Science Education | ISTAcon2020

FÁILTE ROMHAIBH

ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY 6TH FEBRUARY

The ISTA Annual Conference 2020 will take place in Explorium, on Saturday 8th February 2020. The conference will open on Friday 7th February in the Conference Hotel with Prof Aidan Moran as a keynote speaker. His plenary lecture will be "Staying Sharp: Practical Tips on Improving Your Memory and Concentration".

The theme of this year's conference is"From Junior Cycle Science to Leaving Certificate Biology, Chemistry and Physics: Issues and Challenges". All conference participants will also have the unique opportunity of trying out some of the activities in the Explorium.

The Opening talk on Saturday is "In Praise of Walking - The new science of how we walk and why it's good for you", by Prof Shane O'Mara (TCD).

After coffee, there will be a symposium on curriculum reform. Prof Áine Hyland will discuss curriculum reform, the "Hyland Report" & "Listening to the Voice of Science Teachers" who are at the coalface in the classrooms. There will also be updates from the Subject Development Convenors.

In the afternoon, there will a variety of workshops:

Demonstrating Inclusive Science
GLOBE citizen science: students measuring & acting on local air pollution"?
Climate Crisis: The World is on Fire - what can we do?
Sustainable Solutions
Science on Stage: drop-in
FUNdamental Biology: drop-in
iQuiz online assessment: drop-in

There will also be spot prizes for attendees, including family passes to Dublin Zoo, Folens hamper, signed copies of books and a mega prize worth €1000 called FUNdamental Biology - an individual or team-based challenge game with in excess of 1600 questions covering definitions and keywords from past LC exam papers.

Conference Hotel: Clayton Hotel, Leopardstown, Dublin, D18 NR24

Clayton Hotel Leopardstown is a short LUAS ride away from Dundrum and accessible to Dublin’s City Centre.

Conference Rates:

Room only rooms @ €109
Single BB €12

Double BB €135

Triple BB €149

Rooms can be booked directly with the hotel – quote the ISTA on booking to avail of conference rates. Ask for Deena Marron

#ISTAcon2020

Sustainability in Science Education will be a main theme this year. Looking back at the Hyland Report on curriculum design and looking forward at the New Senior Cycle Science Syllabi/Specifications!

FUNdamental Biology

An Individual or Team-Based Biology Challenge - created by Declan Finlayson PDST Associate

Revise 1 to 6 topics simultaneously
A game for up to 6 players
In excess of 1,600 questions/set
4 Sets in the box (for a class of 24 students)
All questions are Definitions or Keywords or from Past Papers
55 topics covering LC Biology syllabus
Each topic numbered for easy sorting (if necessary)
Upgradeable to any changes in Syllabus
The teacher can be the Quiz Master or it can be played by Students
Questions are on a card with the Topic Number and Title on the reverse
CD with Templates also included

EVENT PARTNERS

ISTA

The Irish Science Teachers'

Association comprises of active and retired primary and second level teachers with a keen interest in science education in Ireland.

DES

The Department of Education and Skills is a department of the Irish state with responsibility for education and training. The mission of DES is to facilitate individuals through learning, to achieve their full potential and contribute to Ireland's social, cultural and economic development.