Geoscience Australia is hosting TESEP Ltd Professional Development Workshops in the Education Centre on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 December 2026 to upskill high-school science teachers to confidently teach Earth Science topics in the Australian Curriculum v9 and state/territory syallabi.

There are 4 sessions – please register for each session you'd like to attend via the Register button.

Tuesday 15 December 2026

9am to 12.00pm: Plate tectonics, the rock cycle, and why rocks and minerals form in specific places. This PD workshop examines the physical mechanisms and history of the theory of plate tectonics, the geochemistry of the mantle and the crust, controls on mineral formation like temperature and pressure, associated hazards like volcanoes and earthquakes, discusses why and where different minerals form, and subsequently where different rocks form due to plate tectonics, the rock cycle and surficial processes. The workshop will integrate hands-on activities to describe rocks, rock cycle examples, and explore how the properties of rocks provide resources for humans, including for First Nations Australians and for our high-tech lives. Years 7 to 12.

Tuesday 15 December 2026

1.00 to 3.30pm. Formation, physical properties and uses of critical minerals. This PD workshop investigates the definition of critical minerals, the chemical and physical properties that make minerals useful, why critical minerals form where they do, why understanding tectonic plate movements through time is important in the exploration of critical minerals, and why recycling is essential for supply. Practical activities will include examining the properties of a range of critical minerals Years 7 to 12.

Wednesday 16/12/2026

9am to 12.00pm: Data science and remote sensing. An introduction to data science, including types of remote sensing, and their relevance and use. Examples will include natural hazards prediction, climate monitoring, mineral exploration, fishing, archaeology, space exploration, agriculture, water monitoring, medicine and more. This PD is an over-arching topic relating data science through the curriculum, with a cross-over with physics, chemistry, biology and geography. Practical activities like hands-on exercises and use of Story Maps for assignments will be included. Years 7 to 12.

Wednesday 16/12/2026

1.00 to 3.30pm: Life, evolution and mass extinctions with a walk-through geological time. The workshop will look at life on Earth through geological time, exploring factors like plate tectonics, galactic influences, and mantle plumes that led to times of rapid evolution and mass extinction. Using the Geological Time Walk in Geoscience Australia’s grounds, the workshop will examine the rock record through the Earth’s ~4600 million year history with and discuss what life and conditions were like on Earth through time. The time walk follows a ~1.1km walk on an easy trail through Geoscience’s Australia’s landscaped gardens – and will include guidance on how to describe and identify a variety of rocks. Includes activities for the classroom. Years 7 to 12.

Cost:

$45.00 plus GST and booking fees per attendee for each session.

Please register for each session you'd like to attend via the Register button.

Payment method:

There are two payment methods:

Preferred payment by credit card on registration.
Other payment options via invoice by direct deposit (bank transfer), or via invoice by credit card (please contact us at eo@tesep.org.au if you would prefer the latter – note it carries a handling fee).

To register for this event:

click on the 'Register' button and follow the prompts
or scan the QR code below and follow the prompts
or go to https://collections.humanitix.com/tesep-pd-event, find this event and follow the prompts.

The topics are focused on teachers of years 7-10 secondary science students and will be of interest to upper primary science years 4-6. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided. Teachers and laboratory technicians are welcome to attend. A Certificate of PD Attendance will be issued.

Please park in the visitor's car park at Geoscience Australia, and proceed to reception. Morning or afternoon tea will be provided. The Blackstone Cafe inside Geoscience Australia sells items like coffee, snacks and lunch, and attendees can also use the kitchen facilities in the Education Centre (e.g. tea, coffee, fridge, sandwich press, microwave, cold water).

By registering you accept TESEP Ltd's cancellation and refund policy (cancellations and refunds are available up to 2 days prior to the event, or a ticket may be transferred to a substitute teacher / colleague for this event, no refunds within 2 days prior to the event) and our Privacy Policy.

See our website for more details about TESEP Ltd www.tesep.org.au

Geoscience Australia is the nation’s trusted source of information on Australia’s Earth sciences, Geoscience Australia empowers decision making by government, communities and industry. As well as cutting-edge research by leading geoscientists, Geoscience Australia has a world-class Education Centre, and collection of rocks, minerals, fossils and meteorites - providing a fantastic environment for our TESEP Ltd workshops. Thanks to Geoscience Australia for their support.

Contact the host of TESEP Ltd Professional Development Workshops - Geoscience Australia, Canberra, 15 and 16 December 2026.