases science across Australia

ClickFest is an annual video conferencing festival run in November each year. ClickFest is an exciting initiative from education organisations across Australia. It highlights the diversity and scope of video conferences available to schools across Australia. Sessions are delivered free or at reduced cost to schools, providing a great opportunity for teachers to give it a go.

Topics and programs will vary over the month long video conferencing festival to provide flexibilty for teachers and students. Each day multiple sessions will be available on a variety of topics from content providers around Australia.

SciFest showcases science across Australia

4 November 2014

CLICKFEST: Transport Past & Present
Time: 10:00
Overview: Have you ever wondered what types of transport zoomed around our streets, railways and skies before motor cars, electric trains and planes? Come find out with Finn, our 20th Century transpor…

CLICKFEST: Sustainable Solutions Workshop
Time: 11:30
Overview: Put on your eco-designer thinking caps and take part in this hands-on workshop! Learn about ecological footprints and what it means to be sustainable. Meet Mr Airhead and teach him how to th…

CLICKFEST: Creative chemistry workshop
Time: 14:00
Overview: Designed to cover a broad range of chemical concepts that is accessible to primary students.- kitchen chemistry found at home- physical changes vs. chemical reactions- acids vs bases and ind…

CLICKFEST: Primary PD Session – Simple science experiments for Staff Development
Time: 15:30
Overview: Find out how your primary classroom can be transformed into an interactive science environment without breaking the bank. Learn how to use easily obtainable materials from the local shops to…

5 November 2014

CLICKFEST: For Good Measure fun with measurement and standards
Time: 10:00
Overview: What do ‘Peter Piper’ and ‘Jack and Jill’ nursery rhymes have to do with maths and measurement? What are gills, bushels, pecks and the smoot? Find out in this special hands-on maths video co…

CLICKFEST: Minibeast Magnified
Time: 11:00
Overview: 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.Minibeasts Magnif…
5 November 2014 cont.

CLICKFEST: Museum Secrets Revealed
Time: 10:00
Overview: Become a detective and discover how scientists collect, preserve and display the many extraordinary specimens in their collection. Explore the Australian Museum specimens to investigate how …

CLICKFEST: Geology Rocks
Time: 13:00
Overview: 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 vo…

6 November 2014

CLICKFEST: Human Body – Look at the major body systems and senses
Time: 09:00
Overview: 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? Heart, kidneys, bones, liver and other…

ClickFest – Australian Giants

Time: 09:30

Overview: Giant animals from dinosaurs to megafauna have roamed the Australian continent at different times. Find out about some of these Australian giants. Look at fossils and learn what they tell us…

ClickFest – Australian Giants

Time: 10:30

Overview: Giant animals from dinosaurs to megafauna have roamed the Australian continent at different times. Find out about some of these Australian giants. Look at fossils and learn what they tell us…

7 November 2014

CLICKFEST: Innovation (Yr 4-10)
Time: 09:30
Overview: Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre offers engaging workshops that enable students to explore science, technology and innovation through experience. Whether they are inves…

CLICKFEST: Innovation (Yr 4 – 10)
Time: 11:30
Overview: Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre offers engaging workshops that enable students to explore science, technology and innovation through experience. Whether they are inves…

CLICKFEST: Innovation (Yr 4-10)
Time: 13:30
Overview: Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre offers engaging workshops that enable students to explore science, technology and innovation through experience. Whether they are inves…

CLICKFEST: Museum Secrets Revealed
Time: 10:00
Overview: Become a detective and discover how scientists collect, preserve and display the many extraordinary specimens in their collection. Explore the Australian Museum specimens to investigate how …

CLICKFEST: Minibeast Magnified
Time: 11:00
Overview: 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. Minibeasts Magnif…

CLICKFEST: Geology Rocks
Time: 13:00
Overview: 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 vo…

10 November 2014

CLICKFEST: 4 Slimes in 30 minutes – Kitchen Chemistry fun!
Time: 14:30
Overview: 4 slimes in 30 minutes…. how could you go wrong?!?Join Fizzics Education for SciFest as we dive into kitchen chemistry in this fun yet educational workshop. Slimes we will investigate are:-…

11 November 2014

CLICKFEST: Transport Past & Present
Time: 10:00
Overview: Have you ever wondered what types of transport zoomed around our streets, railways and skies before motor cars, electric trains and planes? Come find out with Finn, our 20th Century transpor…

CLICKFEST – Art Around the Library Session 3 – Captain Cook – Portrait drawing

Time: 10:00

Overview: Explore the extraordinary Pictures Collection of the State Library of NSW in this exciting new series of video conferences held on Tuesdays during Term 4. Highlighting five different artwork…

CLICKFEST: Sustainable Solutions Workshop
Time: 11:30
Overview: Put on your eco-designer thinking caps and take part in this hands-on workshop! Learn about ecological footprints and what it means to be sustainable. Meet Mr Airhead and teach him how to th…

CLICKFEST – Art Around the Library Session 3 – Captain Cook – Portrait drawing

Time: 12:00

Overview: Explore the extraordinary Pictures Collection of the State Library of NSW in this exciting new series of video conferences held on Tuesdays during Term 4. Highlighting five different artwork…

12 November 2014

CLICKFEST: For Good Measure fun with measurement and standards
Time: 10:00
Overview: What do ‘Peter Piper’ and ‘Jack and Jill’ nursery rhymes have to do with maths and measurement? What are gills, bushels, pecks and the smoot? Find out in this special hands-on maths video co…

18 November 2014

CLICKFEST: Transport Past & Present
Time: 10:00
Overview: Have you ever wondered what types of transport zoomed around our streets, railways and skies before motor cars, electric trains and planes? Come find out with Finn, our 20th Century transpor…

CLICKFEST: Sustainable Solutions Workshop
Time: 11:30
Overview: Put on your eco-designer thinking caps and take part in this hands-on workshop! Learn about ecological footprints and what it means to be sustainable. Meet Mr Airhead and teach him how to th…

19 November 2014

Clickfest – Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 09:30

Overview: In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1850s to share an hour in the life of a Mounted Trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficult.

CLICKFEST: For Good Measure fun with measurement and standards
Time: 10:00
Overview: What do ‘Peter Piper’ and ‘Jack and Jill’ nursery rhymes have to do with maths and measurement? What are gills, bushels, pecks and the smoot? Find out in this special hands-on maths video co…

CLICKFEST: Museum Secrets Revealed
Time: 10:00
Overview: Become a detective and discover how scientists collect, preserve and display the many extraordinary specimens in their collection. Explore the Australian Museum specimens to investigate how …

CLICKFEST: Minibeast Magnified
Time: 11:00
Overview: 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.Minibeasts Magnif…

Clickfest – Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 11:00

Overview: In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1850s to share an hour in the life of a Mounted Trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficult.

CLICKFEST: Geology Rocks
Time: 13:00
Overview: 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 vo…

21 November 2014

Time: 09:30
Overview: In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1850s to share an hour in the life of a Mounted Trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficult…

Clickfest – Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 11:00
Overview: In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1850s to share an hour in the life of a Mounted Trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficult..

CLICKFEST: Museum Secretes Revealed
Time: 14:00
Overview: Become a detective and discover how scientists collect, preserve and display the many extraordinary specimens in their collection. Explore the Australian Museum specimens to investigate how …

Clickfest – Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 12:30

Overview: In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1850s to share an hour in the life of a Mounted Trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficult…

25 November 2014

Clickfest – Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 09:30

Overview: In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1850s to share an hour in the life of a Mounted Trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficult…

CLICKFEST: Transport Past & Present
Time: 10:00
Overview: Have you ever wondered what types of transport zoomed around our streets, railways and skies before motor cars, electric trains and planes? Come find out with Finn, our 20th Century transpor…

Clickfest – Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 11:00

Overview: In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1850s to share an hour in the life of a Mounted Trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficult…

CLICKFEST: Sustainable Solutions Workshop
Time: 11:30
Overview: Put on your eco-designer thinking caps and take part in this hands-on workshop! Learn about ecological footprints and what it means to be sustainable. Meet Mr Airhead and teach him how to th…

Clickfest – Law of the Land: Troopers, Trackers and Bushrangers

Time: 12:30

Overview: In this virtual excursion your students will go back in time to the 1850s to share an hour in the life of a Mounted Trooper (played by a costumed interpreter) as he talks about the difficult…

26 November 2014

CLICKFEST: For Good Measure fun with measurement and standards
Time: 10:00
Overview: What do ‘Peter Piper’ and ‘Jack and Jill’ nursery rhymes have to do with maths and measurement? What are gills, bushels, pecks and the smoot? Find out in this special hands-on maths video co…

 
Clickfest: Water and Indigenous people

Time: 11:30

Overview: Join Indigenous Programs Manager Donna Carstens as she discusses the cultural significance of water to indigenous people. Water is integral to the everyday life of communities for survival, ..

 

27 November 2014
Clickfest ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Maritime Archaeology

Time: 11:30

Overview: ANMM UNLOCKEDWith ANMM unlocked series, go behind the scenes at the museum and direct to our experts. Maritime Archaeology Manager Kieran Hosty will give students an insight into the role of…

 
Clickfest Pirate School From Cyberspace Attack!

Time: 14:00

Overview: All is not right on the world wide web! The news is out that there has been a series of pirate attacks at a virtual excursion near you! Join the Australian National Maritime Museum’s Pirates…

28 November 2014
Clickfest Pirate School From Cyberspace Attack!

Time: 14:00

Overview: All is not right on the world wide web! The news is out that there has been a series of pirate attacks at a virtual excursion near you! Join the Australian National Maritime Museum’s Pirates…

 

These sessions are being hosted by the Distance and Rural Technologies (DART).  DART connections help us by providing a booking system, technical support and marketing to teachers.

SciFest 2014

SciFest showcases science across Australia

It is time to start planning for SciFest and National Science Week. The SciFest video conferencing festival is on 4 – 8 August and provides a great lead in to National Science Week 16 – 24 August.  Join in with SciFest and National Science Week to enjoy and explore the wonders and benefits of science.

SciFest showcases science across Australia

SciFest provides an opportunity for your students to connect with exciting science, experts and experiments without leaving your classroom. There will be a variety of activities for students and teachers across the 5 day video conferencing festival. This means there will be something to interest every student.

 

Monday 4 August

SciFest – Museum Secretes Revealed

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

Time: 10am

SciFest – Minibeast Magnified

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.

Time: 11am

SciFest: Liquid Nitrogen Show – Properties of Solids, Liquids and Gases

Find out how solids, liquids and gases change when rapidly heated and cooled. Smash a squash ball! Shrink a balloon instantly! What happens to living things if they are frozen?

Time: 12.00pm

SciFest – Geology Rocks

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.

Time: 12.30pm

SciFest -Minibeast Magnified

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.

Time: 2pm

SciFest: Liquid Nitrogen Show – Properties of Solids, Liquids and Gases

Find out how solids, liquids and gases change when rapidly heated and cooled. Smash a squash ball! Shrink a balloon instantly! What happens to living things if they are frozen?

Time: 2.00pm

 

Tuesday 5 August

SciFest: Transport: Past & Present

Have you ever wondered what types of transport zoomed around our streets, railways and skies before motor cars, electric trains and planes? Join the Powerhouse Museum with Finn, their 20th Century transport enthusiast, as he transports you back in time to Sydney in the early 1900s.

Time: 10am

SciFest: Sustainable Solutions Workshop

Put on your eco-designer thinking caps and take part in this hands-on workshop! Learn about ecological footprints and what it means to be sustainable.

Time: 11.30am

SciFest – ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Conservation

With Australian National Maritime Museum unlocked series, go behind the scenes at the museum and direct to our experts. Meet conservator Rebecca Dallwitz who will discuss conservation practices at the museum.

Time: 11.30am

SciFest – Meet the Experts

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

Time: 2pm

SciFest: K – 2 Science in Art

Explore chemistry in colourful art creations you can make in your class!
Your class participates in a number of activities as a series of group activities run in class during the video conference.

Time: 2pm

 

Wednesday 6 August

SciFest: For Good Measure: Fun with measurement and standards

What do ‘Peter Piper’ and ‘Jack and Jill’ nursery rhymes have to do with maths and measurement? What are gills, bushels, pecks and the smoot? Find out in this special hands-on maths video conference!

Time: 10am

SciFest – ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Conservation

With Australian National Maritime Museum unlocked series, go behind the scenes at the museum and direct to our experts. Meet conservator Rebecca Dallwitz who will discuss conservation practices at the museum.

Time: 10am

SciFest – Meet the Experts

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

Time: 2pm

Scifest: 4 Slimes in 30 minutes – Kitchen Chemistry fun!

4 slimes in 30 minutes…. how could you go wrong! Join Fizzics Education for SciFest as we dive into kitchen chemistry in this fun yet educational workshop

Time: 2pm

 

Thursday 7 August

SciFest: Stars and Planets

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?

Time: 9.30am

SciFest – ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Conservation

With Australian National Maritime Museum unlocked series, go behind the scenes at the museum and direct to our experts. Meet conservator Rebecca Dallwitz who will discuss conservation practices at the museum.

Time: 2pm

SciFest – Meet the Experts

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

Time: 2pm

Scifest: 4 Slimes in 30 minutes – Kitchen Chemistry fun!

4 slimes in 30 minutes…. how could you go wrong! Join Fizzics Education for SciFest as we dive into kitchen chemistry in this fun yet educational workshop

Time: 2pm

 

Friday 8 August

SciFest – Weather and Pressure

What is air pressure? Why are low and high pressure areas important? How are clouds formed? What is our atmosphere made of anyway?

Time: 9.30am

SciFest – Museum Secretes Revealed

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

Time: 10am

SciFest – Minibeast Magnified

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.

Time: 11am

SciFest – Weather and Pressure

What is air pressure? Why are low and high pressure areas important? How are clouds formed? What is our atmosphere made of anyway?

Time: 11.30am

SciFest – Fantastic Fungi

Join our Royal Botanic Garden research scientist and explore the important world of fungi from The Royal Botanic Garden and The Australian PlantBank.

Time: 12 noon

SciFest – Geology Rocks

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.

Time: 12.30pm

SciFest – Minibeast Magnigfied

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.

Time: 2pm

SciFest – Weather and Pressure

What is air pressure? Why are low and high pressure areas important? How are clouds formed? What is our atmosphere made of anyway?

Time: 2pm

 

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

NAIDOC Week 2014

NAIDOC Week is held in the first full week of July. It is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.

Virtual Excursions Australia is presenting the NAIDOC Week Video Conferencing Festival. This event will run before and after the July school holidays for student across Australia. Please join the Australian Museum, Australian National Maritime Museum, State Library of NSW,  National Library of Australia and Sydney Olympic Park for a series of fabulous events.

Derek from the Australian Museum presenting the Totems workshop
Derek from the Australian Museum presenting the Totems workshop

17 June

KOORI CLASSROOM: NAIDOC to today

Time: 10:30 & Time: 14:00

Overview: “To know the future we must first know the past” (Aunty Fran Bodkin D’harawal Elder). In this session of our Koori Classroom series, D’harawal knowledge keeper, Shannon Foster will guide students through the origins of NAIDOC – also part of her own family story.

 

18 June

NAIDOC Week – Boori Monty Pryor – Writing Workshop

Time: 12:00

Overview: Boori Monty Pryor will talk about his life and work as an author and performer and lead the students through an interactive writing workshop

 

20 June

NAIDOC Week – Indigenous Totems workshop

In this practical workshop students learn about lifestyles and beliefs of Indigenous Australians whilst creating their own totem.

Time: 10:00

NAIDOC Week – Indigenous Art Workshop

In this practical workshop students create an artwork of their own. They explore Indigenous culture and art from various regions of Australia.

Time: 11:00

 

24 June

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 10:00

Overview: To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous Programs Manager Donna Carstens will discuss the cultural significance of water to indigenous people. Water is integral to the everyday life of communities for survival, travel and play. Listen to a Dreaming story, examine an Indigenous artwork and build a canoe replica.

KOORI CLASSROOM: NAIDOC to today

Time: 10:30

Overview: “To know the future we must first know the past” (Aunty Fran Bodkin D’harawal Elder). In this session of our Koori Classroom series, D’harawal knowledge keeper, Shannon Foster will guide students through the origins of NAIDOC – also part of her own family story.

NAIDOC Week – Create YOUR Australian flag

Time: 14:00

Overview: In this special NAIDOC week art workshop students will explore Indigenous culture and art from various regions of Australia. In this lesson students will create their own Australian Flag by investigating their cultural heritage as well as that of Australia’s first inhabitants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

KOORI CLASSROOM: NAIDOC to today

Time: 14:00

Overview: “To know the future we must first know the past” (Aunty Fran Bodkin D’harawal Elder). In this session of our Koori Classroom series, D’harawal knowledge keeper, Shannon Foster will guide students through the origins of NAIDOC – also part of her own family story.

 

25 June

NAIDOC – Create YOUR Australian flag

Time: 14:00

Overview: In this special NAIDOC week art workshop students will explore Indigenous culture and art from various regions of Australia. In this lesson students will create their own Australian Flag by investigating their cultural heritage as well as that of Australia’s first inhabitants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

 

26 June

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 11:30

Overview: To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous Programs Manager Donna Carstens will discuss the cultural significance of water to indigenous people. Water is integral to the everyday life of communities for survival, travel and play. Listen to a Dreaming story, examine an Indigenous artwork and build a canoe replica.

 

27 June

NAIDOC Week – Indigenous Totem workshop

Time: 10:00

Overview: The Indigenous Totems session is a practical workshop where students learn about lifestyles and beliefs of Indigenous Australians whilst creating their own totem. Concepts and culture will be demonstrated with real artifacts and aboriginal cultural material.

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 10:00

Overview: To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous Programs Manager Donna Carstens will discuss the cultural significance of water to indigenous people. Water is integral to the everyday life of communities for survival, travel and play. Listen to a Dreaming story, examine an Indigenous artwork and build a canoe replica.

NAIDOC Week – Indigenous Art workshop

Time: 11:00

Overview: Students explore Indigenous culture and art from various regions of Australia. Students investigate the traditional styles, symbols, materials and tools of Indigenous art around Australia. They use Indigenous art and cultural objects as a stimulus to create their own design.

 

16 July

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 10:00

Overview: To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous Programs Manager Donna Carstens will discuss the cultural significance of water to indigenous people. Water is integral to the everyday life of communities for survival, travel and play. Listen to a Dreaming story, examine an Indigenous artwork and build a canoe replica.

 

17 July

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 14:00

Overview: To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous Programs Manager Donna Carstens will discuss the cultural significance of water to indigenous people. Water is integral to the everyday life of communities for survival, travel and play. Listen to a Dreaming story, examine an Indigenous artwork and build a canoe replica.

 

18 July

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 10:00

Overview: To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous Programs Manager Donna Carstens will discuss the cultural significance of water to indigenous people. Water is integral to the everyday life of communities for survival, travel and play. Listen to a Dreaming story, examine an Indigenous artwork and build a canoe replica.

 

23 -2 7 June or 21 – 25 July

NAIDOC Week – NAIDOC and Neighours

Time: By appointment

Overview: This workshop focussing on the fascinating, but little known story of Aya-I-Ga, also known as Neighbour. Neighbour was the first Indigenous Australian to receive the Albert Medal for gallantry. This program allows participants to interact with the National Library of Australia’s presenters, original objects and photographs and is suitable for students in Years 7-10.

 

Virtual Excursions Australia is proud to support this event

 

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920′s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.

NAIDOC week 2014

 

Meet Jennifer Griffes Shechet

Meet Jennifer Griffes Shechet – Earth and planetary scientist on the Mars Curiosity Rover team. 

Joining California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2008 as a research assistant in planetary geology, Jennifer now works in operations for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover. She was previously involved in the analysis of the potential Curiosity landing sites, as well as on the HiRISE team (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment). HiRISE is a high-resolution camera onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) including characterising sedimentary layers in HiRISE images over the global Martian surface.

Since Curiosity landed in August 2012 Jennifer has been working on mission operations as a keeper of the plan “I help build the plan fragments that get sent up to the rover”, characterising the terrains the rover has driven over and “assessing the predictive capabilities of terrain we will drive over in the future, to best protect the rover wheels from future wheel damage.”

Live from the Caltech, Jennifer will talk about her studies and career as a planetary scientist, her current role with the Curiosity mission and what it’s like working in a scientific team at the frontier of human discovery..

This free virtual excursion event is presented to you by The Mars Lab

This event will be held at 9:30 – 10.00 am (EST) Friday 16 May 2014

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Jennifer Griffes Shechet

Click HERE to Book your virtual excursion today.