Do you want to achieve the best practice in your teaching through a theme approach and get the most out of the new Science KLA Syllabus for your students? If the answer is ‘yes’ to both, reserve Saturday 20th March, 1999, to attend the fourth bi-annual Queensland Astronomy Education Conference (QAEC ’99).

Expose yourself to the latest and best in ‘hands-on, minds-on’ activities and resources from the United States and Australia to bring out the best in your students and yourself.

“As more students and teachers became involved, the surer we were that space truly was a universal curriculum that touched on required skills at every grade level…The Cosmic Classroom (Copyright) project took the unifying theme of space and developed the knowledge and skills from mathematics, science, language arts, social studies and the fine arts…."

Preliminary programme content includes:

· Presentations by guest speakers (including representatives from various universities).
· Classroom teacher led workshops and discussions. (Cosmic Classroom (Copyright) material included.)
· Computer programmes
· Portable planetarium programmes
· Presentations on various aspects of astronomy
· Practical astronomy (including how to use a telescope and night observing session).
· Opportunities and challenges provided by the new Science KLA Syllabus (hopefully lead by a representative from Education Queensland).

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New for 1999 will be a separate programme for secondary students interested in discovering more about astronomy and study options for astronomy at a tertiary level. Representatives from universities in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra have indicated tentatively that they will attend and speak to students.

Please notify your students of this opportunity.

 

The Conference Convenors are seeking primary and secondary teachers to speak on their use of astronomy and/or a space theme. A number of options exist for presenting material at Q.A.E.C. ’99.

· 10 minute talks on your classroom experiences.
· Lead or co-lead a workshop (45 minutes or 1 ½ hours)
· Put yourself forward as a keynote speaker
· Or your suggestion.

The Conference Convenors are particularly keen for people to trial the material outlined below and report on how useful you found the material.

To express your interest in any of the above options, send a letter stating the area in which you would like to talk on (remember you do not have to be an ‘expert’), the period of time you would need and your name and contact details to: Speaker co-ordinator, Brisbane Astronomical Society c/o the below address.

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To inspire you with ideas you can present at Q.A.E.C. 99, the conference conveners are making available the teaching material listed below to trial before the conference. This allows you to trial the latest teaching material with your students AND then provide feedback to your fellow professionals on your experiences at the conference.

Please note:
· Material is provided as unbound photocopies,
· No sample copies are available for viewing,
· Prices include packaging and postage only to schools in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales only.
· No school orders can be accepted,
· Allow one month to receive your ordered material,
· Cheques (only) must be made payable to the Brisbane Astronomical Society and mailed to the Society’s address below with a copy of the below coupon.

Module B: Grade 3-5 ‘Stars, Planets & Satellites’ 85 pages $9

Module D: Grade 7-10 ‘Maps, Models & Measurement’ 109 pgs$14

Hubble Space Telescope Deep Field Lesson Package 39 pages $6

(Note that students will need to access the WWW for the colour pictures required for the activities).

ROCKETS: Physical Science Teacher’s Guide with activities 47 pages $6.50

Please indicate what packages you would like by ticking the appropriate box/es and fill in your details below:

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