Connect with us through one of our free videoconferencing sessions
Teachers can accrue NESA-registered professional development hours at the Proficient Teacher level for time spent planning and reflecting on all ANSTO e-learning programs. ANSTO provides three different videoconference programs to classrooms across Australia.
Nuclear science inquiry skills
In this two-lesson plus homework program, your students plan and conduct an investigation first-hand. Give your students access to high-quality radioactive sources, instruments, and scientific expertise at ANSTO.
This program is designed to address content and skill outcomes in the Year 9, Year 10 and Senior Physics Australian Curriculum and NSW syllabuses.
Teachers can book this program at a time and date that suits your class. Please book at least 2 weeks before your preferred date.
Required resources for this videoconference
Suggested lesson sequence
Suggested lesson sequence
| Lesson 1 (in-class) | Lesson 2 (videoconference) | Post-work / Homework |
|---|---|---|
|
As a class, students:
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As a class, students:
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Students:
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Contact the ANSTO Discovery Centre to book
Meet an expert
In this two-lesson plus homework program, students will gather, process and present information about a practicing Australian scientist.
Our staff are experienced science communicators and can discuss ANSTO's research with primary or secondary classes at an appropriate level of detail.
This program is designed to address:
- Science as a Human Endeavour and Science Inquiry Skills content descriptors for Stages 3-5 (Years 5-10).
- Skill outcomes for Stage 6 science subjects.
Please note that we have booked our scientists for a 3-hour time slot. When you book one of these sessions, we will contact you by email and ask you to select a 30-minute period within this time slot for your students to talk with our expert.
Suggested lesson sequence
| Lesson 1 (in-class) or pre-work at home | Lesson 2 (videoconference) | Post-work or homework |
|---|---|---|
|
As a class, students:
|
As a class, students:
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Students:
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Upcoming Meet an Expert Sessions for 2018:
Helen Maynard-Casely (Wednesday November 28, 1:30-3:30pm)
Helen Maynard-Casely (Wednesday November 28, 1:30-3:30pm)
Helen is a planetary scientist who uses neutron diffraction to study the crystal structures of small molecules. In particular, Helen is interested in how molecules and ices behave under pressure in conditions similar to those found inside the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.
Ben Fraser (Wednesday December 5, 1:30-3:30pm)
Ben Fraser (Wednesday December 5, 1:30-3:30pm)
Ben is a research chemist at ANSTO who specialises in developing new and improved radiopharmaceuticals. He also lectures at several universities to teach the next generation of scientists and medical professionals about nuclear medicines. Ben works together with scientists across the world in large collaborative projects, and supervises his own research students.
Please check back in 2019 for next year's suite of Meet an Expert videoconferences.
Nuclear science as a human endeavour
In this two-lesson plus homework program, your students investigate nuclear medicine production and use, the function of ANSTO's OPAL multipurpose reactor, and how we work safely with radiation.
This program is designed to address the following Science as a Human Endeavour content descriptions in the Year 9 Australian curriculum:
- ACSHE158: Advances in scientific understanding often rely on developments in technology and technological advances are often linked to scientific discoveries.
- ACSHE160: People use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they accept claims, explanations or predictions, and advances in science can affect people's lives, including generating new career opportunities.
Required pre-work for students
Required pre-work for students
- Read this newspaper article about different types of medical scans.
- Experience what it might be like to be a nuclear reactor operator at ANSTO by using our Half-life Hero app.
- Refer to our Nuclear Science Study Guide to find out more about what we do at ANSTO.
- Have a printed copy of the Nuclear Science as a Human Endeavour worksheet ready to fill out during the videoconference.
Suggested lesson sequence
Suggested lesson sequence
| Lesson 1 (in-class) | Lesson 2 (videoconference) | Post-work or homework |
|---|---|---|
|
As a class, students:
|
As a class, students:
|
Students:
|
Contact the ANSTO Discovery Centre to book
Remote Labs
Freely Accessible Remote Laboratories (FarLabs) have developed a nuclear remote online laboratory that schools can use to perform experiments with nuclear radiation.
The “Turntable” experiment illustrates the penetrating power of different forms of radiation. Students can choose to pair one of four sources (alpha, beta, gamma, and unknown) with one of five absorbers, including no absorber at all. A live data feed shows the count rate from a Geiger counter placed above the selected radioactive source.
The "Inverse Square Law" experiment demonstrates how the amount of radiation decreases with increasing distance from a radiation source. Students can access a live data feed showing the count rate from a Geiger counter placed at a selected distance away from a radiation source.
Teachers need to register using this link before using the remote laboratory. Please direct all enquiries to Emma Gill at e.gill@latrobe.edu.au.
We highly recommend testing this remote laboratory on your school’s equipment before planning a lesson with your class.
The FarLabs project is led by the Department of Physics at La Trobe University in collaboration with James Cook University, Curtin University, Quantum Victoria, V3 Alliance, and ANSTO.