When
Tuesday 4th Feb, 2:15 pm

Where
Room B2

Hashtag
#T19

Category
Impact

Presenter
Nigel Mitchell

Abstract

Since April 2011 the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) has been developing resources and working to equip teachers of Science throughout Australia to benefit from online technologies in their teaching and professional development. The project has included engagement through social media, webinars, and face to face workshops. ASTA has engaged with other organisations including DEEWR and Education Services Australia to develop and promote online resources and to host these online. A current major project is Science ASSIST, a helpline and FAQ service to assist teachers and school laboratory technicians which will be beta tested during early 2014 and officially launched in July. A portal website using Moodle has been developed as the keystone of the project, and all other elements are linked through the portal.

This paper will include a description and demonstration of the ASTA_online project, as an example of science communication targeted to a particular and strategically significant group within society. The paper will include an outline of the strategies that have been found successful, some that have not, and future plans for the project through 2014 and beyond.