1.  Astronomy Special: Conferences

a) Cosmos in your classroom, Astronomy Education for Teachers, 25th and 26th September 
Deakin University's Research for Educational Impact (REDI) is running a PD event for teachers from across Year 7 - 12 interested in an opportunity to learn from experts and colleagues in the field of astronomy.
This symposium and professional development brings together teachers who are interested in incorporating astronomy into their teaching. The aim is to learn from other teachers, but also provide teachers with the resources and support allowing them to incorporate the awe and wonder of astronomy into their teaching. Learn from researchers, astronomers and other teachers about their experiences and perspectives, and the potential of astronomy to be a gateway context to making connections between STEM and non-STEM
disciplines.
Venue: Tower 2 level 12/727 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3008
Cost: Free
To Register: click here, places are limited, 25 teachers only.
Further information: Contact Dr Saeed Salimpour  Click here for flyer and program.

b) Global Hands-On Universe Conference 2024, Online 23 - 27 September
This international conference is online from anywhere in the world.  Sessions will be offered in three time zones.  The cost to participate is only 10 €.  The program has not been finalised nor keynote speakers announced, but topics include: Astronomy education research, Best practices in Astronomy education, Citizen Science, Research in the classroom with robotic telescopes, etc.  The program will be announced in early September.

It plans to offer:

• astronomy/data activities that are ready for the classroom
• a chance to join a group of similar innovative educators who want to help you
• an opportunity for your students to use networks of remote telescopes around the world, to measure the characteristics of planets around other stars and undertake well-developed and tested activities, such as measuring the mass of the black hole in the center of our Milky Way, from genuine data.

To register an expression of interest and for more detail, click here.
This link to the 2023 conference will give you some idea of their program

c) Shaw-IAU Workshop by the IAU Office of Astronomy Education, 12-14 Nov, Free online conference 
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) have been running this three-day workshop for several years. Sessions are held at times to suit most of the global community.  For example looking at last year's program, Sessions were held in the following Melbourne times: 6pm - 7pm, 7pm - 8:30pm, 9pm - 10:30pm, 10:30pm to 12:00am until 3:00am.  So four of the seven sessions are accessible.
The session titles from the last Workshop were: Teaching methods and tools, Astronomy Education in Practice, Planetary Climate, etc with sessions repeated at different times over the three days.
This year's program has not been released yet but you can register here.
Robert Hollow from Parkes Radio Telescope and Jackie Bondell from OzGrav are the Australian Coordinators of this international event.

d) AIP Congress, 2nd - 5th December, Melbourne Convention Centre 
The AIP Congress in addition to having a Teachers' Day on Weds, 4th Dec, see item 6c below, has sessions for physicists throughout the week on several areas of physics.  Two areas that have sessions all week are: Astroparticle physics, and Solar Terrestrial and Space Physics
Check program details here.  For teachers a one-day registration is $130 and a two-day registration is $190
 

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2. Astronomy Special: Resources
a) The IAU Office of Astronomy Education that is organising the Shaw IAU Workshop, see above, has an extensive range of resources.  They are grouped under the headings Cosmology, Exoplanets and Astrobiology, Galaxies, Milky Way and Interstellar Medium, Naked Eye Astronomy, Solar System, Space Exploration, Stars, Telescopes, Instrumemts and Observatories and finally The Sun.
Each of these and a collection of images for downloading and several activities for a range of age groups.

b) Carl Sagan's Christmas Lectures at the Royal Institution.  The Planets - Carl Sagan's 1977 Christmas Lectures have been remastered and uploaded by the RI to Youtube.  There are six 60 minute talks on i)The Earth as a planet, ii) The outer solar system and life, iii) The history of Mars, iv) Mars before Viking, v) Mars after Viking, vi) Planets beyond our Sun.

c) Cosmology 101 Exploring the Universe by Perimeter Institute.  Nine 6 min videos by Katie Mack on Expansion of the Universe, CMB, Stellar Evolution, Galaxy Formation, Dark Matter, Dark Energy, etc  Check here for the full range of free resources from Perimeter Institute.

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3. Astronomy Special: On-line Telescopes
a) Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC).  Radio Astronomy The invisible Universe. Students utilise a real, dedicated radio telescope to probe a region of deep-space in search of distant celestial object activity such as stars, supernova and supermassive blackholes.
Note that this is a Virtual Program where VSSEC provides materials & telescope access and the session(s) are organised and delivered by the school using their teaching staff. Bookings are for exclusive control of the telescope and not for an incursion/excursion.

b) Pulse @ Parkes is a free educational program where your high school students use the CSIRO Parkes radio telescope, Murriyang, live and remotely to observe pulsars, analyse their data and interact with professional astronomers.

c) Our Solar Siblings - Exploring Stars, Galaxies and our Home in the Universe: An Evidence-Based Astronomy Education Program. Under Student Research Projects, it says 'The Our Solar Siblings project materials and associated telescope time are provided for free to interested teachers and students. We are capable of mentoring students for a variety of different research topics in astronomy and are very happy to.'
This is an Australian initiative, based at Deakin University.

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4. Quantum Computing for students: 2pm - 5pm, 24th November, University of Melbourne
    Enter the QUANTUM COMPUTING WORLD - learn to code the new FRONTIER.
As part of the international conference “Quantum Techniques in Machine Learning 2024” to be held at the University of Melbourne from 25th to 29th November, Lloyd Hollenberg is running an activity for students on the Sunday afternoon before.
The 3-hour activity is specifically designed to introduce you to the world of quantum computing. Students will be guided through the concepts underpinning how information is represented and processed in a quantum computer. 
Using the interactive web-based Quantum User Interface (QUI) system, they will gain first-hand experience in visualising quantum logic and coding quantum computers to carry out basic programs.

Who: VCE students and those who enjoy mathematical thinking
What: Students will need to bring a laptop with access to the Chrome browser.
Where: The University of Melbourne, Room G18 – G21, Alan Gilbert Building, 161 Barry St, Carlton
Click here for a copy of the flyer.
Click here to register.

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5. Events for Students 

a) Gymnasium Lectures (in person and online): 6pm Wednesdays, fortnightly in Term 3, University of Melbourne
The remaining lectures are listed below.

• September 4: Light and Matter (Prof. Harry Quiney)
• September 18: Special Relativity (Prof. David Jamieson)

All lectures will be held in the Hercus Theatre at the School of Physics, University of Melbourne and will begin at 6 pm sharp, with snacks beforehand.  Whilst this is an in-person event, a Zoom link will be sent out to all participants in the hour before the lecture.

To register, click here.
 

 b) VCE Physics Revision Lecture Sunday, 15th September, On-line and at Swinburne University of Technology
Update: Bookings close this Friday for students coming to Swinburne University. 
Some schools wish to pay for the students to attend the revision lecture by EFT, rather than by credit card.  Booking on the Students webpage only accepts credit cards. So, in the Teachers section, a Revision Lecture: School Bookings webpage has been set up that accepts EFT payment as well as credit cards.

Also teachers who accompany their students, either online or in person, do not have to pay.  If you have already paid, a refund will be issued.   Also check the information below on the Government support for attending revision lectures.

If you are only coming along to pick up some tips from Colin Hopkins, we ask that you pay the same fee as the students.  

This year's Revision Lecture will be held on Sunday, 15th September from 10:00am until 2:50pm.
It will be offered as a hybrid event, on-line and in person at the Hawthorn campus.
The presenter will be Colin Hopkins.  The on-line chat room will have experienced teachers available to answer questions.
Lunch will be provided by Swinburne University for the students.
Swinburne University will also provide campus tours and their Astro tour at lunchtime. These can be booked at Registration on the day.
The cost is $27.50 inc GST and participants will get access to revision material.
Students can book at this webpage on the Students of the Vicphysics website, where there is additional information.

State Government Initiative: Revision Lectures
The VCE Revision Lectures initiative recognises that rural and regional students face unique barriers in attending VCE revision lectures due to additional travel and accommodation costs.

Targeted funding is available to support rural and regional students from government schools to access VCE revision lectures and other exam revision supports across Victoria. Click here for information for schools.

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6. Events for Teachers 
a) Lab Tech Workshop on Years 7 - 10 Physics, 17th September
Vicphysics is again running an in-service for lab technicians on practical activities for Years 7 to 10 Physics. There are nine workshops to choose from. There are workshops on improving skills with CROs, Ruhmkorff coils and Van de Graaff generators, as well as workshops by Harvey Edwards, Ciderhouse, Modern Teaching Aids, Haines Educational and Man Lam from Lyndale Secondary College.
Cost: $85 includes lunch and morning tea.
To register and for more details of the program: click here.
 

b) Out-of-Field PD for Science Teachers: Wyndham Vale (Forces and Motion), Hamilton and Kew (Light and Sound),
The next PD events are in Term 4.

• Wyndham Vale on Weds, 6th November and Friday, 15th November, 9:30am to 3:30pm. Morning tea and lunch provided.  Forces and Motion: at Manor Lakes P-12 School
• Hamilton on Wednesday, 13 November and Tuesday, 19th November, 9:30am to 3:30pm. Morning tea and lunch provided. Light and Sound at Monivae College
• Kew High School on Thursdays from 24th October to 29th November at 4:30pm to 6:30pm  Light and Sound

Check here for details for these events and to book.

Costs: Hamilton ($220 per participant), Kew and Wyndham Vale ($330 per participant).  Discounts available for teachers from Government schools and for teachers from schools with a low ICSEA rank. CRT coverage is available for teachers from Government schools.


c) AIP Congress 2024: Teachers' Day, Weds, 4th December, Melbourne Convention Centre
The Australian Institute of Physics Congress is running from 2nd-5th December at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and will have a focus on education in the program running on Wednesday 4th December.
The program will start with a physics in education breakfast on the topic of 'AI in Physics Education', followed by a plenary presentation from Professor Majula Sharma, Professor of Science Education at the University of Sydney and Director of the STEM Teacher Enrichment Academy.
A focus session on 'Bridging High School and Tertiary Physics' will bring together secondary and tertiary educators with lightning talks and table discussions on laboratory learning and university-secondary outreach programs in physics.
After lunch, a series of invited and contributed talks will look at effective approaches to physics teaching and physics education across settings.

Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Date: Weds, 4th Dec
Cost: $130
To register: AIP Congress 2024 website
Stay tuned for more detailed program information.

d) PHYSCON 2025 - Making a Quantum Leap: Call for Presenters
Vicphysics Teachers’ Network Inc is excited to announce that “PHYSCON 2025 – Making a Quantum Leap,” a hybrid conference for all teacher of Physics, will be taking place on Friday, 21 February online and at Swinburne University of Technology’s Hawthorn Campus with the support of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

2025 is the international “Year of Quantum” and we are very fortunate to have Professor Nicolas Menicucci from RMIT giving a keynote address at the conference. He is an outstanding communicator who is leading the Australian national campaign to raise awareness of the ubiquity and importance of quantum phenomena as well as the opportunities that quantum technologies present for those who have physics knowledge and skills.

Vicphysics received a great deal of positive feedback following PHYSCON 2024 and we are looking forward to presenting an even better event in 2025. In particular, feedback emphasised the value of online access and many of the sessions were accessed multiple times after PHYSCON 2024. We will continue to work towards optimising both the in person and online experience and present a mixture of livestreamed, in person only and online only sessions.

We hope that you will take this opportunity to share your expertise and knowledge with your colleagues by presenting and look forward to receiving your submission for an in-person, streamed or online interactive workshop (click here). Presenters and up to one co-presenter receive free registration for the conference. We would appreciate receiving submissions by 19 September to assist with timely planning for the conference.

Looking forward to a rich spread of contributions that will inspire and support the Physics teaching community!

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9.   Physics News from the Web
Items selected from the bulletin of the Institute of Physics (UK).
Each item below includes the introductory paragraphs and a web link to the rest of the article.
a) The most precise timekeeping device ever built
If you want the world’s most precise clock, you’ll need to go to the US state of Colorado, where researchers from JILA and the University of Colorado, Boulder have measured the frequency of an optical lattice clock (OLC) with a record-low systematic uncertainty of 8.1 × 10⁻¹⁹ – equivalent to a fraction of a second throughout the age of the universe.
b) How ‘Newton First’ can help inspire the next generation
Two academics argue that a “Newton first” approach to undergraduate physics teaching can give students a better insight than focusing solely on “modern physics”
c) Wearable PET scanner allows brain scans of moving patients
Imaging plays a vital role in diagnosing brain disease and disorders, as well as advancing our understanding of how the human brain works. Existing brain imaging modalities, however, usually require the subject to lie flat and motionless – precluding use in people who cannot remain still or studies of the brain in motion.

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1.  Benefits of Vicphysics Membership and Access to the Teachers Resources on the website.
Vicphysics has changed its membership structure, benefits and fees.
Membership benefits are:

• access to teacher resources section of the website
• discounts to attend conferences, in-services, etc,
• certification for attending each PD event,
• PL certificate for committee meetings supplied at the end of the calendar year and
•  voting rights.

Membership fees are:

• Individual: $60                                            
• Retired: $40
• Student (tertiary): $40                                       
• School: $120

Vicphysics also offers a Resources Access Only option without the discounts and other benefits listed above. The fees for this option are the same as above.
Existing subscribers currently receive the discounts, which will cease when the subscription expires.  At which point subscribers will need to choose between the two options above for continued access to the Teachers resources.

By linking the discounts to the Membership, we hope to encourage more teachers to be more involved in the extensive range of Vicphysics activities.
Members can:

• contribute to reviews of VCE exam papers,
• assist with assessing competition entries,
• participate in curriculum discussions,
• introduce presenters at conferences

 

2.   VCE Physics Revision Lecture, School bookings are now available. Sunday, 15th September, On-line and at Swinburne University of Technology
Update: Some schools wish to pay for the students to attend the revision lecture by EFT, rather than by credit card.  Booking on the Students webpage only accepts credit cards. So in the Teachers section behind the paywall, a Revision Lecture: School Bookings webpage has been set up that accepts EFT payment as well as credit cards.

Also teachers who accompany their students, either online or in person, do not have to pay.  If you have already paid, a refund will be issued.  Also check the information below on the Government support for attending revision lectures.

This year's Revision Lecture will be held on Sunday, 15th September from 10:00am until 2:50pm.
It will be offered as a hybrid event, on-line and in person at the Hawthorn campus.
The presenter will be Colin Hopkins.  The on-line chat room will have experienced teachers available to answer questions.
Lunch will be provided by Swinburne University for the students.
Swinburne University will also provide campus tours and their Astro tour at lunchtime. These can be booked at Registration on the day.
The cost is $27.50 inc GST and participants will get access to revision material.
Students can book at this webpage on the Students of the Vicphysics website, where there is additional information.

State Government Initiative: Revision Lectures
The VCE Revision Lectures initiative recognises that rural and regional students face unique barriers in attending VCE revision lectures due to additional travel and accommodation costs.

Targeted funding is available to support rural and regional students from government schools to access VCE revision lectures and other exam revision supports across Victoria. Click here for information for schools.

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5. Events for Students 
a) National Science Week (NSW) Events
This is a list of some NSW events in Victoria.  Check here for details of this and many others.

• Dark Matter road trip  6:30pm, 30th August, Carlton

b Gymnasium Lectures (in person and online): 6pm Wednesdays, fortnightly in Term 3, University of Melbourne
This popular series is back in 2024, the remaining lectures are listed below.

• September 4: Light and Matter (Prof. Harry Quiney)
• September 18: Special Relativity (Prof. David Jamieson)

All lectures will be held in the Hercus Theatre at the School of Physics, University of Melbourne and will begin at 6 pm sharp, with snacks beforehand.  Whilst this is an in-person event, a Zoom link will be sent out to all participants in the hour before the lecture.

To register, click here.

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6. Events for Teachers 
a Lab Tech Workshops on Years 7 - 10 Physics,  17th September
Vicphysics is again running an in-service for lab technicians on practical activities for Years 7 to 10 Physics. There are nine workshops to choose from. There are workshops on improving skills with CROs, Ruhmkorff coils and Van de Graaff generators, as well as workshops by Harvey Edwards, Ciderhouse, Modern Teaching Aids, Haines Educational and Man Lam from Lyndale Secondary College.
Cost: $85 includes lunch and morning tea.
To register and for more details of the program: click here.


b) Global Hands-On Universe Conference 2024, Online 23 - 27 September
This international conference is online from anywhere in the world.  Sessions will be offered in three time zones.  The cost to participate is only 10 €.  The program has not been finalised nor keynote speakers announced, but topics include: Astronomy education research, Best practices in Astronomy education, Citizen Science, Research in the classroom with robotic telescopes, etc.  The program will be announced in early September.

It plans to offer:

• astronomy/data activities that are ready for the classroom
• a chance to join a group of similar innovative educators who want to help you
• an opportunity for your students to use networks of remote telescopes around the world, to measure the characteristics of planets around other stars and undertake well-developed and tested activities, such as measuring the mass of the black hole in the center of our Milky Way, from genuine data.

To register an expression of interest and for more detail, click here.
This link to the 2023 conference will give you some idea of their program

c) PHYSCON 2025 - Making a Quantum Leap: Call for Presenters
Next year's Physics Teachers' Conference will be held on Friday, 21st February, 2025.  It will again be a hybrid event, online and in person at the Hawthorn campus of the Swinburne University of Technology.  We invite teachers to present a workshop at the conference.  It can be on Senior School Physics or Middle School Physics.  Your format can be in person, online or pre-recorded.  You can have a co-presenter.
Both you and your co-presenter will get free registration for the conference.  If you would like to present a workshop, please complete this google form.
The closing date for lodging workshops is Friday, 20th September.
We are looking forward to another conference of innovative ideas, inspiring speakers and invigorating conversations.  We welcome your contribution.  If you have any queries, please get in touch.

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9.   Physics News from the Web
Items selected from the bulletin of the Institute of Physics (UK).
Each item below includes the introductory paragraphs and a web link to the rest of the article.

 

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