All Events

All webinar times are given in Australian Eastern time - SA, NT, QLD and WA will need to adjust for time zone differences accordingly.

RocksExpo 2-PD Introducing Our Dynamic Planet @ Hamilton

March 27, 2023 @ 3:40 PM

This PD is two for one!

  • Rocks (and how to use the TESEP rock kit) plus
  • Plate Tectonics
  • Volcanoes/Sth Grampians Fieldtrip - Sun 26 March 2023

School: Baimbridge College, 59 Baimbridge Rd, Hamilton, Vic
Meeting Room: Library
Date: Mon 03 April 2023 PD workshop, Sun 26 March Fieldtrip, Facilitator: Yvette Colquhoun

Download the flyer and registration form here (PDF).

Download the flyer and registration form here (WORD).

RocksExpo 2-PD Introducing Our Dynamic Planet @ Horsham

April 03, 2023 @ 4:00 PM

This PD is two for one!

  • Rocks (and how to use the TESEP rock kit) plus
  • Fossils, Evolution & Extinctions
  • Tue 16 May 4pm-6pm Fieldtrip, Rock Stories, Northern Grampians

School: Holy Trinity Lutheran College, 25 Trinity Dve, Horsham Vic
Meeting Room: Agora meeting space - Senior School building, Reception
Date: Mon 03 April 2023 PD workshop, Tue 16 May Fieldtrip, Facilitator: Paige Moore, Horsham

Download the flyer and registration form here (PDF).

Download the flyer and registration form here (WORD).

Energy and the Energy Transition 1 T2 2023

May 08, 2023 @ 4:00 PM

Energy and the Energy Transition webinar series

1. Introduction and Overview

Energy has a transformational impact on the quality of human life.  It impacts every facet of what we do and how we live making energy one of the most important issues of our time.  We require nothing short of a complete transformation of how we produce, transport and consume energy. However, energy, the environment and the economy are intimately linked and the four pillars of energy security (i.e., affordability, availability, reliability and sustainability) must be maintained.

EET image 1

Ultimately, there is no one‐size‐fits‐all approach to the clean energy transition.  Plans need to reflect countries’ differing stages of economic development. Ultimately, the transition to net zero is for and about people.  Citizens must be active participants in the transition process, making them feel part of the transition and not simply subject to it.

This webinar series covers the new Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum (Earth and Space Sciences), namely, AC9S9U03, AC9S9H03, AC9S9H04 (Year 9), AC9S10U04, AC9S10H02, AC9S10I08 (Year 10).

This webinar will take no more than 45-60 minutes of your time. Extra time for Q&A can follow as required.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance from the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).

RocksExpo 2-PD Introducing Our Dynamic Planet @ Stawell

May 09, 2023 @ 3:30 PM

This PD is two for one!

  • Rocks (and how to use the TESEP rock kit) plus
  • Fossils, Natural Hazards & Volcanoes
  • Tue 16 May 4pm-6pm Fieldtrip, Rock Stories, Northern Grampians

School: Stawell West PS, Cooper St, Stawell, Vicic
Meeting Room: Meeting Hall
Date: Tue 09 May 2023 PD workshop, Tue 16 May 4-6pm Fieldtrip, Facilitator: Principal Anthony Cain

Download the flyer and registration form here (PDF).

Download the flyer and registration form here (WORD).

RocksExpo 3-PD Introducing Our Dynamic Planet @ Bathurst

May 10, 2023 @ 1:00 PM

RocksExpo 3-PD for teachers in collaboration with the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, Bathurst

  • Critical Minerals (electric car, exploring/mining, recycling batteries etc)
  • Rocks (the Rock Kit Teaching Pack) & The Rock Cycle Game (& other teaching resources related to mining & rocks/minerals)
  • Wet Rocks (groundwater & artesian basin systems, the water cycle)


Venue: Australian Fossil & Mineral Museum, 224 Howick St, Bathurst, NSW
Meeting Room: Mineral Gallery – tour the museum during breaks in the PD program
Date: Wed 10 May 2023,
Critical Minerals 1:00-2:30pm Rocks & Wet Rocks 2:45-5:30pm
Museum Facilitator: Penny Packham

Download the flyer and registration form here (PDF).

Download the flyer and registration form here (WORD).

Energy and the Energy Transition 2 T2 2023

May 15, 2023 @ 4:00 PM

Energy and the Energy Transition webinar series

2. Fossil fuels – current key contributor but role must decrease

Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) dominate the current generation and supply of energy globally accounting for 80% of all energy supply.  The key advantage of fossil fuel over many other sources of energy such as renewables is energy density (i.e., smaller footprint and greater energy per unit of volume).  However, according to the IEA the energy sector is the source of around three‐quarters of greenhouse gas emissions today and holds the key to averting the worst effects of climate change.

EET2

The use of fossil fuels will not disappear overnight.  And oil in particular provides an array of complex organic molecules that are essential for the production of plastics which are used widely in the manufacture of electric vehicles reducing vehicle weight.  Fossil fuels that remain in 2050 will be used in goods where the carbon is embodied in the product such as plastics, in facilities fitted with Carbon Capture and Underground Storage (CCUS), and in sectors where low‐emissions technology options are scarce.  To achieve a zero-carbon footprint the utilisation of CCUS will be essential.

This webinar series covers the new Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum (Earth and Space Sciences), namely, AC9S9U03, AC9S9H03, AC9S9H04 (Year 9), AC9S10U04, AC9S10H02, AC9S10I08 (Year 10).

This webinar will take no more than 45-60 minutes of your time. Extra time for Q&A can follow as required.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance from the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).

Energy and the Energy Transition 3 T2 2023

May 22, 2023 @ 4:00 PM

Energy and the Energy Transition webinar series

3. Nuclear energy – base load with no emissions

Nuclear energy along with hydro are the two largest sources of low‐carbon electricity today and provide an essential foundation for the energy transition. Nuclear fission has been used around the world for over 50 years but accidents and economics have led to a significant slowdown in the building of new facilities.  However, modular smaller units could lead to an expansion in the near future.  And there has been exciting progress in the commercialisation of the safer, cleaner more efficient Thorium Fuel Cycle. Nuclear fusion is still in the emerging experimental phase and will not form part of the near to medium term energy solution.

EET3

This webinar series covers the new Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum (Earth and Space Sciences), namely, AC9S9U03, AC9S9H03, AC9S9H04 (Year 9), AC9S10U04, AC9S10H02, AC9S10I08 (Year 10).

This webinar will take no more than 45-60 minutes of your time. Extra time for Q&A can follow as required.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance from the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).

Energy and the Energy Transition 4 T2 2023

May 29, 2023 @ 4:00 PM

Energy and the Energy Transition webinar series

4. Renewables – essential component of global electrification

Hydropower along with nuclear are the two largest sources of low‐carbon electricity today and provide an essential foundation for the energy transition. However, hydro is difficult to expand at scale without impacting major rivers and waterways and creating negative impacts for downstream communities.  Pumped hydro using excess cheap renewable energy to pump water back up hill at times of low energy demand is emerging as a key energy storage option.

EET4

But no form of energy is truly renewable.  All forms of energy have environmental impacts (e.g., mining, landfill).  The total market size of critical minerals like copper, cobalt, manganese and various rare earth metals grows almost sevenfold between 2020 and 2030 in the net zero pathway.  However, renewables are an essential component of the global electrification movement.  Growth of power generation in the renewables sector is increasing dramatically. Energy storage is the key to allowing renewables to build the four pillars of energy security (affordability, availability, reliability and sustainability).

This webinar series covers the new Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum (Earth and Space Sciences), namely, AC9S9U03, AC9S9H03, AC9S9H04 (Year 9), AC9S10U04, AC9S10H02, AC9S10I08 (Year 10).

This webinar will take no more than 45-60 minutes of your time. Extra time for Q&A can follow as required.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance from the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).

Energy and the Energy Transition 5 T2 2023

June 05, 2023 @ 4:00 PM

Energy and the Energy Transition webinar series

5. Storage – key to enable renewables to underpin 4 pillars of energy security

Energy storage is the enabler allowing renewables to be used as a reliable energy source. Without energy storage, renewables will always require some form of backup power generation facility.  Battery storage technology is evolving rapidly however storing electrons is inherently more difficult than storing molecules. Hydrogen is particularly attractive for hard-to-decarbonise sectors where low-carbon alternatives are scarce. Its high energy density is suitable for industries such as steel and cement and for transport (trucking, shipping, aviation). It also has immense potential as a long-duration energy storage medium.

EET5

This webinar series covers the new Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum (Earth and Space Sciences), namely, AC9S9U03, AC9S9H03, AC9S9H04 (Year 9), AC9S10U04, AC9S10H02, AC9S10I08 (Year 10).

This webinar will take no more than 45-60 minutes of your time. Extra time for Q&A can follow as required.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance from the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).

Energy and the Energy Transition 6 T2 2023

June 12, 2023 @ 4:00 PM

Energy and the Energy Transition webinar series

6. Large integrated energy projects – vision of the future

Utilising existing infrastructure and / or maximising the utility of new build infrastructure is key to lowering energy costs and accelerating the transition to renewables. In particular, the location of large scale renewable powergen facilities adjacent to existing electricity transmission networks provides an opportunity for the early retirement of high carbon emitting coal fired power. For large remote standalone projects, the focus is on scale (bigger the better) and production of green hydrogen and / or ammonia for export. Many challenges lay ahead but the concept of large-scale hubs providing low-cost energy for manufacturing, industry and / or the production of green hydrogen is enticing.

EET6

This webinar series covers the new Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum (Earth and Space Sciences), namely, AC9S9U03, AC9S9H03, AC9S9H04 (Year 9), AC9S10U04, AC9S10H02, AC9S10I08 (Year 10).

This webinar will take no more than 45-60 minutes of your time. Extra time for Q&A can follow as required.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance from the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).

RocksExpo 2-PDs and Geotrail @ Coonabarabran

August 24, 2023 @ 8:30 AM

RocksExpo and Geotrail

  • Thur 24 Aug Rocks (Rock Kit Teaching Pack) & Intro - Volcanoes/Faults of NSW ! Fri 25 Aug Rocks/Rock Cycle Game, Our Place in Space, Aust Volcanoes (hands-onexercises)!
  • Sat 26 Aug 1:15-5:30pm Volcanoes near & far, Critical Minerals (& Energy Transition),
  • Wet Rocks (groundwater/artesian basins – related to surface water)!
  • GeoTrail Volcanoes guided walk (with Earth & bio-scientists) Fri & Sat

8:30am-12pm, all events, please register p2, note which GeoTrail session!

School: Coonabarabran High School, Newell Hwy, Coonabarabran, NSW Meeting Room: Library Meeting Room

Date: Thur 24 – Sat 26 August 2023, all weekday PDs 3:30-6pm, networking dinner Fri evening School Facilitator: Maleisah Eshma

 

Download the flyer and registration form here (PDF).

Download the flyer and registration form here (WORD).