As a pre-service STEM Teacher I found the CONASTA 65 Conference both educational and inspirational. The theme: “Superheroes – Unmasking your Potential” was precisely demonstrated and clearly felt among all attendees. Networking with current teachers, pre-service teachers and experts in the field allowed me to both experience and ascertain knowledge that will provide a stable platform for me to begin my career in teaching.

The keynote speakers also instilled a sense of encouragement and motivation to follow my passion with a sense of purpose. They all embedded the message of the importance of teaching as a fundamental community service from which future generations will benefit.  My aspirations were uplifted and sense of urgency to become involved in influencing the STEM students of tomorrow ignited.

Workshops, workshops…if only I could have attended them all! These provided intimate, hands-on opportunities that have motivated me to incorporate many of the ideas provided into my classroom.  Teaching science “like it is practiced” was a key message that I focused my attention on throughout the conference.

Education is such a collaborative field and I am looking forward to contributing my experiences and embracing the ongoing learning that will ensue.

An enormous thanks to StepUp and all the effort involved that allowed me to attend and be a part if such an amazing conference. Looking forward to attending CONASTA 66 next year in Hobart.

Yvonne Winter

Griffith University

I chose to enter the teaching profession to share my passion of science with the curious youth of today.  With students being constantly bombarded with outside influences such as social media and a lack of free thinking time, I believe it is vital to help them to see past all the distractions and rein-still that sense of wonder they were all innately born with. I intend to teach with an innovative approach, incorporating STEM inquiry-based learning to inspire my students to want to to make new discoveries and make a positive difference in society.  We live in a dynamically changing world where students of today need to be effectively prepared for the future. Through encouragement and higher order thinking, I want to be a teacher that develops the minds of future thinkers and leaders.