NSWTR 2024 HR - Flipbook - Page 3
FOREWORD
elcome to the 40th edition of ASTA’s
annual teacher resource book, proudly
supported by the Australian Government.
In 1984, with sponsorship from CSIRO, the
Australian Science Teachers Association launched
an ambitious schools-based event and teacher
booklet called Australian Science in Schools Week.
The week was a great success, and continued
as an annual program until 1997, when the
Australian Government and its partners
established National Science Week – a national
celebration encouraging Australians of all ages
to become engaged with the sciences. I am proud
to support the continued legacy of this annual
teacher resource book, providing captivating
science content and fostering scienti昀椀c curiosity.
This year’s theme, Species Survival – More than
just sustainability, explores some of the critical
challenges impacting Earth’s human, animal and
plant habitation, especially here in Australia.
We share our island home with more than
200,000 animal species – more than in any other
developed nation – and around 24,000 species
of native plants, each contributing to our rich
biodiversity. Our custodianship comes with a
great responsibility to protect their long-term
survival.
Once the realm of science 昀椀ction, we now have
extraordinary capabilities to research and tackle
W
SPECIES SURVIVAL — MORE THAN JUST SUSTAINABILITY
these challenges, from large scale carbon capture
schemes to developing technology to combat
species loss at a microscale. Scientists employ
techniques to genetically manipulate species’
resilience and are even attempting to use RNA to
reintroduce extinct species, such as the thylacine.
Collaborative e昀昀orts across the STEM
community, citizen scientists and Indigenous
science specialists are unlocking new approaches
to the existential threats faced by living creatures.
Species survival is a truly global e昀昀ort that
demonstrates the best of what humanity can
achieve together.
Looking back to 1984, as a high school student
I couldn’t have imagined the extraordinary
leaps in science and technology that have not
only underpinned our economic and industrial
progress, but perhaps will now play a decisive
role in our survival.
The Hon Ed Husic MP,
Minister for Industry and Science
“We share our island home
with more than 200,000
animal species.”
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