Action learning opportunities

Involvement with Science Talent Search committee will allow you to choose and concentrate on the area(s) of interest to you:

• Assessment and reporting strategies – planning, implementing and providing feedback
• Team work – working with colleagues from other schools
• Cross-curricula learning and teaching strategies
• Public speaking
• Organise and administer public student events – judging day and exhibition day
• Communication skills – written and verbal

• Actively contribute to your profession and your professional association
• Reports published in professional journals
• Develop deeper knowledge and understanding of student-centred pedagogy
• Peer review and professional support for colleagues
• Leadership skills.

Assessment and reporting strategies

Section coordinators determine judging criteria and judging guidelines, including the development of rubrics and feedback proformas.

Working in teams

Opportunities exist for working in teams with colleagues from other schools, leadership roles, sharing ideas and teaching and learning strategies, developing deeper understanding of sound assessment principles and practices and participating in public events such as judging day and exhibition & presentation day.

Cross-curricula learning

Science Talent Search offers nine sections for students to choose from - all with cross-curricula focus. Posters, Games, Creative Writing, Working Models, Inventions, Computer Programs, DVDs and Science Photography all provide a great deal of scope for working with other discipline areas.

Public speaking

You can nominate your interest in taking on a public speaking role at Exhibition and Presentation day. By acting as MC you will be speaking to an audience of 100 – 200 people, consisting of students, teachers, parents and sponsors.

Organising and administering public student events

As a section coordinator you will be contributing to the organisation of the public judging day and exhibition and presentation day. You will also take a leading role administering and managing the events on the day.

Communication skills

Writing reports, debating issues at meetings, practicing your public speaking and maintaining resource book instructions and handbook section guidelines are all part of your possible roles.

Contribute to your profession

Through your contribution to the STS committee and the STS competition you will be making a valuable contribution to science education and to your professional association – the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria.

Published articles

You will have opportunities to write articles for publication in STAV’s professional journals, with support and contributions from your fellow committee members.

Student-centred pedagogy

Science Talent Search provides an ideal model for implementing student-centred pedagogy.

Peer review

Much of the work you do can be informally reviewed by your peers and constructive suggestions and feedback provided. This is an important element of skill development.

Leadership skills

Once you have gained experience on the STS committee you can apply to join the small team of Co-directors on the STS Management Group. The management group takes on additional leadership, organisational, financial and decision-making responsibilities.

VIT standards of professional practice

Your work on Science Talent Search committee can be referenced to many VIT standards when you submit your application for renewal of registration. More information about STS links with VIT standards.

Back to About the committee page.

Back to STS home page.

Back to Science Victoria home page