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August 2026

National Science Week is almost here, and we can't wait to celebrate with our science teaching community! In this edition, you'll find a round-up of events, activities and resources happening across South Australia and online to help you make the most of this exciting time of year. We'd also love to see what your school is doing, so keep an eye out later this month for our showcase of National Science Week activities from classrooms across SA.

We're also excited to share that registrations are now open for the Early Career Teachers Conference. If you're in your first few years of teaching, or you know someone who is, we'd love to see you there for a day of practical ideas, inspiration and connection with fellow science educators.

You'll also find upcoming professional learning, resources and opportunities from across the science community, plus a reminder that our 2026 Stage 1 and 2 Trial Exams and Topic Tests are now available to support your students as they prepare for end-of-year assessment.

Term 3 Events

Physics Marking & Moderation -
24 August
Psychology Marking & Moderation - 24 August
7-10 Australian Curriculum Science Workshop: How can we design and assess differentiated tasks? - 28 August
Biology Marking & Moderation -
31 August
Chemistry Marking & Moderation -
4 September
Nutrition Marking & Moderation -
7 September

SASTA Events Calendar

Webinars

MEMBERS Webinar: Embedding Aboriginal Contexts - 26 August
MEMBERS Webinar: Moderating with ACARA 101 - 9 September
Regional Webinar: The SHE Task - 16 September
Regional Webinar: Design & Deconstruct - 23 September

July Blog Posts

Happy National Science Week! 🎉 (for 15-23 August)

National Science Week is almost here, and it's the perfect time to celebrate science! We've rounded up a range of events, exhibitions, talks and classroom activities happening across South Australia and online to help you get involved. Check them out.

And the celebrations don't stop there. Keep an eye out towards the end of August as we showcase the fantastic National Science Week activities taking place in schools across South Australia!

Yoga Giveaway!

We're so excited to give away a double pass to a Yoga Reset session with Gen Braund from Equilibrium: The Holistic Living Project. The Friday Evening Reset is a gentle, accessible one-hour restorative yoga class designed to help you release the week, restore your energy and head into the weekend feeling calmer, lighter and more grounded.

Where: Equilibrium The Holistic Living Project, Unley

When: Friday 28 August, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

How to enter: Like our FB post, Tag the person you'd bring along

Competition closes Wednesday 19 August

Professional Learning

Find out more ➔

Early Career Teachers Conference

Program Available. Registration Open!

Whether you're in your first few years of teaching or about to step into your first classroom, the SASTA Early Career Teachers Conference is designed to help you build confidence, strengthen your classroom practice, and connect with a supportive community of science educators. Join us on Friday 9 October for a day of practical workshops, inspiring ideas and valuable networking.

Register online ➔

MEMBERS FREE Webinar Series

Embedding Aboriginal Contexts: A STEM Approach toward Cultural Inclusivity and Scientific Inquiry
Moderating with ACARA 101
SHE Task
Design & Deconstruct

Full details available here.

Register online ➔

7-10 Australian Curriculum Science Workshop: How can we design and assess differentiated tasks?

This session will only focus on Australian Curriculum 7-10 Science courses – these are so critical for making sure we are retaining students in Science in the senior years. It is essential that we equip students in these year levels with confidence and the skills needed to explain, analyse and be critical.

Register online ➔

Marking & Moderation Workshops

These workshops will provide an opportunity for teachers to discuss assessment and the application of the performance standards to samples of work, as well having invaluable professional input with their own student samples. An opportunity to readjust marking standards prior to final moderation.

Physics & Psychology - Monday 24 August
Biology - Monday 31 August
Chemistry - Friday 4 September
Nutrition - Monday 7 September

Register for Professional Learning

Resources

For all resources available from SASTA visit the website.

Stage 1 & 2 Topic Tests & Trial Exams

Find out more ➔

New editions of SASTA’s Stage 1 & 2 Trial Exams and Topic Tests are now available! All Stage 2 Subject Trial Exams are available. Developed by experienced educators and aligned with the SACE curriculum, these editable resources cover science understanding, inquiry skills, and science as a human endeavour. Trial Exams provide authentic assessment preparation, while Topic Tests support learning and track progress throughout the year. Bundle both to save and have everything ready to go from day one.

Contributions from the science community

FREE Questacon Engineering is Elementary Workshops

Build your confidence in teaching STEM with Questacon's free Engineering is Elementary professional learning workshops. Explore the Now You're Cooking: Designing Solar Ovens unit, gain hands-on experience with integrated STEM activities, and develop practical strategies to support student learning through the engineering design process. Participants will receive a classroom resource kit, a complete unit of work, and access to a national community of practice. Workshops are available across South Australia during Term 3. Find out more here.

Where to from Here in Indigenous Education: Science and Sustainability

Thursday 6 August | 5:30pm-7:00pm | Online

Explore how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems can enrich science education and support sustainability in this free online panel discussion, held ahead of National Science Week. Facilitated by Dr Emily Rochette and featuring leading experts from across Australia, the session will share practical insights and ideas for educators. Hosted by Ngarrngga, this is the second webinar in the Where to from Here in Indigenous Education panel series. Find out more here.

They did what? Student Video Competition 2026

The They did what? Student Video Competition is back, inviting students to uncover and celebrate the stories of Australia’s unsung STEM stars. Students are encouraged to create a short video highlighting an inspiring Australian making a difference in STEM, either locally or overseas. The competition promotes creativity, curiosity and storytelling, while helping students explore real-world STEM careers and contributions. Free classroom resources are available to support participation, making it an engaging activity for classrooms across Australia. Entries close: 16 October 2026. Find out more here.

Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours

Looking for an engaging way to take learning beyond the classroom? Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours offers curriculum-aligned educational experiences that immerse students in Adelaide’s unique natural and cultural heritage.

Based at Garden Island in Port Adelaide, these guided kayaking tours explore the marine and riparian habitats of the iconic Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Programs can be tailored to meet the needs and learning goals of individual student groups and are led by qualified kayak instructors alongside an experienced Marine Biologist with an education background.

All kayaking equipment, classroom resources and curriculum-aligned materials are provided, with learning links across Science, HASS (Geography) and Health & Physical Education. Find out more here.

Mission Sprouts: Bring Real Space Science into Your Classroom

Give your students the opportunity to take part in real space science with Mission Sprouts. Led by 2026 Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg, this national initiative offers up to 1,000 free classroom experiment kits featuring seeds that have travelled to the International Space Station and back. Students will investigate plant growth while developing inquiry and critical thinking skills. Schools across Australia are encouraged to apply, with Expressions of Interest closing Sunday 23 August 2026. Find out more here.

Native Seed Box Classroom Resources and Seed Kits

Bring biodiversity and sustainability to life with Native Seed Box's curriculum-aligned classroom resources. Designed for Australian schools, their hands-on seed bomb kits include native seeds, teacher guides, lesson slides, student worksheets and curriculum mapping, making it easy to explore pollination, seed germination, habitat creation and environmental science through engaging STEM learning. Find out more here.

Bring Space Science into the Classroom with a Free Space-Inspired Cookbook

Inspire curiosity with Plants for Space: Recipes for the Modern Space Cook, a free cookbook from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space. Featuring more than 25 recipes alongside curriculum links and classroom learning ideas, this unique resource explores how plants could support future space missions while connecting space science, food production and sustainability in engaging, real-world ways. Find out more here.

Free Australian Institute of Physics Membership for Teachers

The Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) has introduced a new Teacher Associate Membership, available free to Australian school teachers. Members receive the AIP monthly newsletter, access to physics education resources and outreach opportunities, electronic access to Australian Physics magazine, and opportunities to connect with physicists and educators across the country. Eligible teachers must be currently teaching in an Australian school and register using their official school email address. Find out more and apply via the AIP website.

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