Tag: science

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Clean Up Australia

Get ready for Clean Up Australia Day with a series of video conferences from the Australian Museum and Australian National Maritime Museum.

Since 1992, school communities across Australia have demonstrated their support for caring for the environment through participating in Schools Clean Up Day.

So far 2,223 primary schools and 1,119 youth groups have removed rubbish from locations right across the country.

Tuesday 28 February

Meet Clean Up Australia Co Founder Kim McKay

Time: 09:30

Overview: Find out more about Clean Up Australian Day with Kim McKay AO. Kim McKay co-founded Clean Up Australia with Ian Kiernan in 1990 following the highly successful Clean Up Sydney Harbour which she helped…

Clean Up Australia – Catchment Health

Time: 13:00

Overview: Find out how you can get involved in Clean Up Australian Day. The Catchment Health video conference explores how rubbish impacts our freshwater and marine environments. This session looks at the importance of catchments and how everything we do on land has impacts downstream.

Clean Up Australia – Catchment Health

Time: 14:00

Overview: Find out how you can get involved in Clean Up Australian Day. The Catchment Health video conference explores how rubbish impacts our freshwater and marine environments. This session looks at the importance of catchments and how everything we do on land has impacts downstream.

Wednesday 1 March 

Clean up Australia Day Where do you think it goes?

Time: 10:00

Overview: What are you doing for Clean up Australia Day? Join Professor Pufferfish and field agent Greene McClean as they investigate what happens to the rubbish we leave behind. If it finds its way into our drains and waterways it can affect our wildlife and our environment.

Clean up Australia Day Where do you think it goes?

Time: 11:30

Overview: What are you doing for Clean up Australia Day? Join Professor Pufferfish and field agent Greene McClean as they investigate what happens to the rubbish we leave behind. If it finds its way into our drains and waterways it can affect our wildlife and our environment.

 Clean Up Australia – Catchment Health

Time: 13:00

Overview: Find out how you can get involved in Clean Up Australian Day. The Catchment Health video conference explores how rubbish impacts our freshwater and marine environments. This session looks at the importance of catchments and how everything we do on land has impacts downstream.

Clean up Australia Day Where do you think it goes?

Time: 14:00

Overview: What are you doing for Clean up Australia Day? Join Professor Pufferfish and field agent Greene McClean as they investigate what happens to the rubbish we leave behind. If it finds its way into our drains and waterways it can affect our wildlife and our environment.

Thursday 2 March

Clean up Australia Day Where do you think it goes?

Time: 10:00

Overview: What are you doing for Clean up Australia Day? Join Professor Pufferfish and field agent Greene McClean as they investigate what happens to the rubbish we leave behind. If it finds its way into our drains and waterways it can affect our wildlife and our environment.

Clean up Australia Day Where do you think it goes?

Time: 11:30

Overview: What are you doing for Clean up Australia Day? Join Professor Pufferfish and field agent Greene McClean as they investigate what happens to the rubbish we leave behind. If it finds its way into our drains and waterways it can affect our wildlife and our environment.

Clean Up Australia – Catchment Health

Time: 13:00

Overview: Find out how you can get involved in Clean Up Australian Day. The Catchment Health video conference explores how rubbish impacts our freshwater and marine environments. This session looks at the importance of catchments and how everything we do on land has impacts downstream.

Clean up Australia Day Where do you think it goes?

Time: 14:00

Overview: What are you doing for Clean up Australia Day? Join Professor Pufferfish and field agent Greene McClean as they investigate what happens to the rubbish we leave behind. If it finds its way into our dr…

clean-up-australia-day

Teachers Resources 

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Dinosaur Day 2016

The Australian Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens are proud to present Dinosaur Day.

Dinosaur Day and Clickfest was started by Virtual Excursions Australia in 2011 as a way of showcasing the variety of content available to schools across Australia. This year Dinosaur Day is on the 7 November and is the first day of the ClickFest Video Conferencing Festival.

Join Winny the Australian Museum’s Muttaburrasaurs and go back in time to Gondwana with the Royal Botanic Gardens.

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Monday 7 November 2016

Dinosaur Day – Fascinating Fossils

Time: 09:30

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.

Dinosaur Day – Meet Winny

Time: 10:30

Come along to meet Winny to learn more about Australian Dinosaurs. Winny Saurs is a life size Muttaburrasaurs dinosaur puppet and she takes you on a journey to explore her world. You will be transported back 100 million years into Cretaceous and discover what life was really like for the dinosaurs.

Dinosaur Day – Gondwana Garden

Time: 11:30

Bring dinosaurs and plants live into your classroom in this thrilling experience for your students.
Go back in time to when Australia was part of Gondwana 165 million years ago and meet Winny the Australian Museum’s life size Muttaburrasaurus and discover dinosaur environments.

Dinosaur Day – Fascinating Fossils

Time: 13:00

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.

Dinosaur Day – Gondwana Garden

Time: 14:00

Bring dinosaurs and plants live into your classroom in this thrilling experience for your students.
Go back in time to when Australia was part of Gondwana 165 million years ago and meet Winny the Australian Museum’s life size Muttaburrasaurus and discover dinosaur environments.

gondwana-garden-header-image-with-logo

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Australian National Maritime Museum Events

The Australian National Maritime Museum offers a great range of video and web conferences for schools throughout the year. They are starting the year with 2 events the Women in Science Symposium and Frank Hurley – the Man Who Made History.

Women in Science Symposium at the Australian National Maritime Museum

Tuesday 8 March at 10am

For international Women’s Day the Australian National Maritime Museum, in partnership with the University of New South Wales is hosting a Women in Science Symposium. The aim is to encourage high school girls to look beyond the lab coats and to see the possibilities for careers in science.

Chaired by Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, UNSW, the morning session will have a range of speakers from diverse areas including marine science, climate, ecology and innovation.
A live web stream of the presentation is being offered.

Please register through eventbrite

Image Credit - Maja Baska 2014
Image Credit – Maja Baska 2014

Frank Hurley – The Man Who Made History

Thursday 17 March at 1pm

The Australian National Maritime Museum is delighted to present a special program for students studying the Frank Hurley documentary as a prescribed text for the Discovery Area of Study.

Meet the film makers Simon Nasht and Anna Cater to hear how they approached dealing with the subject matter, constructing the story and making the film. The talk will be followed by a Q & A where students will have the chance to ask Simon and Anna questions about their film and learn about the available HSC study resources.

Registration through DART Connection

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CAASTRO in the Classroom

‘CAASTRO in the Classroom’, an initiative of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics (CAASTRO), is an outreach program designed to engage Australian school students and teachers with research scientists. CAASTRO’s astrophysicists take their enthusiasm for exciting new astronomy research into classrooms via video conferencing to inspire students about science and technology.

During Term 4 CAASTRO in the Classroom is offering some great video conferences

Tuesday 13 October

Space – Curriculum Revision

10:30 to 11.15am

Presenter: Eromanga Adermann, PhD Student

Audience: Senior Secondary Physics

Join us for a curriculum-focused revision lecture—covering key topics from the HSC Physics Syllabus Module “Space”. Pre-work will be provided in advance and you are encouraged to prepare questions to ask at the end of the talk. The talk will focus on the following dot point from the New South Wales Stage 6 Physics syllabus: “Many factors have to be taken into account to achieve a successful rocket launch, maintain a stable orbit and return to Earth.”

Eromanga Adermann is a second year PhD student at the University of Sydney. Her research aims to answer two of the biggest question in physics: “What is dark matter?” and “What is dark energy?”

Tuesday 27 October

Special Relativity – Curriculum Revision

2:00 to 2:45pm

Presenter: Joe Callingham, PhD Student

Audience: Senior Secondary Physics

Einstein’s theory of Special Relativity is a pillar of modern physics and accurately describes objects moving near to the speed of light. While mathematically elegant, Special Relativity explains situations that are extremely counterintuitive to our interpretation of the world we experience. This talk will include several examples of time dilation and length contraction. Pre-work will be provided in advance and you are encouraged to prepare questions to ask at the end of the talk.

Joe Callingham has a degree in Physics and is an Astronomy PhD student at the University of Sydney. He is a CAASTRO in the Classroom veteran, having given the highly popular ‘Special Relativity’ lecture three times in the past. Not to be missed!

Tuesday 10 November

The Big Bang – How to make a universe

2:00 to 2:40 pm

Presenter: Professor Tamara Davis

Audience: Year 10 Science

Join a CAASTRO astrophysicist as she shares her enthusiasm for new astronomy research and makes connections between current research and the Australian Curriculum content for Year 10 (Stage 5) Science. The session will cover Science as a Human Endeavour content and the following Science Understanding content: The Big Bang Theory, the age of the universe, and the formation of galaxies and stars.

Professor Tamara Davis is an award-winning astrophysicist based at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. She spends most of her time trying to figure out why the expansion of the universe is accelerating, and thus figure out whether we can harness that acceleration to make things like hoverboards or clean energy. One of the most highly cited astrophysicists in the world, Tamara has been awarded many prizes; including the 2015 Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science by the Australian Academy of Science. She is a highly engaging speaker with a passion for playing ultimate Frisbee.

 

CAASTRO image

CAASTRO in the Classroom was started in 2012 as a collaborative project with support from CAASTRO, the New South Wales Office of Science and Medical Research, and the New South Wales Department of Education. Past session topics have included: special relativity, the structure of the universe, and curriculum revision for Senior Secondary school students.

 

 

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Celebrating Biodiversity Month

Biodiversity Month is held in September each year and aims to promote the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity both within Australia and across the world.

 

The Manly Environment Centre presents a series of video conferences to celebrate Biodiversity Month.

The Manly Environment Centre (MEC) was set up as an action and education based environment centre promoting sustainable living practices through practical projects.

 

Tuesday 1 September

Biodiversity Month – Possums and their habitats

Time: 9:30am  & 11:30am

In support of Biodiversity Month, Manly Environment Centre is offering the opportunity for students to learn to learn about the importance of biodiversity in relation to possums and the environment in which they live.

Throughout the session students are encouraged to complete a range of creative and research based tasks and watch a number of educational videos in order to learn about biodiversity in Australia.

Friday 4 September

Biodiversity Month – Birds and their habitats
Time: 9:30am  & 11:30am

In support of Biodiversity month, students will undertake a number of creative and research based tasks throughout the session that encourage them to take a closer look at Biodiversity in Australia.

In this session, Manly Environment Centre is encouraging students to get involved and increase awareness about Australia’s unique ecosystems in relation to biodiversity by taking a close look at Australia’s bird life.

Monday 7 September

To recognise Threatened Species Day and Biodiversity Month the Australian Museum is offering video conferences on how you can find more about the animals living near you.

Fascinating Frogs

Time: 9.30am
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.

Minibeasts Magnified

Time: 12.30pm

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.

Museum Secretes Revealed

Time: 2pm

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.

Tuesday 8 September

Threatened Species Day
Time: 9:30am  & 11:30am

In support of Threatened Species Day, Manly Environment Centre is encouraging students to learn about our endangered native wildlife and the things that they can do individually and as a class to help protect these animals and their habitats.

Tuesday 15 September

Biodiversity Month – Australia’s marine life & Sharks
Time: 9:30am  & 11:30am

In support of Biodiversity Month Manly Environment Centre is offering the opportunity for Stage 3 students to learn about biodiversity in Australia’s marine life.

With a particular focus on sharks, students will have the opportunity to view a variety of educational videos and participate in a number of tasks that encourage them to raise awareness about Australia’s Biodiversity.

Thursday 17 September

Fizzics Education presents sessions on Bees for Biodiversity Month.

Biodiversity month: What’s the buzz on bees?
Time: 10am

Discover the secret life of bees! During this workshop come up close and personal with bees as well as the tools used in bee keeping. Guided by a experienced bee keeper, you’ll learn why bees are so essential in pollination and how they contribute to the global economy.

Biodiversity month: What’s the buzz on bees?
Time: 11.30am

Discover the secret life of bees! During this workshop come up close and personal with bees as well as the tools used in bee keeping. Guided by a experienced bee keeper, you’ll learn why bees are so essential in pollination and how they contribute to the global economy.

Biodiversity month: What’s the buzz on bees?
Time: 2pm

Discover the secret life of bees! During this workshop come up close and personal with bees as well as the tools used in bee keeping. Guided by a experienced bee keeper, you’ll learn why bees are so essential in pollination and how they contribute to the global economy.

 

Find out more about how you can recognise Threatened Species Day and Biodiversity month

Biodiversity Month
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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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Inspiring Stories – Women and Science Symposium 2015

It all started with a discussion my environmental scientist daughter and I had about the numbers of girls opting out of science and scientific careers because of the negative stereotypes. She said it was such a shame that girls by not considering science as option were locking themselves out of some amazing careers. We were talking at the time about some of the scientists I have worked with and have met here at the museum and some of the incredible experiences they have had. She commented, it is disappointing that those stories aren’t common knowledge and available to students making decisions about their future.

From that a small conversation an idea began to germinate, I ran it past a couple of my colleagues who all thought that could have potential. A little more research and contacting some possible speakers my idea of a Women and Science Symposium began to blossom. Another conversation with my daughter who again urged me to do this (or else!) and my idea has now taken on a life of its own.

A newsletter lead me to my final link to my day with how to guide students from school to university life and to employment opportunities through a inspiring conversation with UNSW Australia’s Veena Sahajwalla and the Science 50:50 program, who agreed to come and chair the day also bringing many of her industry partners and having the Sydney launch of Science 50:50.

Veena50-50 Credit - Tamara Dean
Veena Sahajwalla – Image Credit – Tamara Dean

The 11.30am panel chaired by Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, features four scientists with a distinct maritime feel. (Well we are a Maritime Museum). Micheline Jenner from the Centre for Whale Research Western Australia, Dr Katy Croff Bell Expedition Leader Vice president and Chief Scientist Ocean Exploration Trust USA via video link and Dr Katherine Dafforn and Dr Inke Falkner both from Sydney Institute of Marine Science. The panellists will discuss their work and different experiences as well as inviting questions from students.

After the first panel presentation, students who visit the come to the museum will be offered a behind the scene, tour of the ANMM conservation lab with conservator Rebecca Dallwitz. The 1.30pm session will feature the launch of Science 50:50 a program that aims to inspire young women to pursue degrees and careers in science and technology so they can succeed in an innovation driven future. Science 50:50 makes the simple point – since half the population is female, why not half the scientists and technologists? By informing and engaging young women with the power of science and technology to solve complex problems and transform lives, and by introducing them to Australian scientists and innovators who are doing just that, Science 50:50 can help recalibrate the gender balance.

Image Credit - Maja Baska 2014
Image Credit – Maja Baska 2014

 

The session be once again chaired by Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla will feature a keynote speaker, as well as panellists from Science 50:50 industry partners such as CSIRO, IBM, Cochlear, Woolworths, Arrium, Brickworks, Australian Museum Research Institute, Global Product Stewardship Council. Students will have the opportunity to learn about scientific careers beyond university, internships and competitions. A panellist meet and greet will be held at the conclusion of the session for any students who attend the day.

I believe that the day will be in the spirit of International Women’s Day, with the aim to inspire the next generation of scientists, who also happen to be girls to do amazing things.

Women in Science Symposium at the Australian National Maritime Museum

Inspiring Stories – Women and Science Symposium 50:50 project is on 6 March 2015.

Bookings essential bookings@anmm.gov.au or 92983655

 

2 session are available through video conferencing with DART Connections

Inspiring Stories Women and Science Symposium 50:50 project – 6 March 2015  11:30am

Inspiring Stories Women and Science Symposium 50:50 project – 6 March 2015  1.30pm

 

Science 50:50 – Inspiring Young Women into Science

UNSW_logo

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Virtual Science Club

In May and June 2014 a number of Virtual Excursions Australia members were involved in a video conferencing science club that brought students from across Sydney to do science experiments in an informal after school session in 3 Sydney libraries.

Coordinated by Fizzics Education, Sydney Olympic Park and Greater Western Sydney GIANTS Football Club, the 7 week program linked hands on science experiments with leadership and life skills.

Each week guests from a number of Virtual Excursion Australia members were able to join the sessions whereby the students could learn all about organisations such as the Australian Museum, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, ReefHQ, Australian Fossil & Mineral Museum, State Library NSW, Powerhouse Museum, Macquarie University and the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Video Conferencing Science Club presented by Fizzics Education with special guests from the Australian Museum
Video Conferencing Science Club presented by Fizzics Education with special guests from the Australian Museum

This science club represented the first of its kind in Australia and showed the strong potential for collaborative technologies to bring together distant communities together to learn about their world and culture in a real time environment.

Check out the video of the program at Vimeo – Video conferencing science club

Thanks to Blacktown Libraries, Auburn Library and Hurstville Museum & Gallery for hosting the students!

For further information about how you can get involved please contact Ben Newsome at Fizzics Education.

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VC Science Club kicks off with libraries; no codec, no problem!

Term 2 has seen the introduction of a science club held via video conference connecting students at Auburn Library, Blacktown Library and Hurstville Library Museum & Gallery to the science presenters at Fizzics Education and Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA). Known as ‘Leadership; It’s Not Rocket Science’, the weekly after school science club integrates character and leadership development exercises by SOPA integrated with engaging hands-on science activities by Fizzics Education in an immersive video conferencing environment. Working with local Council IT and education officers the club was brought to life by meshing tablets and formal video conference infrastructure through the VCme bridging solution. Together with internal WiFi secured and local training conducted on using H.323 software multi-point conferencing with different hardware endpoints works a treat!

Egg drop Challenge in action with 3 libraries, Fizzics Education & Sydney Olympic Park

Fizzics Education runs the club as a central helpdesk, which means students can work at their own pace on their experiments once the initial guidance is given. This has the additional safeguard on connectivity as any difficulties in connecting the external sites can be solved by pulling them into the conference via the multisite function on the Fizzics codec.

In addition to the science and aspirational aspects of the club, weekly guests from across the Virtual Excursions Australia community also contribute to the mix where guests speak about how they got to work in their job and how might students use science as a possible career path. Open to students in Years 5 and 6 plus their parents or guardians, the science club can be extended into any site wanting to foster community engagement using science & technology via a informal setting as the medium.

Further information on the science club can be found through the website

Karen from Australian Museum & Holly from Fizzics Education on point!

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Sea Week Video Conferencing Festival

Sea Week Video Conferencing Festival 2014

Sea Week is the Marine Education Society of Australasia’s (MESA) annual education campaign to increase understanding and appreciation of the ocean and its living organisms.

The theme for 2014 is Sustainable Seas! Are there really plenty more fish in the Sea?

Human activities are putting pressure of the ocean and marine environments in many ways. Direct impacts like  overfishing, chemical pollution and litter lower water quality and threaten wildlife.  Less direct activities such as carbon pollution leads to climate change and ocean acidification. It is important to recognise that people have the power to make positive impacts on the ocean in their everyday decisions.

Join the Australian Museum, Manly Environment Centre and the National Maritime Museum in a week long festival highlighting our marine environments

MEC vc 2There are a variety of sessions on offer with topics to suit every school.

Sea Week – Meet the Experts

Monday 3 March at 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. Meet Mark McGrouther Collection Manager; Ichthyology (Fish) to talk about the collection and some of the exciting field trips he’s been on.

Sea Week – Catchment Health

Wednesday 5 March at 10am

The Catchment Health video conference explores some of the impacts facing our marine environments. This session looks at the importance of catchments and how everything we do on land has impacts in our marine environments.

Sea Week  – Claws, Tentacles and Spines

Wednesday 5 March at 11am

The Claws, Tentacles and Spines session explores the fascinating diversity of marine invertebrates. Join the Australian Museum to discover some of the amazing adaptations of these spineless wonders.

Sea Week – Meet the Experts

Thursday 6 March at 2pm

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. Amanda Hay will talk about her research into the ecology of larval fishes.