Geoscience Australia is hosting TESEP Professional Development Workshops and a Field Trip on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 December 2025.

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

Tuesday 16 December 2025

9am to 12.00pm: Chemistry of the Rock Cycle, Plate Tectonics and Critical Minerals Professional Development workshop. This PD workshop discusses why and where different minerals form, and subsequently where different rocks form due to plate tectonics. The workshop will discuss the geochemistry of the mantle and the crust, controls on mineral formation like temperature and pressure, why economic and critical minerals only form in certain geological conditions, and volcanoes and natural hazards related to Earth 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 the energy transition and our high-tech lives. Years 4 to 12.
1.00 to 3.30pm: A guided field trip through time- the Geological Time Walk. This easy trail allows a walk through the Earth’s 4600 million year history along a 1.1 km walk through Geoscience’s Australia’s landscaped gardens. On this guided walk you will learn how to describe and identify a wide variety of rocks and minerals, and discuss what life and conditions were like on Earth through time. Years 4 to 12.

Wednesday 17 December 2025

9am to 12.00pm: Remote Sensing and Data Science Professional Development workshop. An introduction to all remote sensing types their relevance and use, particular in natural hazards prediction, climate monitoring, exploring for resources, archaeology and its use in agriculture. This PD is a over-arching topic related to the TESEP STEM workshops, with a cross-over with physics, chemistry, biology and geography. Includes some hands-on exercises. Years 7 to 12 with geography and other science crossover.
1.00 to 3.30pm: Wet Rocks Professional Development workshop. This PD examines the importance of groundwater in the story of the hydrological cycle and its role in everything from Artesian Basins, hanging swamps, and sustainably. The PD also looks at some of the ecological impacts on the hanging swamps in the Blue Mountains in NSW. Relevant to Years 6 to 8 relevant with geography crossover.

Cost:

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

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'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 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 workshops. Thanks to Geoscience Australia for their support.