Speakers          Workshops          Excursions          Social

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Keynote Speakers

CONASTA 60 will be hosting some of the best Australian and international speakers. These will include:
 
Dr Bart Currie                                                      Professor Ray Norris
Dr Clinton Fookes                                              Professor Grahame Webb                                     Jane Nickless (Lab Tech Keynote)                                
 
Associate Professor Debbie Corrigan
 
Faculty of Education, Monash University

Dr Corrigan is the Deputy Dean (Teaching), Faculty of Education, Monash University. She has researched and worked extensively in the areas of Science Education, particularly Chemistry Education, and has been a member of the Science in School Project in Victoria as both a consultant and member of the Assessment Reference Group. In addition she has worked as a science consultant in a number of action research and curriculum evaluation projects with schools, both metropolitan and country, as well as with the Chemical Industry in developing links with schools. She was a member of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Chemistry Reference Panel and is a current VCE Chemistry Examinations Setter. She has also published textbooks for Chemistry and Science teachers including the use of learning technologies in science classrooms.

Dr Corrigan was originally a high school Chemistry and Biology teacher and has maintained her close links with schools through CRT work (both primary and secondary), as a school reviewer and as a School Council President of a Primary School and School Councillor in a Secondary School.


Professor Bart Currie
School of Medicine, Flinders University 

Professor Bart Currie is an Infectious Diseases Physician at Royal Darwin Hospital and Professor in Medicine at the Northern Territory Clinical School, Flinders University. He is also head of the Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases Division of the Menzies School of Health Research at Charles Darwin University and Program Leader of the Biomedical Program inthe Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health.

Areas of interest include clinical and epidemiological aspects of tropical and emerging infections, development of treatment guidelines and clinical toxicology.

 


Dr Clinton Fookes 
Queensland University of Technology

Clinton actively researches in the field of computer vision and pattern recognition which is the science of making machines see. His work relies on automatically extracting and interpreting important information from visual sources; including images and video. He has applied this research to a number of areas including biometrics, intelligent surveillance, medical imaging, visual attention, and airport security and operations.

Dr Fookes was the Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Award winner in 2009 and has been sponsored by the Australian Institute for Policy and Science (AIPS) for CONASTA 60.



Professor Ray Norris

Australia Telescope National Facility, CSIRO (Unconfirmed) 

 

Ray Norris is an astrophysicist at the CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility. He received an Honours Degree in Theoretical Physics at Cambridge University, UK, and then a PhD at Manchester University, UK. He moved to Australia in 1983 to work for CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility, where he became Head of Astrophysics in 1994, and Deputy Director in 2000. He currently leads a project to image the faintest radio galaxies and star-forming galaxies in the Universe, to understand how they form and evolve. He also studies the astronomy of Aboriginal Australians, and is an Adjunct Professor in the Dept. of Indigenous Studies at Macquarie University. Professor Norris has been sponsored by CSIRO for CONASTA 60.
 

A/Prof Paul Francis
The Australian National University
 
Astronomers love to boast about all the things we discoverabout the universe. But the truth is, we actually know rather little. What isthe universe made out of? We don't know. Where did it come from? We don't know.Is there life in space? We don't know. What happens if you fall into a blackhole? We don't know (but it's not nice). I will talk about a number of unsolvedastronomical mysteries, big and small, but I can't promise you any answers! Perhapsa more refined form of ignorance is the best we can hope for...

Paul Francis isan Astrophysicist at Mt Stromlo Observatory, which is part of the AustralianNational University. He is currently trying to find out why comet tails don'tpoint the way they are supposed to, and where giant space blobs come from. Healso teaches Physics to 1st year undergraduates at the ANU, and spends a lot ofhis time experimenting with new teaching methods such as webcasts and clickers.

He grew up inLondon, studied at Cambridge, and has worked at Steward Observatory, NASA andMelbourne Uni before moving to the ANU in 1997. He was won many prizes forteaching and public outreach.

 
 


Professor Grahame Webb

Wildlife Management International
 
Professor Grahame Webb began researching reptiles in the late 1960s, and since the 1970s has been actively involved in the conservation and management of wildlife resources. He is regarded by many as one of the world's leading authorities on crocodilian research and management, and on the concept of conserving wildlife through sustainable use programs. For his contribution to a new vision for wildlife conservation based on sustainable use he was awarded the prestigious Clunies Ross National Science and Technology Award in 2001. In 2003 he was awarded an Australian Centenary Medal, for his contribution to crocodile research and to the establishment of The Essington School in Darwin.

     

 

Jane Nickless

Senior Technician, CLEAPSS, UK (Lab Tech Keynote)
 

Jane Nickless is a Senior Technician at CLEAPSS in the UK. CLEAPSS is an national UK advisory service providing support in science and technology for a consortium of local authorities and their schools. Their services include health and safety, risk assessment, sources and uses of chemicals and living organisms and equipment. CLEAPSS also provides advice on laboratory technicians and their jobs as well as the design of laboratories and facilities for science learning areas.

 

Workshops

For full list of workshops download the workshop program PDF below. For detailed descriptions of each workshop please download the PDFs below for each day of workshops at CONASTA 60.

Excursions

Please note that excursions run against workshop sessions D and E. You are not able to attend the workshops in these sessions if attending an excursion. As excursions are all running parallel you can not attend more than one.
 
Excursion costs are for transport costs and entrance fees. 
 

Darwin Mangroves and Waterways Excursion  

Date/Time: Tuesday 12th July, 2pm - 3.30pm

Description: This tour will be picked up by boat from the beach at Darwin High School. Visit mangrove waterways in the middle of Darwin City. 

Please note there are limited numbers for this excursion and this is at an extra cost.

 
Cost: $35  limit - 27   


Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory behind the scenes and snake identification Excursion 

Date/Time: Tuesday 12th July, 1pm - 4pm

Description: Have a guided behind the scenes tour of the Museum and also learn about snake identification.

 
Cost: Nil (but must be selected when registering as participant limit applies)  limit - 30

 
Crocodylus Park Excursion 

Date/Time: Tuesday 12th July, 1pm - 4pm

Description: 

Join a Crocodylus Park Private tour with a senior tour guide. Includes visiting the Museum, crocodile feeding and crocodile holding. 

Also includes a scientific talk by Crocodylus Park Chief Scientist Charlie Manolis.

 
Cost: $35  limit - 50

Indigenous Art Galleries Excursion 

Date/Time: Tuesday 12th July, 2pm - 4pm

Description: 

Visit a select number of local Darwin galleries that specialize in Indigenous art and artifacts. Learn more about the science of colours used by Indigenous artists, both past and present.

 

 
Cost: $15 (bus)  limit - 20

 
 
We will also be offering 2 Post Conference Tours. Please scroll down to see the details under the 'Social' header. 

Social

Welcome Function 

Date/Time: Sunday 10 July 2011, 5pm
 
Description: CONASTA 60 will start with the Welcome Function on Sunday. The registration desk will be open from 3:30pm at Darwin High School. After a short welcome at the school, delegates will move down to the function area at Mindil Beach for a drink and social catchup. Delegates will then be given some 'Mindil Money' to use on food at the Mindil Beach Markets a popular tourist attraction. Delegates can then settle down to see another great tourist attraction, the sun setting over Mindil Beach. 
 
Cost: The Welcome function is included as part of registration - however you must indicate when registering if you are attending this function

Science Breakfast at Crocosaurus Cove 

Date/Time: Tuesday 12 July 2011, 7am
 
Description: This year the CONASTA breakfast will be held at Crocosaurus Cove. Delegates will meet at the venue at 7am for a full sit down breakfast while listening to the resident reptile expert and viewing baby crocs in the enclosures surrounding the breakfast. Delegates will be given the opportunity for a quick look around Crocosaurus Cove before being bussed to Darwin High in time for Tuesday's first Keynote. For more information on Crocosaurus Cove visit http://www.crocosauruscove.com/home
 
Cost: $50pp (Guests may also register for the Science Breakfast)

Cost Breakdown: Discounted entry to Crocosaurus Cove $20 (Normally $28) With the opportunity to return on the same ticket for a longer look in your own time during CONASTA. Table Top Buffet Breakfast $25, Bus connection to CONASTA $5


Conference Dinner 

Date/Time: Tuesday 12 July 2011, 7pm
 
Description: Darwin's unique July weather will give CONASTA delegates a truly different Conference Dinner Experience. Join us for dinner under the stars on the lawns of Darwin's Sky City Casino. Dress up and bring your dancing shoes. The CONASTA conference dinner is always a great night!
 
Cost: $120pp - (Guests may also register for the Conference Dinner)

Happy Hours 

Date/Time: End of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
 
Description: Happy Hours will be held at the end of each day of CONASTA for Delegates to wind down and share what they have learnt in a great social atmosphere. 
 
Cost: Happy Hours are included in Delegate registration

 

Post Conference Tour 1: 3 Day Kakadu Camping Safari 

Date/Time: Thursday 14 July 2011, 8am - Saturday 16 July 2011, 6:30pm
 
Description: Over the three days you will travel into World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park and marvel at the ever-changing Top End scenery! Enjoy a crocodile spotting cruise, inspect the massive cathedral termite mounds, view ancient aboriginal rock art and explore sandstone country.
 
Click below to download a PDF with further information about this tour.  
 
Cost: $590 per person twin share (Guests may also register for the Post Conference Tours)
 
Please note: This tour has very limited spaces. Book early to avoid missing out. If a minimum of 17 participants have not booked by Friday 29 April 2011, this tour will be cancelled and all monies refunded.

Post Conference Tour 2: 2 Day Katherine and Litchfield Camping Safari 

Date/Time: Thursday 14 July 2011, 8am - Friday 15 July 2011
 
Description: Over the two day tour you will swim at Edith Falls and enjoy such sites as the famous Katherine Gorge cruise, Litchfield National Park and Florence Fall a picturesque double waterfall surrounded by lush rainforest. 
 
Click below to download a PDF with further information about this tour. 
 
Cost: $395 per person twin share (Guests may also register for the Post Conference Tours)
 
Please note: This tour has very limited spaces. Book early to avoid missing out.  If a minimum of 17 participants have note booked by Friday 29 April 2011, this tour will be cancelled and all monies refunded. 
 

CONASTA 60 T-shirts

CONASTA 60 T-shirts are available to Delegates for an additional $30 on registration. They are available in Female and Male fitting in sizes 8-20 (F) and XS - 5XL (M). They are a Khaki coloured cooldry classic polo, perfect for the NT climate. The cooldry fabric has had a deodorised treatment, has anti-bactiarial protection, a UPF rating, is breathable, quickdry and is easy care / iron free! Each shirt has a small embroidered CONASTA 60 logo on the front and are plain on the back.
 
Due to ordering timelines the cut of for T-shirt orders is 12-06-2011. 
 
Please use the tables below as a guideline to sizes.
 
 

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