photo from here

The dates for ConQEST 2012 have been set for Monday and Tuesday, 25 and 26 June 2012.  The program is yet to be finalised, but you can get a taste of what it might be like by checking out the ConQEST page on this site and having a look at last years programme.

While you’re there download the accommodation options and start planning your trip.

You can win yourself a free trip to ConQEST by applying for the bursary.  Details in the next LabLINK.

Image: dream designs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Are you wondering already how many weeks until school holidays roll around again? Well this is your lucky day! The calendar has been updated with the school holidays, public holidays and student free days for 2012 and the beginning of 2013.  The dates for ConQEST 2012 in June have been published as well.

These term dates may not apply to private schools as they are the dates designated by Education QLD for all state schools.

If you can help us keep the calendar up to date with information for other school sectors please get in touch.

Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

At ConQEST 2011 we were lucky enough to have Queensland’s Chief Scientist, Dr Geoff Garrett, as a keynote speaker.  Lucky because he’s an incredibly busy man, lucky because our conference clashed with another that he was expecting to be at and lucky because he’s an entertaining and interesting person to listen to.

His talk meandered around his education and his career, teachers that had inspired him to be a scientist and teachers who had advised him not to be, his family and his friends, his arrival in QLD to a flooded apartment and an adopted state that had been declared a disaster zone in January 2011.  The theme he kept coming back to, though, was Snakes and Ladders.

His point was that you are going to encounter snakes and ladders wherever you go.  At work, at home, logging into your online banking, trying to get from Point A to Point B.  The trick is to recognise the snakes before you slither down the game board and have to start again, and to identify the ladders for the opportunity they present to scoot up a level or two in life. Sometimes it’s about how you choose to look at things, sometimes it’s about your frame of mind when something enters your dance space, sometimes you just have to hope the beastie isn’t poisonous and get on with it.

So, as we hurtle towards the end of another term and another year I hope that you’ve been able to hurdle a few snakes and stumble across more than your fair share of ladders.  The introduction of the National Curriculum in Queensland could be seen as a snake, I suppose, but I’m choosing to see it as a ladder because I’ve had the opportunity to buy some really cool equipment to use in the classroom next year.

May all your snakes turn out to be ladders, after all.  We look forward to seeing you next year – high and dry at the top of a ladder!

ps.  Geoff also left us with a copy of an extract from Put a Little Science in Your Life by Brian Greene.  If you missed out on a copy you can read it here.

And this is the pile of names of people that were drawn out who couldn’t claim their prize because they didn’t stay for the festivities on Monday afternoon.  Too bad … so sad.

So that’s ConQEST done and dusted for 2011.  A feedback survey should be hitting your inbox any day now so keep an eye out and let us know what you thought.  It’s a pretty big job for the committee to organise a conference without any idea what people are hoping to see when they get there so please make the effort to let us know.

A huge thank you to the organisers of ConQEST 2011 – you’ve all done a fabulous job!  To see just how fabulous it was have a look at the smilebox here.  You might just spot someone you know!  Thanks to Chris Jensen for most of the photos – we couldn’t do it without you.

Digital slideshow made with Smilebox

There were over 50 entries in this section so it is a credit to their teacher and lab techs on a very fine effort
I would also like to thank the RNA, Russell Smith and Monica Hammond for organising the PD’s at the RNA which enabled teachers and lab techs to learn the art of cheese making and be able to pass on this skill to science students.

Well done St. Pauls.

MCGAW, Jan
Ferny Grove SHS

I have been going through the list of registrations and have sent out invoice (by email) to all those people who are QEST Members.

If you have not received your invoice, and intend to become a member please check with your office that the MEMBERSHIP form and payment have been sent. It would be greatly appreciated.
If you have NOT paid your registration for 2011-12 and intend to soon can you please let me know by emailing vjord1@eq.edu

To renew your membership you just have to download a current membership form from www.qest.org.au/joinqest and send it with payment to the treasurer at the address on the form.

If you are a new or recently renewed member of QEST then you have absolutely nothing to worry about!

Have a great term and we’ll see you all at ConQEST.

photo from here

Online registration for ConQEST 2011 is now live.

Click here to register

Once registered, you will receive an invoice from QEST 5-7 working days after registration. Please forward this invoice to your Finance Department for payment.

The page is hosted by the Education Queensland South East Region Learning Community site so you will be redirected away from the QEST website to complete your registration.

The program is available to preview on the ConQEST page on this site.

Can’t wait to see you there!