ASC2020 - 16-19 Feb, Melbourne

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Developing a breadth of skills by Learning through Play: the Six Bricks program

When: Wednesday 14th November, 3:45pm – 4:15pm
Where: Theatre, Level 2 down the stairs to the right of the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #W18

Six Bricks is a simple yet powerful program for learning using just six LEGO® DUPLO® bricks. It was developed in South Africa in 2013 as a means of providing children and their educators from less advantaged backgrounds with daily physical activities with which to improve their perceptual, pre-numeracy and pre-literacy development.

Six Bricks is a concept owned by the LEGO Foundation, used in some of their projects, and while it is not commercially available, there are great lessons to be learned.

There are well over 250 short exercises that can affect reasoning, literacy, numeracy and perceptual skills, and not just in children, but anyone at any age and from any background. From schools to corporate team-building, from playful learning to serious science communication, the Six Bricks program is demonstrably effective.

During the ASC2018 conference I will lead a ‘hands-on’ Six Bricks demonstration that involves curiosity, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking and a can-do attitude, the “6Cs” of 21st century STEM skills.

Six Bricks is an example of a cost-effective program that is readily understood and simple to train others to implement. Delegates should come away with fresh ideas and the confidence to apply Learning Through Play methodology in their own work.

This session is supported by PlayFutures www.playfutures.net

Further information:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/725765130822588/

https://www.legofoundation.com/en/learn-how/knowledge-base/six-bricks/

Session Producer/Presenter

Adam Selinger, Executive Director, Children’s Discovery Museum Ltd

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Case studies: Visualising science

When: Wednesday 14th November, 2:40pm – 3:40pm
Where: L2, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #W17

How we “see” science is very important in how we communicate it. The attention span of people in this day and age is a lot shorter than it used to be so grabbing someone’s attention with a great visual is invaluable.

Hear from the speakers about how they are bringing the sight of science to the masses.

The session is structured into three 15-minute talks and will wrap-up with a 15-minute Q&A for delegates questions and comments.

The session will include the following talks:

Session Producer

 

Session Chair

 

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Little Bang – Bright Sparks: Delivering a national priority through local collaboration

Little Bang Discovery ClubWhen: Wednesday 14th November, 8:45am – 9:45am
Where: L3, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #W5

In an era of ‘false news’, a growing mistrust of ‘the expert’ and almost universal access to unfiltered advice from the internet of all things, the need for a science-literate community has never been more important.

The ability to critically assess information starts early and needs to become one of the pillars of education: reading, writing, arithmetic and CRITICAL THINKING.

Science communicators and educators can work smarter to better engage and sustain community understanding of how science works in producing evidence-based knowledge. The resulting democratising of knowledge, and the ability to discern trusted sources, enables better decision making for individuals, and the community as a whole.

This case study involves a series of science engagement initiatives that utilise the exisiting trusted and nationally distributed network of public and school libraries. By working in concert with this ‘third space’ we have a unique opportunity to influence a generation of children, their families and whole community outside the status quo of home, school and the workplace.

The overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic response from librarians and participating families is evidence of the scalability and sustainability of these low-cost programs, with measurable impact on attitudes and understating of science.

Session

Case studies: Education

Presenter

Adam Selinger, Executive Director, Children’s Discovery Museum Ltd

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The breathtaking circus of photosynthesis: communicating the most important biological process on Earth

When: Wednesday 14th November, 2:40pm – 3:40pm
Where: L2, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #W17

Photosynthesis is probably one of the most misunderstood and undervalued of the biological processes by the public. Perhaps this misunderstanding is due to the difficulty to show and engage the public with an imperceptible process that takes place within microscopic structures inside leaves.
This poster will show a group of displays focused on photosynthesis that we have been developing in the past two years, as part of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis. This small exhibition of photosynthesis has been used in public events to engage the public with a topic that, despite its importance in our lives (we will either asphyxiate or die of hunger if it stops), is rarely presented in the form of interactive, visually appealing displays.

Session

Case studies: Visualising science

Presenter

Natalia Bateman, Communications officer, ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis

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Tell me a Story

When: Wednesday 14th November, 8:45am – 9:45am
Where: L1, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #W3

Storytelling is an intrinsic part of human societies and cultures. Whether through the many and varied art forms, religion, architecture or media, the influence of storytelling is everywhere. Stories reflect and reveal values, dreams, desires, fears, prejudices, knowledge and wisdom. Stories capture our pasts and envision our futures. Storytelling is often said to define and bind our humanity; it is possible that humans are the only animals that create and tell stories.

In essence storytelling is about making sense of the world, which is probably why stories so fascinate humankind. If you tell your audience a story with integrity, the chances are you’ll gain their support, create a following and inspire them to believe and act. A story gives people a reason to care about what you have to say.

Our team is using a ‘show and tell’ format to explore storytelling in just some of its wondrous diversity, selecting genres and technologies highly relevant to science communication. Between us we explore the power of the narrative and performance to engage and inspire, and the development and use of technology (including artificial intelligence) to turn scientists into expert communicators. We demonstrate and discuss why good story telling matters and is essential to effective science communication.

We are not only interested in more effectively engaging with the audiences we have, but also in connecting with new audiences including the ‘less science-engaged’. We are all experimenting and innovating in this space and have some great stories to tell!

Session Producer/Presenter

Sheryn Pitman, Programme Manager Inspiring South Australia, South Australian Museum

Presenters

Michael Mills, Creative Director, HeapsGood Productions

Andy Stapleton, CEO and Founder, verbalize.science

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Crafting Stellar Social Media Videos

When: Wednesday 14th November, 11:55am – 1:25pm
Where: Theatrette, Level 2 behind the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #W11

As science communicators, data is at the heart of everything we do. But how do we convert that data into informative, entertaining, and most importantly, shareable content?

In this 90-minute session, we will take a look into why your organisation should be making social media videos, how to convert raw data into informative entertainment, and dissect exactly what makes up a great, scientifically-sound social media video, without resorting to cats on Roombas.

Presenter

Nelli Huié, Digital Communications Manager, The Climate Council

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The Rescue Project Podcast – Stories of Kind Acts of Environmental Rescue

When: Wednesday 14th November, 10:20am – 11:20am
Where: Theatrette, Level 2 behind the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #W6

**Have you ever rescued a riverbank? A tract of bush, an eroded beach, a waterway, some farmland, a garden or a native tree? A native animal or bird? What do you feel as you tend to tired earth, or engage with the intrinsic value of an old-growth giant, or as you look into that creature’s eyes? And, in some way, do these things rescue you?**

The Rescue Project is citizen storytelling in online and podcast form.
Launched in early October it is a public invitation to contribute a 500-word story to the Rescue website – a collaboration between Landcare Australia and Gretchen Miller/UNSW. The stories are currently growing there with opportunity for anyone to read and respond.
The next stage will be The Rescue Project Podcast, beginning production in early 2019 – 10 of the stories read aloud by the writers and set to sound. The podcast series will also include an audio documentary focusing on one special habitat rehabilitation site selected from the uploaded stories.
“Rescue” is an organic, living website, changing by the day and inviting its contributors to feel a part of something bigger. It functions as an online clubhouse for discussion of the personal power of taking action to benefit habitat, animals and the humans who get involved. The intention is to reflect the rich experience, both practical and psychological, that engaging with environment brings, building a deeper recognition of how little things can grow bigger ones.
https://landcareaustralia.org.au/rescue

Session

Case studies: Environment and community engagement

Presenter

Gretchen Miller, Rescue Project Director/Producer, Media Consultant, Gretchen Miller Media

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TasAgFuture: Mobilising Tasmania’s agriculture and food sector to help determine future scientific research

When: Wednesday 14th November, 10:20am – 11:20am
Where: Theatrette, Level 2 behind the registration/foyer area
Hashtag: #W6

TasAgFuture is a social research project that is informing future research to support prosperous and sustainable agriculture and food sectors.

Through the TasAgFuture project, the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) has mobilised the Tasmanian agriculture and food sector to have their say in the sector’s future through in-depth interviews and an online survey. As a result, agrifood peak bodies, the State Government and TIA will better understand goals of the sector, and the research, development and extension (RD&E) needs into the future.

This presentation outlines the strategy and impact of TasAgFuture’s communications through the traditional media, social media and stakeholder engagement – a significant contributor to the project’s success.

Session

Case studies: Environment and community engagement

Presenter

Claire Baker, Research Communications Officer, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) – a joint venture of the University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government

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Risk Communication in the Risk Society

When: Wednesday 14th November, 8:45am – 9:45am
Where: L2, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #W4

Modern society is governed by consideration of risks. Social, economic and environmental risks abound and their impact enhanced by social media. In this session, Mary Anne Waldren interviews Kate Hughes about how risks of pollution remediation are communicated by experts to the public. Kate’s recent research inquiry finds that scientists need more than scientific literacy to communicate risks because, all risks are ultimately socially constructed. Kate’s insight about social literacy are worth hearing. They are new, and draw their pedigree from her experience of remediation at the Homebush Olympic site in Sydney, and the adjacent and infamous dioxin contaminated site once owned by Union Carbide. When it comes to risk, it’s context that matters, and this session really starts a new conversation about experts’ risk communication.

Session Chair

Mary Anne Waldren, Consultant, MAW Action Pty Ltd

Presenter

Kate Hughes, Research Communications and Advocacy, Right To Know Publications

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Using Smartphones to Turn Students into Scientists

When: Wednesday 14th November, 8:45am – 9:45am
Where: L3, Level 2 to the left of the registration/foyer area, down the hallway and through the doors on the right
Hashtag: #W5

Governments are cutting education funding, student anxiety is increasing, and student performance in STEM is at an all-time low. Add to this a shortage of skilled science teachers and it is easy to see that our education system is failing students. Recognizing that 94% of students own a smartphone and 45% of these can’t live without one, Arludo is using the resources that students are most drawn to – smartphones – in unique ways to become a leading innovative education company. Arludo is developing a library of mobile applications that use the full range of smartphone sensors and cameras to create immersive social learning experiences in STEM. From single and multiplayer games, to group games that use augmented reality, to applications revolving around problem-based learning, each unique mobile application allows students to explore a singular topic. The mobile applications are designed to encourage students to work together, and as they interact, students collect scientific data that are displayed in real-time on a dashboard. Using these real-time data visualizations, teachers can easily lead class discussions about the topic being taught by working through the data students collected. Teachers thus quickly become science experts and students intuitively become data-literate scientists through meaningful social experiences.

Session

Case studies: Education

Presenter

Michael Kasumovic, Associate Professor, UNSW

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Questions? Please contact Kali on asc2020@asc.asn.au.

Acknowledgements

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