February Newsletter 2020 - STEM Program
BUSINESS AS USUAL IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
State of Emergency lifted for the Australian Capital Territory
With the start of the school year and parliamentary sittings resuming, school students are again being welcomed into Canberra for their annual excursion.
Currently all national institutions and attractions in Canberra urban areas are open and welcoming visitors and school groups.
A State of Alert remains in place for rural and remote parts of the Australian Capital Territory with the Orroral Valley fire still active in the Namadgi National Park at the southern end of the ACT. The bushfire has not impacted Canberra’s urban area and all ACT school children are back at school this week.
Advice about bushfires can be found on the ACT Emergency Services Agency website esa.act.gov.au
While air quality will vary as a result of prevailing wind conditions, it is monitored by the ACT Government’s Department of Health though the Air Quality Index (AQI). Details at health.act.gov.au
STEM in your National Capital
We are very pleased to present to you this special STEM pilot program for school groups Year 8 -12. There is an opportunity for one school per week for 6 weeks to take up this offer in first term 2020.
Why is this program so special?
Bookings are already secure at the participating attractions, as they appear on the attached itineraries
Groups will be accompanied by highly trained science communicators who will contact the school group prior to the excursion as an introduction, and provide a new level of meaning by focusing specifically on STEM and the connection between each of the attraction experiences
Includes dinner on Mondays and Wednesday nights
All entry and program costs are part of the one payment
Groups are only required to make transport and accommodation arrangements including all other meals apart from Monday and Wednesday night.
https://canberraexcursions.org.au/stem-pilot-program-1st-term-2020
Weeks will be allocated on a first come, first served basis on a receipt of a modest deposit.
Australian War Memorial
Essential Booking Information
Bookings for school visits to the Memorial in Term One 2021 will open at 11:00 AEDT on Wednesday, 5 February 2020. In response to feedback we have received, and to best accommodate all visitors during the years of building development on the Memorial’s site, there will be significant changes to the way school bookings are made for 2021. These changes will give users greater autonomy and capability to select and book visit types online, and will provide immediate confirmation of bookings upon creation. The new bookings portal is now open for review, but bookings cannot be made until 5 February 2020. https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/schools/Essential-Information
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we roll out the changes for first term 2021 bookings. Please email school.bookings@awm.gov.au with any issues, or questions you have that may not be covered in the online FAQ list.
Teacher Familiarisation Tour
Friday 27 – Monday 30 March 2020
Spend an action packed 4 days in your National Capital with teachers from all states, disciplines and backgrounds, discovering the educational benefits of taking school excursions to the National Capital.
Teachers will be given the opportunity to explore 23 cultural institutions and attractions in the National Capital and how they assist in the teaching of Australian history, culture, democracy,
civics and citizenship, science and art.
Learn about programs, exhibits, resources and educational activities available to
students at both primary and secondary levels.
Your subsidised participation fee includes flights, coach transfers in Canberra,
accommodation and most meals.
Rates range from
$600 for teachers from NSW, VIC, SA, South QLD and TAS
$800 for teachers from North QLD, WA and NT
(if organising your own transport to and from Canberra, participation fee is $350)
Register now at https://canberraexcursions.org.au/subsidised-teacher-familiarisation-tour
or email admin@ncetp.org.au