Young Einstein Science Fair and World Teachers Day

Bernie Goldie, 27 October 2009

The annual Young Einstein Science Fair will be held at Unanderra Public School tomorrow (Wednesday 28 October), from 9.30-11.30am.

This is a yearly collaboration between the Faculty of Education and schools in the Illawarra. This year, children from three primary schools will be involved from Unanderra Public, Figtree Public and Nareena Hills.

The Young Einstein Science Fair is the longest running science fair in the Illawarra and is now in its 12^th year. The fair is held at a different school every year and involves the Faculty of Education’s first year primary teacher education students trying out a huge range of science activities that they have developed during their core science subject this semester.

Some of the activities tomorrow will focus on a wide range of topics such as air rockets, dried ice, bubbles, batteries, solar systems, balloons, kitchen chemistry, volcanoes, rainbows, air pressure, invisible ink, static electricity, making fossils, floating, sinking and lava lamps.

“It is an exciting collaboration between the University and local schools and benefits our teacher education students as they dress up, develop resources and get to try out their teaching approaches. At the same time, children get to learn some exciting hands-on science,” according to Associate Professor Garry Hoban from UOW’s Faculty of Education.

Event venue: 49 Derrybong Drive, Cordeaux Heights. Further information: Associate Professor Garry Hoban on 4221 4450 or 0425 368 817.

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Tomorrow is “World Teachers Day” which is an annual event to honour the work of teaching at all levels in university, schools, TAFEs and preschools .

To celebrate this day, the Illawarra/South Coast branch of the Australian College of Educators will present “Peer Recognition Awards” for outstanding contributions to education. These awards are open to state and private schools and the University of Wollongong. Peers nominate those people who they know give above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis in their contribution to education.

The awards will be presented tomorrow from 5pm-6.30pm at The Salvation Army Citadel at Smiths Hill High School which is on the corner of Keira and Campbell Streets. Thirty awards will be presented to teachers from a range of schools as well as university lecturers and parent helpers. Some of the school awardees have taught students who have won state, national and international awards and have led innovations in school curriculum and new ways of teaching. Some of the university awardees have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to university teaching and for innovative work in mentoring new teachers. And some of the parent helpers have been volunteers for schools, some for as long as 20 years even after their children have left.

Further media enquiries can be addressed to Associate Professor Garry Hoban who is the local president of the Australian College of Educators on 4221 4450 or 0425 368 817.

Last reviewed: 27 October, 2009