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Over the past two years TESEP (Teacher Earth Science Education Program) has quietly amassed large stockpiles of high-quality rock samples at FedUni’s Mt Helen campus. The rocks are excellent teaching resources collected from mines and quarries across Australia. A team of TESEP and FedUni Geosciences staff and students have worked to break, clean, carefully label and package the rocks, assembling them into kits for distribution to schools.
The kits contain more than 30 fist-sized samples that were all carefully checked to be consistent type specimens. They are also large enough to clearly show individual minerals and other structural features.

At this PD session you’ll be introduced to the kits and interactive ways of using them (or your existing rock kits) in Yr 7-10 science classes. You will explore websites containing 3D virtual specimens and thin sections, enquiry-based learning materials, and the story behind each TESEP rock and its origin.

Please note that this PD session is not a sales pitch - there is absolutely no requirement for you to purchase a kit. Whilst the kits are for sale, TESEP’s whole reason for existing is to increase teachers’ knowledge and confidence in teaching earth sciences through professional development. See: https://tesep.org.au/aboutus/our-starting-point.html for more information about them. The kits were developed in response to the deficiencies in many kits currently in schools creating a demand for high-quality Australian rock samples. The kits were all assembled using donated rock and volunteer labour from TESEP and FedUni geologists and all profits go back into the PD program.

FedUni believe the TESEP kits are excellent, hence FedUni has 5 kits available to loan to schools for a term at a time from the beginning of 2020. So, buy a kit if you choose, otherwise contact Stephanie Davison if you’d like to reserve up to three of the FedUni kits for any particular term next year. As a courtesy to teachers attending the PD,  first preference to their schools.

Download the registration form here.

This workshop is targeted at science teachers who do not have a background in geology.It will examine the rock cycle and the formation of different rock types and places it in the context of plate tectonics, geological time and dynamic earth processes, including climate change. Exploration of minerals, ores and mining are put in context.

At the completion of this workshop teachers will be equipped with the background information and resources, including some practical activities, to assist them with teaching the requirements of the Australian Curriculum: Science, particularly at the Year 8 level.

Download the flyer here.

Download the registration form here.

This field trip will take teachers to a variety of sites in Canberra that can be used for short excursions. Teachers will learn about the geological features of each site and undertake a task that could be used by students. The activities will be targeted towards Year 11 and 12 students, although teachers of Years 7-10 may also find it valuable.

Download the flyer here.

Download the registration form here.