An advocacy kit is a collection of information and resources that will help publicly support, promote or champion a cause.
Recommendations
Recommendations for promoting the role of the school science technicians. The idea of an advocacy kit was promoted at CONASTA in Perth in 2015. An opportunity for suggestions and feedback was given at this time during an interactive SETA forum as well as an online survey. The following is a compilation of the main ideas expressed, 2016 September Advocacy Kit feedback summarised
Role of the school science technician
The role of the school science technician in Australian schools is to support practical activities in the science curriculum. The following links contain information regarding this role and examples or promoting the role.
Technical Staff in Schools policy 2012
https://seta.edu.au/profile-activities/
Testimonial Lyn Beazley (pdf)
Recognition of the school science technician
There are a number of awards that are presented to school science technicians that recognise the contribution of individual technicians to science education.
http://au.educationhq.com/news/26609/lab-technicians-support/#
Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education https://education.qld.gov.au/about-us/events-awards/awards-competitions/peter-doherty-awards-for-excellence-in-STEM
Responsibilities of the school science technician
The role of school science technician is very important when highlighting safety considerations. Most accidents are preventable.
Useful safety resources (please send others you find useful)
Chemical Management Handbook – Science ASSIST
Guidelines for Best Practice in Microbiology in Australian Schools
We hope that this collection of ideas, information, resources, links and strategies will help empower technicians to promote the role of School Science Education Technicians.
This Advocacy kit is envisioned as a living document to be updated and expanded annually. If you have any further suggestions please contact SETA through this link: Contacts