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Dear friend,
Welcome to the final edition of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia's Seriously Social schools newsletter for 2024.
In this month’s edition it is my pleasure to introduce you to my colleague Professor Russell Tytler. Russell is a leading Australian educator and researcher, a Fellow of the Academy and member of our Education Committee.
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Professor Russell Tytler is Deakin Distinguished Professor and Chair in Science Education at Deakin University. He has played a pivotal role in shaping Australia's science curriculum, leading several initiatives for the Department of
Education and significantly contributing to teacher professional development. Widely published, Professor Tytler’s research spans both national and international contexts, with a focus on interdisciplinary teaching and climate change education. His innovative work also supports out-of-field teachers in science and mathematics. As a member of the Science Expert Group for OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2015 and 2025, he represents the OECD in global STEM discussions and previously served as Deputy Chair for the Australian Academy’s STEM Country Comparisons project
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You will also find in this newsletter new resources, news of Seriously Social’s Australian Geography Teachers Association (AGTA) national award (our winner!) and information
and opportunities for schools to get involved in Social Sciences Week during September 2025.
Your feedback and input are always welcome, please find links below to connect with us.
To all school staff, we wish you a well-deserved break and a joyful festive season for those celebrating. We look forward to the new year, working together and supporting the outstanding work you do.
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Professor Barry McGaw AO, FASSA, FAPS, FACE
Chair, Education Committee, former President
Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
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Above: Professor Richard Holden, Academy President and Cindy Bin Tahal, Academy Education Director (second and third from right), stand with winners of the 2024 AGTA awards.
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We are excited to announce that the Academy’s Seriously Social Geography: Water in the World learning module has been named winner of the Australian Geography Teachers Association (AGTA) not-for-profit generated
resource award!
On October 3, 2024, during the AGTA conference, Academy President Professor Richard Holden and Education Director Cindy Bin Tahal accepted the award on behalf of the research experts, dedicated teachers, and creative team behind this resource.
Water in the World is designed for Year 7 students and teachers, addressing the critical issue of water management in Australia. It emphasises the importance of understanding water’s value and the need for sustainable responses to the challenges related to water access and usage.
Nominees for the AGTA awards were assessed according to a range of criteria including currency, authenticity, application of contemporary understandings about how students learn, use of cutting-edge production, and innovative style.
We are proud of this award as it represents our commitment to supporting the great work of teachers to deliver social science education in schools across Australia. Teachers are invited to access this resource which is freely available from the Seriously Social website.
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Debating
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Last month, Academy President Professor Richard Holden worked with students from UC High School Kaleen, as they prepared for a student debate at the National Library of Australia as a prelude to the 2024 Social Sciences Week Great Debate.
Professor Holden, amongst many achievements is a past national debate champion. He has been instrumental in shaping the Seriously Social Debate Guide for Classroom Teachers and through his work coaching the students from UC High School Kaleen, a complementary Education Debate Video is now available.
It is encouraging to see so many educators accessing Seriously Social’s debate resources. Debating is a teaching methodology that develops a range of valuable knowledge, skills and attributes. Debating is an activity that provides individuals with transferrable life skills, as they become more informed and engaged citizens.
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Social Sciences Week 2025
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Social Sciences Week (SSW) will take place 8-14 September 2025. We will have a range of options for schools to get involved in SSW and look forward to promoting these during Term 1 of 2025.
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Debating will once again be an opportunity for schools to
engage in SSW, with a new debate kit topic available at this link.
We are currently working with a variety of organisations to bring together a SSW student debate competition, so be sure to check back in during Term 1, 2025 for all of the relevant information!
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Listen
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Together, or together alone? Teens and adults debate social media's good, bad and ugly.
Want to hear our debate kit in action?
Click on the image to listen to the ABC radio broadcast of the Student Debate from SSW2024, featuring students from UC High School Kaleen.
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Connect
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Feedback and further inquiries are welcome via email: info@socialsciences.org.au.
Please note our National Office will be closed from COB Friday 20 December and reopen on Thursday 2 January 2025. Our social media accounts will not be monitored from 16 December 2024 until 13 January 2025.
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Subscribe to stay up to date
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Please help to spread the word—educators are invited to subscribe to the Seriously Social mailing list to keep informed of developments in the Academy’s school program.
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Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, 3/95 Northbourne Ave , Turner ACT 2612, Australia
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