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April 2026

Countdown
DAYSHOURSMINUTESSECONDS

Will we see you at the Annual Conference? Registrations close Wednesday 8 April - click here to register!

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May Events

SASTA Events Calendar

March Blog Posts

SASTA Annual General Meeting

The 2026 Annual General Meeting of members of the South Australia Science Teachers Association Inc. will be held on Tuesday 14 April at the SASTA Annual Conference. All details can be found here. 

Member Resources

Our Member Resources are now fully searchable, making it easier than ever to find exactly what you need, when you need it. Curious to learn more? Come and chat with Rachel, our Education Officer, during the catering breaks at the Annual Conference. She’ll be happy to share insights into what’s available and how you can make the most of these resources.

Ediacaran Teacher Scholarship

Applications are now open for the Ediacaran Teacher Scholarship to the Flinders Ranges, an incredible opportunity to deepen your geological knowledge and bring Earth’s ancient history to life in your classroom. Want to hear what it’s really like? Join us at the Annual Conference for an inspiring presentation from teachers who attended last year, and don’t miss a cutting-edge workshop with Diego Garcia-Bellido that will showcase innovative ways to connect this experience to your teaching practice.

Professional Learning

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SASTA Annual Conference

LAST WEEK TO REGISTER!


Join us for the 2026 SASTA Annual Conference and explore this year’s theme, Cultivating Curiosity. Discover practical strategies, innovative ideas and inspiring approaches to engage students and deepen scientific thinking across all year levels. Register now.

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NEW WORKSHOP

Teaching Science in the Middle Years: Practical Tools for Years 7-10 Workshop

Middle Years Science (7-10) is a critical platform for science understanding and retention of students flowing into our senior science courses. This workshop aims to provide a range of practical tips, resources, and activities to equip and refine your skills in the middle school classroom. The focus will be on planning, pedagogy and practice to engage students whilst maintaining the level of rigour required to ensure we are meeting the achievement standard and differentiating for the needs of our classes.

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Design & Deconstruct Workshop

This workshop is aimed at people who want to further their skills in setting, assessment and providing feedback on the D&D + practical report task. It also will cover the writing and marking of practical questions for tests and exams as well. There will be time to examine your own student work and participate in some cross-moderation and marking of work/drafts.

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MEMBERS FREE Webinar Series

  • Digital Tools to Engage the Modern Learner

  • Unlock AI's transformative power in your school

  • Preparing Students for Online Exams

  • Ediacara in the Classroom: Bringing Fossils to Life

Full details available here. 

Oliphant Science Awards

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The 2026 Information Booklet is available and can be downloaded here. 

New Commemorative Science Writing Topic

This year marks 80 years since the discovery of Spriggina in the Flinders Ranges, a moment that transformed our understanding of life on Earth. To celebrate, the Oliphant Science Awards, in partnership with the Flinders Ranges Ediacara Foundation, present a special Science Writing topic: “Discovering Spriggina: South Australia’s Window into Life’s Beginnings”. Students are invited to explore how this tiny fossil, uncovered by Reg Sprigg in 1946, revealed the first evidence of complex animal life and reshaped the global story of evolution, while highlighting the ongoing work to protect these extraordinary fossils. Find out more. 

New Sponsor Prizes for 2026

We’re excited to introduce a range of new sponsor awards for this year’s Oliphant Science Awards, recognising student excellence across a variety of fields. Consider how your students’ projects might align with these opportunities:

  • Australian Entomological Society Award for the most outstanding entry that demonstrates understanding of the biodiversity, biology, behaviour or ecology of insects and/or their allies

  • CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Award for the most outstanding student entry in each category where the project directly addresses reducing greenhouse gas emissions

  • Robinson Aerospace Prize for Student Projects in Space Science and Technology for the most outstanding student projects demonstrating creativity, innovation, and the application of engineering or design principles in space technology

  • Soil Science Australia – SA Branch Prize for the most outstanding entry that demonstrates understanding of soil science, land management, sustainable agriculture, or terrestrial ecosystem processes

  • Plus Ultra Maritime, sponsoring the Programming, Apps and Robotics category

It’s a great opportunity for students to be recognised by leading organisations while pursuing areas of genuine scientific interest. Find out more. 

Resources

For all resources available from SASTA visit the website.

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SASTA Study Guides

SASTA Study Guides are the complete resource for students preparing for Stage 2 SACE exams. These guides include questions with worked solutions covering each topic of the Subject Outline and address all sections of the exam. Pre-order online now. 

Contributions from the science community

National Science Week School Grants - close 12 April

Applications are now open for 2026 National Science Week School Grants, closing 12 April. Schools across Australia can apply for up to $500 to deliver engaging, curriculum-aligned science events during National Science Week (8–16 August). This year’s theme, “Seeds of Science: nurturing science for all”, celebrates growing curiosity and knowledge, with links to agriculture, sustainability, and global initiatives. It’s a great opportunity to inspire students through hands-on STEM experiences and connect your school with the wider science community. Find out more here. 

Premier's Reading Challenge - STEM Reading and Design Competition

The 2026 STEM Reading and Design Competition is now open to R–12 students and will run throughout Term 2. Delivered by the Premier’s Reading Challenge in partnership with key organisations, the competition invites students to explore STEM, Nature in South Australia, Space, and Renewable Energy through reading and creative design. Since its launch in 2016, the competition has grown significantly, with over 3,000 entries received last year alone. To enter, students read a themed book and create a response inspired by their learning. Entries close Friday 19 June 2026. Find out more here. 

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Apply Now: 2026 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards

Applications are now open for the 2026 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards, celebrating the outstanding achievements of South Australian scientists, educators, innovators and STEM leaders. These prestigious awards recognise individuals and teams making significant contributions to science, research, education and industry across the state. If you or someone you know is advancing science and innovation in South Australia, this is a great opportunity to showcase that impact. Applications close Friday 16 May 2026. Find out more here. 

Think Science! 2026 – Bringing Science Skills Together

Think Science! returns in 2026, offering students an exciting opportunity to explore the many skills used in real-world science. Hosted by Flinders University, this interactive event connects students with scientists, researchers and STEM professionals through hands-on activities, demonstrations and career insights. Designed to highlight the diversity of science pathways, the program helps students see how classroom learning translates into future study and careers. It’s a fantastic chance to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists. Find out more here. 

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National Science Week Booklet

The 2026 National Science Week Schools Resource Book is now available, supporting this year’s theme, “Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all”. Aligned with the United Nations International Year of Women Farmers and Rangelands and Pastoralists, the resource explores how agricultural practices have evolved to support food security, while highlighting the importance of growing scientific understanding in every classroom. Packed with hands-on activities, experiments, and curriculum-aligned lesson ideas, it’s a valuable tool to inspire curiosity and engagement in STEM. Download your copy here. 

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Soil Week Australia Schools Competition

The 2026 Healthy Soils Competition is now open, inviting students from preschool to Year 10 to creatively explore this year’s theme, “Soil Matters: Its Importance to Our Food and Environment”. Students can submit a wide range of digital entries, from videos and artwork to stories and infographics, showcasing their understanding of soil and sustainability. With fantastic prizes on offer and every participant receiving a certificate, it’s a great opportunity to engage students in real-world environmental science. Entries close 25 September 2026. Find out more. 

Quantum Australia Open Day 2026

Teachers and students are invited to explore the exciting world of quantum science at the Quantum Australia Open Day, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 20 April. This engaging event introduces what quantum is, why it matters, and the wide range of study and career pathways emerging in the field. Designed to spark curiosity, the program includes inspiring talks followed by hands-on demonstrations and interactive exhibits from universities, research organisations and industry partners. It’s a great opportunity to connect classroom learning with cutting-edge science and future STEM careers. Find out more here. 

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2026 Churchill Fellowships – Applications Open

Applications are now open for the 2026 Churchill Fellowships, offering Australians the opportunity to travel overseas to investigate innovative ideas and practices not yet widely available in Australia. Fellows undertake international research and bring their insights back to benefit their communities, professions and industries. Educators, scientists and STEM leaders with projects that could strengthen learning, research or community impact are encouraged to apply. Applications close Thursday 1 May 2026. Find out more here. 

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