Minnis Journals

2018 (5) October

Sphero Bolt – the most advanced to date and yours for free
Check out the latest Sphero app-enabled robotic ball, Sphero BOLT, you know you want one and guess what? You can have one, free, did we mention free?
Sphero BOLT retails for $249.99 and we have one to give away, just email jeremym@minnisjournals.com.au and in two sentences or less tell us why you should have it. The first to make us laugh wins! Read more

Winners of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
The two winning teachers of the Prime Minister's $50,000 Prize for Excellence in Science have created cultures that promote science teaching and learning at their schools.
Brett Crawford’s efforts at Warrigal Road State School in Brisbane have seen all the school’s 50-plus teachers now actively teach science in their classes and Scott Sleap created a curriculum model called iSTEM which has been adopted in more than 260 schools across NSW. Read more

There’s no kill switch for the creative awesomeness of augmented reality and education
The purpose of this article focuses on two questions: What is augmented reality or AR? How can educators leverage this emerging technology for deep and active learning to promote impactful positive learning outcomes? Read more

Putting the ‘A’ in STEAM
As the educational landscape becomes increasingly technology focused what place does the Arts now have? and how can STEAM not STEM ensure learners are critical and conscious users and consumers of technology? We owe it to our learners to support them to holdfast to all that the arts offer in terms of asking big questions, nourishing culture and ultimately leading fulfilling lives.
So how do we put the ‘A’ in STEAM and what does this look like in the classroom.
Read more

The right infrastructure underpins teaching at Coomera College Qld
Teachers at Coomera Anglican College use technology to support student learning both in technology-related subjects and to enhance engagement across traditional subjects. All classrooms are fitted with large, high-resolution, interactive audio-visual displays – while students use a range of general computing devices including laptops, iPads, desktops and wall-mounted touch screen devices. It all needs a strong infrastructure to run. Read more

What does a STEAM job look like? Competition
Samsung Australia, in partnership with Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre, have launched ‘This is a STEM Job’ – a national competition to show young Australians that STEM goes beyond the traditional disciplines of science, technology, engineering and maths and is relevant to a range of careers paths and industries, including music, surfing and fashion. Entries are open until 23 November and the best entrants selected for an internship with leading STEM creators.
Read more

Sheldon College’s world beating tech teaching
They don’t just give out Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert badges, you need to be very good at integrating technology with teaching to get one, and recipients join a global elite of 7600 outstanding tech educators.
Sheldon College in Brisbane has seen two of its teachers receive the Educator Expert accolade this year, Year 4 Teacher Vanessa Tierney and STEAM Coordinator Years 1–6 Jade Frewin. Read more

Machine art master joins QUT
Professor Louis-Philippe Demers’ most recent work – Inferno, created with fellow artist Bill Vorn is a star attraction of CreateX 2018, an immersive festival of performances, exhibitions, screenings and panel discussions from 13–17 November at QUT’s Creative Industries precinct. Prof Demers will join QUT in 2019 as Professor of Creative Innovation and Director of the Creative Lab.
Part robotic dance party, part wake-up call from the future – Inferno participants will be fitted with robotic exoskeleton suits. Read more