Workshops - 24 May 2024
Robotics Play for STEM teaching and learning
Available in Session 1:
Room: J05
For Teachers
This presentation as a hands-on workshop style will consider some of the learning stories and challenges that robotics technologies may present to teachers as they plan contexts for meaningful STEM-based play learning. Teachers will explore planning as a way of articulating and developing multimodal STEM experiences for promoting children's social communication, scientific thinking and digital literacy skills.
Presented By:
Dr Sarika Kewalramani
Swinburne University of Technology
Dr Sarika Kewalramani, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in STEM education at Swinburne University of Technology, Department of Education, Melbourne. She has 10+ years of teaching Science and Mathematics in Australian primary and secondary educational settings. Sarika's research expertise resides in conceptualising kindergarten and primary teachers' understanding of the nexus between creative STEM-based play by integrating technologies such as robotics as inclusive teaching practices and curricula programs in ways that promote students learning and development. Through her research, Sarika provides exemplars of evidence-based practices to meaningfully integrate technologies (e.g. Robotics) in developmentally appropriate ways to progress for example children’s scientific thinking, problem-solving, inquiry, social communication skills - key dispositions needed for children to engage with STEM learning. She is the founder and lead researcher of the All Inclusive Robotics (AIR) play program that aspires to engage children in STEM learning trajectories early on
All teachers require a charged phone/tablet with the Go for Dash & Dot Robots App installed
Design Thinking for Year 7
Available in Sessions 1, 2, 3 & 4
Room: J06
For Teachers
Overview of Viewbank College's "Year 7 Art and Design" program, which is currently in its third year. This dynamic subject focuses on building students skills in divergent and convergent thinking, creative problem solving, collaboration, and creative risk taking following our Design Thinking Process. Students are exposed to a wide range of materials, skills and concepts through a range of mini workshops and larger projects which are student led and respond to the rapid changes within our world.
Presented By:
Rachael Bor
Viewbank College
Rachael is an energetic Art and Design teacher who has worked in public school classrooms across NSW and VIC for almost 16 years. She is passionate about equity in education and creating learning programs which encourage curiosity, creativity, and student growth. She believes a strong art and design education is the solution to many of the worlds problems and should be enjoyed by all. Even those Year 7 footy boys who tell you they hate art.
Captivating Engagement through Educational Escape Rooms
Available in Sessions 1 & 3
Room: G08
For Teachers
Educational Escape Rooms are highly engaging, team-based learning experiences where students work together to solve problems within a time-critical narrative. Educational escape rooms are a new frontier within game-based learning and are widely applicable across age groups and discipline domains. In this seminar we will map out what educational escape rooms are, how they can be used and a series of STEM based example puzzles for participants to stretch their minds on. We will also cover best practice for puzzle design, how to use the electronic decoder box, tips for making escape rooms run smoothly and the new frontiers we are looking towards for further research in educational escape rooms. Find out how you can integrate the next generation of educational escape rooms into your classroom and re-engage your students.
Presented By:
Dr Robert Ross
La Trobe University
Dr Robert Ross is an Associate Professor in the Engineering Department at La Trobe University. Robert is head of Robotics and Electronics Research, founder of the RAMPS robotics lab and has developed a collection of robots to explore wombat burrows, pruning grapevines and inspect sewers. In addition to robotics, educational escape rooms, are a cornerstone of Robert’s research which has culminated in an AAUT Citation for teaching excellence, two Vice Chancellors Teaching awards and two College teaching excellence awards. Robert’s invention of a reconfigurable decoder box facilitates an engaging escape room experience and has been used across varied discipline domains.
Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge
Available in Session 1
Room: G04
For Students and Teachers
Our students today will have jobs in the future that don't even exist yet. Many of these jobs will require STEAM skills and likely revolve our use of technology and space. The Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge was created to allow high school students a hands-on experience learning about space technology and microgravity experimentation. Students learn from and work with experts in the field and get mentored by undergraduate and graduate students across a range of fields. We've had over 250 students complete the space challenge in just 3 short years and we're expanding our model to have the space challenge be a holiday and science week program, to allow access to as many students as possible.
Presented By:
Dr. Sara Webb
Swinburne University of Technology
I use AI to explore the Universe and what might be beyond. As an astronomer who works with enormous amounts of data, I had to dive into AI to work effectively. These newly found AI skills have led me to a unique and rewarding research career focusing on anomaly detection and big data exploration. I share the wonders of astronomy, AI and space science on my socials, follow along to prepare for the future.
The last 100 years of astronomy has seen our knowledge of our own home galaxy, universe and even the thing’s that make-up us change in almost immeasurable ways. We simultaneously know more and less about the Universe we live in, and with new and exciting telescopes, we’ll soon have too much data to work with manually.
To prepare for the future of Astronomy, Dr. Sara Webb works with optical telescope data and machine learning to explore explosions in the universe and how astronomers find them. Sara focused on studying small, yet mighty, red dwarf stars and their flares. When a star flares, energy and matter are spewed out into the surrounding solar system, and Sara has worked to build up a large and unique population of these stars that flare in very short periods of time. In her broader research into investigating the use of AI in team situations, Sara is currently working on studying how astronomers work in their various cognitive states.
Aside from her academic research, Sara also coordinates and co-leads Swinburne’s unique student space challenge programs, sending student led experiments to the International Space Station. This Australian wide program gives students insight into a space science career.
STEAM in the real world
Available in Sessions 1, 3 & 4
Room: G06
For Students
RMIT University's Women in STEM team run outreach programs with primary and secondary schools across Victoria to encourage students to engage in STEM. Today we are presenting two of our workshops which link STEM to the real world!
The VR Refrigeration workshop explores refrigeration principles in real-life by giving students a look inside the fridge/freezer systems of a Woolworths store through virtual reality (VR).
In the Crash Car workshop students will investigate the suitability of different materials in crumple zones and use that information to design, build and test a bumper to see which reduced the force of a collision the most.
Presented By:
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Tara Graves
RMIT University
Science outreach has always been an important aspect of Tara’s life. She has a background in Environmental Chemistry and has a Master of Science Communication at ANU, where she spent time presenting fun and wacky science shows to kids all over Australia with Questacon. Since then, Tara has been working at RMIT University in their Women in STEM Outreach team. She runs multi-touch STEM outreach programs with primary and secondary schools in Victoria. Tara also works with university outreach professionals across Australia to encourage school-aged female and non-binary students to take an interest in STEM and promote inclusive spaces with the STEM world.
Science, Education and Indigenous Ways of Knowing
Available in Session 3
Room: G09
For Students and Teachers
We will explore the many ways knowledge of science, physics, and astronomy are embedded in Indigenous Knowledges and passed down through oral tradition for use in educational curricula and programs.
Presented By:
Duane Hamacher
University of Melbourne
Duane Hamacher is Associate Professor of Cultural Astronomy in the ASTRO-3D Centre of Excellence and the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne. His work examines humanity's connection to the stars in terms of science, history, culture, and society, with a focus on Australian Indigenous Astronomy.
How to integrate algorithmic thinking into your school's math curriculum.
Available in Session 1 & 2
Room: G01
For Teachers
With the proliferation of AI and the changing nature of work not to mention the addition of pseudocode to VCE math, teaching algorithmic thinking has never been more important. In this session I'll discuss how we are integrating algorithmic thinking into the math curriculum strategically to meet the needs of students. I'll also share some resources for junior years and for VCE.
Presented By:
Julien Baggiere
Viewbank College
I have been teaching for 13 years and I am currently working as Head of Mathematics at Viewbank College. I am especially passionate about problem solving and finding ways to apply math to everyday life. Prior to teaching I worked in finance and I have a keen interest in economics, finance and superannuation and enology.
Forward to the Future: Unveiling the Possibilities of STEAM in 2024 and Beyond
Available in Session 1
Room: G05
For Students and Teachers
In this engaging presentation, we will delve into proven strategies and techniques to unlock your creative potential and tackle challenges with fresh perspectives. From brainstorming to prototype development, you'll learn how to foster a creative mindset, generate innovative ideas, and transform them into tangible solutions. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding enthusiast, this session promises to ignite your imagination and inspire you to unleash the power of creativity in every aspect of your life and work.
Presented By:
Dr Sampa Sarkar
RMIT University
Dr Sampa Sarkar, a research fellow at RMIT University. She has an interdisciplinary expertise as a biophysicist in the field of applied nanotechnology for biomedical applications and research translation.
Her research is focus on high-throughput design and structural characterization of lipidic materials for encapsulation and controlled release of functional biomacromolecules such as, mRNA, subunit vaccine candidate, plasmid DNA, siRNA, Aptamers etc. and pharmaceutical drugs. In particular, investigating the use of lipid nanomaterials to increase the stability and activity of biomolecules and drugs over prolonged storage, and in vitro/in vivo delivery. Furthermore, developing inhaled nano-therapeutics for the treatment of pulmonary Tuberculosis, and targeted vaccine/drug design including engineered next generation delivery tools, and novel therapeutic treatment for infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB).
Sarvesh Soni
RMIT University and Australian Department of Health and Aged Care
Dr. Sarvesh Soni is a trained microbiologist and incorporates the principles and methodologies for creating impact from his research in multi-disciplinary fields such as bioresource management and technology, citizen science, diagnostics and nanotherapeutics. The overarching goal of his research in the 'sustainable mitigation of Public Health Risks', is achieved through engagement with individuals, communities, and public and private organisations. He is an experienced academician doing highly multidisciplinary research and is skilled in Research and Development (R&D), disruptive innovation, and technology entrepreneurship.
Dr Soni is currently working as Senior Policy Officer at the Health and Medical Research Office of Australian Department of Health and Aged Care. He is responsible for developing policy and managing various grants under several MRFF Initiatives (Medical Research Future Fund). Moreover, Dr. Soni is an Australian Science Policy Fellow (2021-2022) (an initiative by the Office of the Chief Scientist), founder-director for RMIT Technology and Entrepreneurship Network & Club and an Adjunct Principal Research Scientist at RMIT University, Melbourne.
Control freak! Why understanding how proteins work is the key to understanding life.
Available in Sessions 2 & 3
Room: G02
For Students
In the intricate dance of life, proteins take centre stage as the ultimate control freaks. From orchestrating cellular processes to regulating gene expression, proteins wield unparalleled influence over every aspect of biological function.
Join me as I share my journey of unravelling their mysteries and discovering the control freak within. From the early stages of fascination to the deep-rooted passion for understanding, join me in exploring the parallels between the intricate dance of proteins and the control-seeking tendencies within ourselves.
Presented By:
Dr Lakshmi Wijeyewickrema
La Trobe University
Dr. Lakshmi Wijeyewickrema's journey in biochemistry began with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Greenwich, London, U.K in 1995. After relocating to Melbourne, she embarked on a Ph.D. program at Monash University in 2003. Fascinated by the interplay of snake venom and human blood, her doctoral research culminated in the award of her doctorate degree in 2007, igniting a passion for blood biochemistry that has spanned over 14 years. Currently a Senior Lecturer and Laboratory Head at La Trobe University, Dr. Wijeyewickrema's research centres on the intricate proteins within blood. But what makes the proteins in blood so captivating? They are the silent guardians of our health, orchestrating a delicate balance between protection and potential harm. Moreover, the complexity of these proteins mirrors the intricate web of life itself. Each protein has its own unique structure, function, and regulatory mechanisms, yet they collaborate seamlessly to maintain the harmony of our biological systems. Understanding the intricacies of these proteins not only unlocks the mysteries of our physiology but also unveils potential strategies for disease prevention and treatment. As a staunch advocate for women in science and diversity in the scientific community and with a deep commitment to fostering inclusivity, she endeavours to create environments where individuals of all genders and backgrounds have equal opportunities to excel. Within her workplace, Dr. Wijeyewickrema champions #girlpower initiatives and prioritises diversity, acknowledging the enriching contributions that diverse perspectives offer to scientific innovation, firmly believing that a diverse scientific community is not only more representative but also more innovative and impactful. Beyond the lab, she embraces an active lifestyle, often found in lululemon gear, immersed in activities like squash, cycling, or pilates reformer classes. Passionate about movement, she encourages others to join her in living a vibrant, energetic life.
RMIT ROVER: Development of a Rover
Available in Session 1, 3, 4
Room: N/A
For Students
Explore the thrilling world of student-driven engineering projects, from the drawing board to the rugged terrain of competition fields. Learn how the team operates and develops a rover from scratch in a year. Witness the culmination of our hard work with a live demo of our rover navigating obstacles and performing tasks.
Presented By:
RMIT Rover Team
RMIT University
The RMIT Rover Team is a collaborative multidisciplinary team of innovative students on a
mission to build an autonomous rover for earth, space exploration and beyond. The team
has just competed in the 2024 Australian rover challenges and is setting its sights on the international stage.
Bio-Studio - The Art of Science or the Science of Art
Available in Session 1
Room: G03
For Teachers
Explore the collaboration of Art and Science with a focus on bioplastic production and sustainability in this workshop. Sarah Edwards and Birra Li-Ward will bring us together to the big question of how our learning impacts the local and global environment now and in the future. Together, we will guide participants through the production of bioplastics and demonstrate the different ways this sustainable, reusable material can be used creatively before being melted back down to be reused again the following year. The bioplastics created can also be passed on to other staff for use in their curriculum areas, such as Chemistry, environmental science, geography, product design and visual arts.
Presented By:
Sarah Edwards
Frankston High School
Sarah Edwards has taught STEM, Biology and Science in secondary schools in both Victoria and New Zealand. She is currently teaching at Frankston High School where she is the Learning Area Leader of Technology. Sarah is a published authored of science and biology textbooks and is a trained facilitator of the Design to Innovate, design thinking program. Sarah is passionate about problem-based learning and developing students 21st century skills to ensure students are prepared for the jobs of the future. Sarah is an alumni of the Teaching Excellence Program (2022) and received a Teaching Innovation Fellowship with the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership for 2023-2024.
Birra-li Ward
Frankston High School
Birra-li has worked in primary and secondary schools in Victoria and internationally and is currently the Learning Area Leader- The Arts and a teacher at Frankston High School. She is a 2022 alumni of the Teaching Excellence Program; receiving an Innovation Fellowship for 2023 and an ISV Teacher fellow in 2021. Birra-li has received two scholarships to study at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston and became an Art21 educator in 2019, studying at the Teachers College, New York. Birra-li has worked with VCAA in advisory and administrative work for VCE studies and as a Chief Assessor. She uses her art practice to engage with advocacy groups.
Inspiration Under the Microscope: Combining a Career in Art and Science
Available in Session 2
Room: G04
For Students and Teachers
Jamie Mumford talks about her careers as a scientist and artist and how they overlap and complement each other. She will explain how the microorganisms that she views through an electron microscope have inspired sculptures and a jewellery range. She also discusses how her artistic skills are useful in preparing and imaging viruses to communicate and promote scientific understanding of infectious diseases.
Presented By:
Jamie Mumford
Artist/Scientist at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), Royal Melbourne Hospital
Jamie Mumford is a Melbourne-based artist and medical scientist at the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory (VIDRL). Jamie works in Electron Microscopy and Structural Virology, where she uses an electron microscope in the diagnosis and study of viruses, including novel and emerging pathogens. Jamie’s art practice is inspired by her work as a medical scientist. She makes sculptures and jewellery, creating abstract and organic pieces that evoke the biological forms she observes under the microscope. She is interested in exploring our relationship with microorganisms, bringing attention to their impact and often overlooked complexities.
Jamie’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (Microbiology) from the University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) from Queensland College of Art, Griffith University.
What are the futures of learning?
Available in Sessions 1, 2, 3 & 4
Room: J02
For Teachers and Students
In the ever-evolving landscape of innovative and transformative education, inter and pluriversal metho-pedagogies allow for collisions of disciplinary knowing, being and doing. This presentation proposes an innovative exploration for the futures of learning, emphasising an entanglement of art and science and its capacity to foster forward-looking strategies to enhance creativities, encourage collaboration through criticality, develop visual and digital literacies, and contribute to sustainable development through innovative problem-solving.
By fostering an innovative, collaborative, and creative learning and teaching ecosystem, we can create the conditions for young people to develop the skills necessary to address complex global challenges while learning to be in the world.
Presented By:
Dr Kate Coleman
University of Melbourne
Dr Kathryn Coleman is an associate professor in the Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne. Kate is interested in the intersection of art, digital spaces, youth, education, practice, and culture, and teaches this through art and design initial teacher education. Kate’s research into practice includes activism, creative practices, practices of identity, knowledge as practice and digital practices.
Understanding the basic concepts and learning electronics through projects
Available in Session 2
Room: G05
For Students and Teachers
Electronics is a vital part of our daily lives. Electronics deals with very low current and voltages and hence is becoming popular as the gadgets/systems are very low power devices and there is no risk of electrocution. The presentation will focus on the importance of electronic circuits which are widely used in all different areas TV, Computers, Fan control, Smart Watches, Mobile Phones, etc & students will get to play with some interesting electronics projects & understand the concept well.
Presented By:
Dr Gita Pendharkar
RMIT University
Dr Gita Pendharkar is currently working as a teacher at the School of Vocational Engineering Health & Science, RMIT and an adjunct researcher at Monash University, Melbourne where she co-ordinates the Biomedical Engineering projects. She has established interdisciplinary research collaborations locally and overseas and have contributed to a wide range of journal, conference papers and book chapters. Gita has received number of grants for teaching & learning & is a reviewer of journals in biomedical engineering. She collaborates with staff from IIT-Bombay, India for PhD research supervision. She has lecturing experience of 30 years and has lectured in India, Africa, Australia and America.
Unleashing the Power of Data Exploration using databot
Available in Sessions 2 & 3
Room: J05
For Teachers and Students
databot, the innovative sensor platform, opens a world of possibilities for interactive and engaging learning experiences in science. This workshop aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of databot and explore its potential as a powerful teaching tool.
Presented By:
Dr Mukesh Soni
Pakronics
Mukesh is a resolute educator with a passion for enhancing educational quality through innovative pedagogy, hands-on learning, and curriculum design. Integrating 25+ years of real-world industry knowledge in Research and Development, he strives to make education industry-relevant, cultivate entrepreneurs, and nurture the problem-solvers for a transformative learning experience. Mukesh is qualified Electronics Engineer with a doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Melbourne. His passion for technology and education has kept him active in the academia – he has been associated with technology education in universities (guest lectures/tutoring) and schools (STEM training) for the past 13 years. In the last 7 years, he has trained over 600 schoolteachers and more than 1000 students in electronic design, robotics, and programming. Mukesh also enjoys sharing his knowledge through online courses, blogs and hands-on sessions in the teachers' forum.
Pathik Shah
Pakronics Founding Member
Mukesh is a resolute educator with a passion for enhancing educational quality through innovative pedagogy, hands-on learning, and curriculum design. Integrating 25+ years of real-world industry knowledge in Research and Development, he strives to make education industry-relevant, cultivate entrepreneurs, and nurture the problem-solvers for a transformative learning experience. Mukesh is qualified Electronics Engineer with a doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Melbourne. His passion for technology and education has kept him active in the academia – he has been associated with technology education in universities (guest lectures/tutoring) and schools (STEM training) for the past 13 years. In the last 7 years, he has trained over 600 schoolteachers and more than 1000 students in electronic design, robotics, and programming. Mukesh also enjoys sharing his knowledge through online courses, blogs and hands-on sessions in the teachers' forum.
Drone Piloting
Available in Sessions 1, 2, 3 & 4
Room: Gym
For Students
Experience the thrill of piloting drones in our hands-on workshop.
Under expert guidance, students learn drone basics and enjoy fun flight challenges. With DJI Trello, students will seamlessly integrate technology into flight planning and through interactive activities, students will hone their skills and teamwork.
Presented By:
Banyule Nillumbik Tech School
Banyule Nillumbik Tech School
Banyule Nillumbik Tech School codevelops and codelivers STEAM based learning experiences and educational activities that help prepare local young people for dealing with the challenges of the future and equip them with skills and mindsets needed for the changing nature of work.
Have a Ball with Natives - Seed Balls for the Future!
Available in Sessions 1, 2, 3 & 4
Room: G10
For Students
Ever wonder what 'biodiversity' is and why it's so important? Let's dive into these questions and discover how you can play a part in nature's diversity. This interactive session is designed to engage in a lively discussion that builds knowledge while also providing an opportunity to get hands-on crafting seed balls to bring back to your school or home! We'll also be exploring programs and resources to help biodiversity flourish at your school! Students and Teachers are welcome to attend!
Presented By:
Ceres
Ceres
CERES is an environmental education centre, community garden, urban farm and social enterprise hub spread across four locations, linked by the Merri and Darebin Creeks on Wurundjeri Country, Naarm (Melbourne). Our vision is for people to fall in love with the Earth again and to that end, our work spans environmental, social, economic, spiritual and cultural dimensions. We receive around half a million visits per year to our original park in Brunswick East, and reach nearly another million through our other locations, school outreach programs and online services. The CERES School of Nature and Climate is the evolution of our education programs into a focused response to the climate and ecological crisis we are facing.
Robotics and AI at Monash Smart Manufacturing
Available in Sessions 1 & 2
Room: G11
For Students and Teachers
Introduction to Monash University Robotics and AI (20 min presentation - Keenan)
Robot Dog Demonstration (15 min demonstration - Keenan/Amy/Jag)
Biped Robot Interaction (15 min group interaction - Keenan/Amy/Jag)
Presented By:
Keenan Granland
Monash University (Monash Automation)
I'm Dr Keenan Granland, and I am a lab manager at Monash University. I run Monash Smart Manufacturing, a lab focused on robotics and AI. I also run a student team called Monash Automation.
STEAMing Ahead in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Available in Session 1
Room: G09
For Students and Teachers
Hello, aspiring STEAM enthusiasts! Today, I'm thrilled to guide you through the transformative world of reconstructive plastic surgery, a field where science and compassion converge to make profound changes in people’s lives. In our journey, we'll explore how this branch of medicine goes beyond appearances, focusing on restoring function, enhancing mobility, and improving the quality of life for individuals affected by injuries, congenital conditions, or diseases. We'll uncover the latest advancements in tissue engineering, prosthetics, and regenerative medicine. This is more than skin deep – it's an exploration of human resilience, innovation, and the art of possibility.
Presented By:
Nelson Low
Head of Paediatric Plastic Surgery at Monash Children’s Hospital
I am a reconstructive plastic surgeon and the Head of Paediatric Plastic Surgery at Monash Children’s Hospital. In addition to my clinical role, I also serve as an adjunct lecturer at Monash University, contributing to the education of future medical professionals. I am also currently leading the research arm in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Monash Health.