The Science Teachers Association of NSW exists to help teachers from all years and from all school types to learn from each other and to share best practice. This week we’re joined by Margaret Shepherd, president of STANSW and lecturer in science education, who shares her thoughts on educational leadership and the huge variety of experiments that can be used to grab the hearts and minds of students.

“Building a relationship with people is the most important and having that trusting and open relationship where I can say, ‘yeah, I don’t know’, and feeling that anyone is saying, ‘well, you should know’. Well, no I don’t know everything, so lets work it out together!”.

We were also joined by Lucy Hawkings from Clancy Catholic College who describes her experience as an early career science teacher in a highly collegiate faculty.

Top learnings
Wherever possible, teach students to be open to taking managed risks. This will put them in an awesome frame of mind when it comes to thriving outside of the school environment.
It can be the little things that matter! Science doesn’t have to be about the big experiments, use microscopes and close observation of small objects as well.
Its ok to share failures and to ask questions from your colleagues. It’s the power of the collective that transforms education.

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

About Margaret Shepherd

Margaret Shepherd has been a science teacher in NSW Catholic schools for more than 20 years. She is the current president of the Science Teachers Association of NSW after many years of service since 2000.  She sees the role of the science educator as fundamental in engaging all students in the world of science and a future involving STEM careers. Margaret is passionate about supporting teachers in their core work of improving the creative and critical thinking of students in all regions and educational sectors of NSW.  She has been recognised for her contributions to science teaching receiving the Executive Director’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2004; Award to attend Science at the Shine Dome 2006, a citation for leadership in professional development and curriculum innovation in 2001, STANSW Distinguished Service Award in 2004 and PTC Outstanding Professional Service Award in 2005, nomination for Prime Ministers science teaching award, STANSW Life membership in 2014 and PTC Exceptional Service Award in 2017. Margaret has recently completed her Masters in Educational Leadership and is currently working as a regional leader of learning for 16 schools in south western Sydney and lecturer at ACU for pre-service secondary science teachers.

Contact details for STANSW
stansw.asn.au

STEM Teaching support resources

NEW Primary STEM teaching book! 
http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/be+amazing+book.html


>100 Free Science Experiments 
http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/Free+experiments.html


>100 Free Science Ideas and Tips
http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/Blog.html

Contact Fizzics Education
Web: http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/
Phone: +612 9674 2191

Know an educator who'd love this episode? Share it!
If something grabbed your attention in this STEM podcast please leave your thoughts below.

The Science Teachers Association of NSW exists to help teachers from all years and from all school types to learn from each other and to share best practice. This week we&rsquo;re joined by Margaret Shepherd, president of STANSW and lecturer in science education, who shares her thoughts on educational leadership and the huge variety of experiments that can be used to grab the hearts and minds of students. &ldquo;Building a relationship with people is the most important and having that trusting and open relationship where I can say, &lsquo;yeah, I don&rsquo;t know&rsquo;, and feeling that anyone is saying, &lsquo;well, you should know&rsquo;. Well, no I don&rsquo;t know everything, so lets work it out together!&rdquo;. We were also joined by Lucy Hawkings from Clancy Catholic College who describes her experience as an early career science teacher in a highly collegiate faculty. Top learnings
<ol>
<li>Wherever possible, teach students to be open to taking managed risks. This will put them in an awesome frame of mind when it comes to thriving outside of the school environment.</li>
<li>It can be the little things that matter! Science doesn&rsquo;t have to be about the big experiments, use microscopes and close observation of small objects as well.</li>
<li>Its ok to share failures and to ask questions from your colleagues. It&rsquo;s the power of the collective that transforms education.</li>
</ol>
Hosted by Ben Newsome from <a href="http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">Fizzics Education</a> About Margaret Shepherd Margaret Shepherd has been a science teacher in NSW Catholic schools for more than 20 years. She is the current president of the Science Teachers Association of NSW after many years of service since 2000.&nbsp; She sees the role of the science educator as fundamental in engaging all students in the world of science and a future involving STEM careers. Margaret is passionate about supporting teachers in their core work of improving the creative and critical thinking of students in all regions and educational sectors of NSW.&nbsp; She has been recognised for her contributions to science teaching receiving the Executive Director&rsquo;s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2004; Award to attend Science at the Shine Dome 2006, a citation for leadership in professional development and curriculum innovation in 2001, STANSW Distinguished Service Award in 2004 and PTC Outstanding Professional Service Award in 2005, nomination for Prime Ministers science teaching award, STANSW Life membership in 2014 and PTC Exceptional Service Award in 2017. Margaret has recently completed her Masters in Educational Leadership and is currently working as a regional leader of learning for 16 schools in south western Sydney and lecturer at ACU for pre-service secondary science teachers.
Contact details for STANSW
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.stansw.asn.au">stansw.asn.au</a></li>
</ul>
STEM Teaching support resources 
<ul>
<li>NEW Primary STEM teaching book!&nbsp; <a href="http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/be+amazing+book.html">http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/be+amazing+book.html</a> </li>
<li>&gt;100 Free Science Experiments&nbsp; <a href="http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/Free+experiments.html">http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/Free+experiments.html</a> </li>
<li>&gt;100 Free Science Ideas and Tips <a href="http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/Blog.html">http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/Blog.html</a></li>
</ul>
Contact Fizzics Education
<ul>
<li>Web:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/">http://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/</a></li>
<li>Phone: <a href="tel://1300%20856%20828">+612 9674 2191</a></li>
</ul>
Know an educator who'd love this episode? Share it! If something grabbed your attention in this STEM podcast please leave your thoughts below.

For educators and teachers working to make STEM amazing... no matter whether you're teaching science in grade 1, running a high school lab or delivering science shows in a museum, this education show helps you teach science & technology the way kids want to learn. The FizzicsEd Podcast brings in educators from across Australia and around the world to talk about tips, tricks, lessons and learnings they've had whilst working with students in the classroom and beyond. Hosted by Ben Newsome, a science teacher, author and founder of the multi-award winning science outreach team at Fizzics Education.

The FizzicsEd Podcast

For educators wanting to make STEM awesome! No matter whether you're teaching science in grade 1, running a high school lab or delivering  science shows in a museum, this show helps you teach science & technology the way kids want to learn.

The FizzicsEd Podcast brings in educators from across Australia and around the world to talk about tips, tricks, lessons and learnings they've had whilst working with students in the classroom and beyond. Hosted by Ben Newsome, a science teacher, author and founder of the multi-award winning science outreach team at Fizzics Education.

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