Welcome to the Connect with Scientists & Spark Student Curiosity – Earth Science Panel for Teachers!
Join us on August 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM (Australia/Brisbane Time) for an engaging discussion.
As part of National Science Week and supported by Inspiring Australia Queensland, we invite you to attend a hybrid (online and in person) panel event “Connect with Scientists & Spark Student Curiosity – Earth Science Panel for Teachers” that brings together scientists working in Earth and Environmental Science disciplines aligned with the Australian National Curriculum. The panel will respond to both pre-submitted and live questions, offering practical insights and real-world examples to help educators spark student interest and engagement in science.
Why attend?
Ask your questions: Submit in advance or live during the panel
Hear from leading scientists working in curriculum-aligned areas
Take away classroom-ready resources
Build your network over refreshments
Inspire students with real-world science and career pathways
While the event is designed with secondary teachers in mind, we also warmly welcome primary educators and university students in Science or Secondary Teaching programs.
Meet our panel
Tony Shellshear (moderator) - Tony is a geologist with over 40 years of experience in exploration, mining, and technical data management. A long-time member of AusIMM, he serves on the GSA Queensland committee and leads the Rocks and Minerals Sets project, which has distributed over 1,500 kits to schools. He also contributed to the 2018 QCAA Earth and Environmental Science curriculum revision.
Joanne Wilkinson - Joanne has 34 years' experience at QM developing preparation and conservation techniques of fossil material from a range of QLD sites. She has participated in fossil excavations at Winton, Eromanga, Eulo, Roma and the Darling Downs, and has conducted regional training programs in south-west and central Queensland. Joanne currently manages technical aspects of QM research projects with a dedicated volunteer team.
Keegan McGuffie - Keegan is a pre-service Earth and Environmental Science and Geography teacher, currently completing his Master of Teaching at ACU. He has a background in geology and hydrogeology, and is a member of the Geological Society of Australia's Education and Outreach Committee, passionate about inspiring the next generation of Earth scientists and raise awareness of the discipline.
Karen Aurisch - Karen is a geoscientist with over 20 years of experience in exploration, appraisal, and development of natural resources, and she currently holds an operational role with Arrow Energy. Karen serves on the Federal Executive of the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG) as Chair of the Education Committee, promoting Earth Science education for students and teachers. Karen combines her passion for Earth Science with leadership experience to support the development of future industry talent through her role on the ASEG Executive.
All under-18 students must be accompanied by a teacher, guardian, or designated supervisor. By registering to the event, all participants inclulding parents/guardians for minors attending consent to photography and recording during the event for promotional and documentation purposes.
This is a collaborative event between WOMEESA and the Geological Society of Australia.