Page 17 - Journal 2018A

Selena is an extremely dedicated and hardworking teacher, forever striving to improve her knowledge and pedagogy in the area of Science and willingly engages with teachers from other sites to share resources and ideas. Selena shows particular interest in STEM and strives to incorporate this approach into her lessons. This is complemented by her awareness of the need to facilitate twenty- rst century thinking and skills with her students through careful and thoughtful lesson design.
Selena has been proactive in seeking to develop the pro le of Science at her school through extracurricular activities such as Science Week. In the last two years, Selena has facilitated participation for students in the annual Oliphant Science Awards and has won the Rowe Scienti c Country School Award for high participation rates across a wide range of categories both years.
Selena has managed to achieve many signi cant outcomes for her students through delivering, meaningful, relevant and engaging activities with limited space and resources; this is testimony to her creativity and resourcefulness.
Conference Proceedings
This year’s Conference’s theme was ‘Spotlight on the Science in STEM’ and featured two keynote speakers – Dr Kristin Alford, Director, MOD at the University of South Australia who presented ‘It’s not what you know – informal science learning at MOD’ and Professor Steve Donnellan, Head of Research and Collections and Principal Researcher, Evolutionary Biology Unit at the South Australian Museum, who presented ‘Why is evolutionary biology more than just and academic interest?’
The program also included Cutting Edge presentations, workshops, excursions, panel discussion and trade displays.
Conference Dinner
The Conference Dinner was held at the Adelaide Pavilion on Monday 16 April. During the dinner the presentation of the Credit Union SA/SASTA Outstanding Teacher Awards took place.
Credit Union SA/SASTA Outstanding Teacher Awards
The Credit Union SA/SASTA Outstanding Teacher Awards recognise teachers’ contribution to the education of students in science. The teachers are actively involved in professional development, promote student interest in science by providing an environment that stimulates students’ curiosity and use innovative materials or technologies in teaching science. They are also a positive role model for other science teachers within their school.
Peter Dinan on behalf of Credit Union SA, presented the 2018 Credit Union SA/SASTA Outstanding Teacher Awards Upper Secondary (10-12) to Paul Gavini from Marryatville High School and Dina Phan Primary (3-6) from Swallowcliffe Primary School.
Paul Gavini, Marryatville High School
Paul is actively involved in professional learning activities as a participant and presenter. In 2016 he presented workshops at the SASTA Early Career Teachers Conference, Annual Conference and STEM Conference and also presented workshops for RACI in 2017.
Paul is the manager of the UniSA STEM Innovation Experience Program – Project Dolores which involves 30 students from
year 10 & 11 and 4 other staff, engaged with Biology, Electronics, Engineering and Maths. Marryatville High School were regional winners despite it being their rst competition.
Number 01 / 2018 | 15