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Welcome to the first edition of the Seriously Social newsletter for 2025. We hope that your return to school has been as smooth as possible to set you and your students up for a great year of learning and discovery.
In this month’s newsletter you will find an invitation to enter the Great Student Debate competition, with finalists joining us in Canberra in September 2025. The Great Student Debate is part of the Social Sciences Week events taking place from 8-14 September 2025.
This newsletter also features a new debate kit and an early release preview of upcoming curriculum resources.
Additionally, you’ll find more opportunities to participate in Social Sciences Week.
We look forward to remaining in contact to provide you with the latest updates from Seriously Social throughout the year. |
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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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Events and Opportunities |
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The Great Student Debate Competition |
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Here is your chance to dive into debating with the Seriously Social Great Student Debate for Social Sciences Week 2025!
What is the Great Student Debate?
An exciting national competition where students in Years 8, 9 and 10 engage in spirited debate and develop essential skills while exploring key issues in Australian history.
This year's debate will address the statement: "That Australian history unites us."
Eligibility: Open to students in Years 8, 9 and 10 who are new to competitive debating.
Prizes:
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a contribution towards costs to attend the final competition in Canberra,
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a debate coaching workshop before the competition led by experts,
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the opportunity to showcase debating skills at the National Library of Australia during Social Sciences Week!
For more information email info@socialsciences.org.au
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NLA Education Research Skills Seminar |
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To help your students prepare for the Great Student Debate, Seriously Social is partnering with the National Library of Australia to provide a free webinar on digital research skills!
What is the NLA Education Great Student Debate Research Skills Webinar?
A live, online event led by experts from the National Library of Australia that will show your students how to access and navigate the National Library collection through gallery objects, library services, eResources, Digital Classroom, the catalogue and Trove.
Who should attend?
Australian school students and teachers. This webinar will provide valuable learning for those who wish to take part in the Great Student Debate during Social Sciences Week 2025.
When is it?
April 1, 1.00PM AEST/2.00PM ADST
How much does it cost?
Attendance is FREE for school students and teachers.
To register yourself or your students for this free event, click the button below.
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| Register for the Great Student Debate Research Skills Webinar |
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Debating |
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Have you seen the new Seriously Social debate kit?
Support your students to consider different perspectives and develop skills in researching and debate planning with the new kit on the topic "That Australian History Unites Us".
It's free to download, and can be used in conjunction with the Debating Guide for Classroom Teachers to get your students talking about important social science questions.
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| Explore the Australian History Debate Kit |
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New Resource Development
Year 6 Plants and Life in Space |
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Seriously Social subscribers are offered a sneak preview of the Year 6, cross-curriculum learning resource Plants and Life in Space.
This is a unique, real-world teaching resource developed in collaboration with the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S) and Seriously Social, an initiative of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. This resource, produced at no cost to schools, brings together the expertise of both science and social science research experts. The content is peer-reviewed and offers real-world learning opportunities, helping students explore potential career paths in space research, sustainable farming and related fields.
The resource is still in development and currently includes reading articles and engaging learning experiences. Linked to the Australian, NSW and Victorian Curriculums, the module is designed for Year 6 students, focusing on Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) and Technology.
Teachers can adapt the resources to meet the diverse needs of their students, with flexible learning experiences that cater to various learning styles and abilities. Educational videos to complement this learning module are currently in development and will be circulated in the very near future.
If you would like to register your interest to be a trial school for this learning module, email us at info@socialsciences.org.au |
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Do you follow Seriously Social on Linkedin, Youtube or Facebook?
Interactions from our followers ensure that more people see the free educational social science resources that we offer.
If you see us in your feed, please give us a like or share and help us to spread the word!
Click below to follow and share.
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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 invite you and your school community to connect with us to promote events that you may wish to lead.
Here are just some of the ways your students can join in the fun:
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| Explore Social Sciences Week for Schools |
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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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Click here to unsubscribe | Sent to: _t.e.s.t_@example.com
Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, 3/95 Northbourne Ave , Turner ACT 2612, Australia |
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