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Issue 10: November 2024

As the school year draws to a close, CSIRO Education and Outreach is just getting started! Applications are still open for the STEM Together Future Shapers program, plus there are a number of exciting opportunities for teachers and students interested in exploring astronomy, STEM journalism and Indigenous knowledges.

Reflecting on the past year, we celebrate the incredible journey we've shared to promote science education engagement across Australia. Together we’ve inspired young minds with hands-on experiences, empowered teachers and community with fresh STEM knowledge through engaging events and resources, and strengthened connections with industry to showcase the exciting possibilities of a career in STEM.

Thank you for being an essential part of our community. We look forward to an even more impactful year ahead!

Applications open

This could be you, as an Adult Future Shaper

If you help kids in Years 5-10 to strengthen their confidence, capability and connection with STEM, you could become a 2025 Adult Future Shaper! Adult Future Shapers design their prize, worth up to $3000, to further develop themselves or their community. You could be winging your way to an event to find out how to supercharge your impact with young people. If attending a conference or course isn't what you're looking for, you can choose a custom STEM prize pack for the young people you support, or get help to run your own STEM experience. Adult Future Shapers can be parents, educators, Elders, STEM professionals or other members of the community. What are you waiting for? Apply to be an Adult Future Shaper now via the link above.

Introduction to Industry for years 7 to 10

Students in Whyalla participate in the GFG Introduction to Industry program
Students in Whyalla participate in the GFG Introduction to Industry program

The GFG Introduction to Industry program (formerly the GFG Student Programme) engages Year 7-10 students in inquiry-based STEM projects linked to industry, helping them develop enterprise skills and explore career pathways. A collaborative offering between the GFG Foundation, CSIRO, and King’s Trust Australia, CSIRO provides the framework for community-focused inquiry projects, while King’s Trust supports enterprise skills and career education. Delivered by CSIRO Education Specialists, students also receive guidance from industry mentors from GFG Alliance.

Now in its 5th year, the program operates in Brisbane, Newcastle, Tahmoor, George Town, and Whyalla. For more information or to participate in the 2025 program, visit the website, watch our explanatory video on YouTube, or contact gfg@csiro.au

New PULSE@Parkes Observing Sessions

Free observing slots for Space and Astronomy’s PULSE@Parkes program are now open for applications. We have sessions available in February and March 2025. Aimed at students in Years 10-12 these sessions are open to schools across Australia as online sessions or in person at our headquarters in Marsfield, Sydney. Your students can use Murriyang, CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope remotely and in real time to observe pulsars, analyse their data and meet with our astronomers.

Apply now

Young STEM Journalism Bootcamp

A student writing
A student writing

Double Helix has teamed up with Letterly to launch the inaugural Young STEM Journalism Bootcamp – an amazing program that combines writing, creativity and science! 

Perfect for ages 8-18. Early bird pricing of $499* gets you:

  • 4-week program (6–31 Jan 2025)
  • Opportunity to research and write 10 articles
  • Personalised 1:1 sessions with highly qualified coaches
  • Your work published in Double Helix!

Sign up on the Letterly website to join the fun!

*Use the coupon code 2XHELIXEARLY at checkout for $26 off the regular price of $525. Early bird prices end 30 November.

*Resources available early 2025

Spark students' interest in energy storage

Explore the world of energy storage with our exciting range of hands-on STEM activities. Teachers registered to the CREST program have full access to our newest green, orange and blue CREST activities inspired by CSIRO science. Designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding, these interactive activities are perfect for classroom learning and span introductory and intermediate inquiry levels. Each comes with detailed instructions, including risk assessment, student recording sheet, and a list of items needed for a seamless setup. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while gaining practical insights into energy.

Sign up to CREST

Embedding Indigenous knowledges

Offer: NSW Teacher Professional Learning

Teachers based in the Illawarra/Shoalhaven or Moree/Narrabri regions: upskill and build your confidence to embed Indigenous STEM knowledge in your classroom. Deadly in Generation STEM offers a FREE two-year program combining workshops, webinars and reflection sessions to support your development. You will be provided with the resources to explore Indigenous STEM knowledges alongside your students and ultimately increase interest in STEM pathways.

Living STEM: class on Country

Living STEM recently hosted its annual Showcase event in the Pilbara, inviting educators to share their learning journeys with community, government and other participants and demonstrating how their partnerships bring science classes to life on Country. Attendees heard from educator Kiara Sinclair and Indigenous knowledge holder Clinton Walker, among others. Sponsored by Chevron Australia, Living STEM continues its expansion. This year, new Western Australian educators joined us from Port Hedland and as far inland as Tom Price and Paraburdoo.

Camps connecting culture on Country

This year we facilitated two Deadly in Generation STEM camps in the Narrabri and Illawarra regions. Collectively the camps saw 26 Indigenous high school students expand their understanding of Indigenous STEM knowledges and gain insights into STEM career opportunities and pathways. From astronomy to agriculture, students received firsthand education from Knowledge Holders and industry mentors while connecting with their culture on-Country.

Congratulations Kim!

Kim Dyball, a proud Kalkadoon woman and Executive Manager of our Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy, has received the Frank and Helen Zobec Churchill Fellowship. With over 30 years of experience in education and policy dedicated to improving opportunities for Indigenous women, this Fellowship will further enable Kim to explore global initiatives that empower young women in STEM.

Gift inspiration from CSIRO Publishing

CSIRO Publishing gift suggestions
CSIRO Publishing gift suggestions

We're here to make buying presents easy with hand-picked books and magazines for all ages and interests.

BOOKS
We've curated over 60 books to cover everyone on your list in our 2024 Gift Ideas catalogue! And for extra festive cheer you’ll get free shipping over $80 within Australia and New Zealand.

COSMOS MAGAZINE
We welcomed Cosmos into our family in June and the magazine delivers the science of everything: on Earth and in space, natural and engineered, known and mysterious. So, why not give them the world with a subscription to Cosmos magazine.

DOUBLE HELIX MAGAZINE
Kids ages 8-14 can explore, learn and unplug with a discount subscription to Double Helix magazine. Perfect reading for enquiring minds, each magazine is packed with fun experiments, exciting science news, giveaways and more.