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June Newsletter
June 2025
Dear colleagues,
Welcome to our June newsletter! This month brings our premier event—the 2025 DATTA Qld State Conference on June 19–20, featuring presentations, workshops, and networking. Don’t forget the Conference Dinner at The Ship Inn, Southbank (Thursday 6pm) where we’ll announce the DATTA QLD Teacher Awards.
Discover the latest opportunities and achievements from across our educational community below.
In this edition:
- 2025 DATTA Queensland State Conference
- PD – UQ Schools Net – Future Ready with AI
- PD – Makers Empire
- Design Teachers QLD website – designteachersqld.org
- Department of Education – Virtual Academy
- EOI for Critical Friends – Department of Education
- Podcast #80 – 2025 DATTA QLD Conference Series
- Member Spotlight – Toni Smith
- Stay up to date and follow our socials!
- Useful links
- Upcoming events and important dates
- Reminders
- Newsletter articles
With best wishes,
Carol-Anne Durkin
President – Design And Technology Teachers’ Association QLD
2025 DATTA Queensland State Conference
Conference Registration and Attendance
The DATTA Qld State Conference is approaching fast! If you have not booked your tickets for yourself and your department, get in now!
Two days packed with relevant information, industry links, demonstrations and networking!
Thursday 19th June – Friday 20th June.
As well as attending an array of presentations, workshops and tours that could help you with implementing curriculum across subjects and year levels, it is a great opportunity to socialise, speak with companies who may have resources and equipment that you can use at your school, Pick up samples, make new contacts and learn new skills, as well as presentations that could help with subject delivery across subjects and year levels.
Don’t forget to register for the Conference Dinner too! Thursday 19th June –at 6pm at The Ship Inn, Southbank – a great night out, good food and company, located at South Bank. The dinner registration includes a three-course meal and drinks, for the heavily subsidised price of $55. This represents great value for money, especially for those of staying overnight in Brisbane to attend the conference.
Don’t forget the winners of the DATTA QLD Teacher Awards will be announced at the Conference Dinner.
Tickets to the Conference and Dinner can be purchased here.
Pre-conference workshop
Augmented Reality Workshop
Get hands on with the art of Augmented Reality (AR) using just a mobile device at The Edge. AR is a fun and engaging activity for all ages, superimposing digital designs through mobile devices onto different surfaces.
During this session you will learn how use this technology to add interactivity and innovation to artwork and designs or bring a 3D model into the real-world using Adobe Aero with an iPad. Participants need to bring a mobile device and will receive resources to use in their classroom.
Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
When: Wednesday 18 June 2025
Where: Digital Media Lab at The Edge, State Library of Queensland
Address: 31 Cultural Centre Tunnel, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Tickets: $33 incl GST (can be purchased during conference registration)
Wednesday Dinner Deal – Wednesday 18th June
Before the pre-conference workshop, all are welcome to kick on to The Plough Inn who have their regular Wednesday – Locals Day dinner deal.
Choose from a classic Parmi, tender Steak, or flavourful Burrito Bowl, and pair it with a 250ml house wine, a pint of house beer, or cider for only $25!
Address: 29 Stanley St Plaza, South Bank
To view further Wednesday night dinner deals, visits EatDrinkCheap Brisbane.
PD Opportunities – UQ Schools Net - Future Ready with AI
Dear DATTA Queensland Members,
Your school staff and teachers are invited to gain hands-on experience with practical AI tools and insights designed for educators.
This one day event will focus on empowering educators with practical AI knowledge and tools. It breaks down AI fundamentals, helping participants understand what AI is and how large language models (LLMs) work. Participants will engage in a hands-on session on using AI as a personal assistant for classroom planning and administrative tasks, as well as an interactive workshop on integrating AI into content-based learning and developing students’ problem-solving and logical reasoning in the classroom.
See the highlights below, or the full schedule on our website.
Register Now!
UQ Future Ready with AI PD 2025 early bird registrations now open
PD Opportunities – Makers Empire
Advanced Manufacturing Future Skills Program
An exciting professional development opportunity available in a number of regions, with the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development. The program is aimed at secondary school teachers, with some resources for students too.
Teachers get PD, tools and resources, and support from a learning team, while students get to participate in a STEM and technology project, so for executive leaders at school, it is a great project to build on-site capacity and connect with industry.
Overview
Teachers will attend 2 x PD/industry immersion days including an industry site visit which will cover the manufacturing industry in their region, pd on design-thinking, hands-on 3D printer training and Makers Empire 3D design software.
Teachers then work with students on a project aimed at either Years 7-9 and/or Years 10-12 to solve a manufacturing-related problem. Year 10-12 students will do a pitch, like in Shark Tank.
At the end of the project, teachers and students attend a half-day showcase to present to guest judges and industry.
Schools also receive a 3D printer to keep, Makers Empire 3D design software for 3 years, support from Makers Empire learning team and the opportunity to work with their local Qld Manufacturing Hub and/or industry partners.
Schools will need to budget for:
- local travel and teacher relief days for the 2 x PD/industry days; and
- local travel and teacher relief day for teacher and some students to attend showcase day.
You can see an article on last year’s program on the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and Moreton Bay. The program has been running since 2021:
Schools can register and apply here now:
- Cairns region (pd scheduled start of Term 3, student project Term 3-4)
- Logan/Beenleigh region (pd scheduled middle of Term 2,student project Term 3-4)
- Toowoomba region (pd scheduled middle of Term 2,student project Term 3-4)
- Sunshine Coast region (pd scheduled middle of Term 2, student project Term 3-4)
Design Teachers QLD Website - designteachersqld.org
The website provides a secure platform for teachers of General Design to collaborate. It doesn’t matter if you’re an Industrial Design and Technology teacher, Food and Textiles Design and Technology teacher, Art teacher, or any other teacher out of field. If you are teaching or planning to teach General Design, log on, create an account and collaborate with your peers.
Department of Education - Virtual Academy
The Queensland Virtual Academy (QVA) is a Department of Education state-wide, cohesive approach to increasing equity in student access to curriculum pathways, learning opportunities, and teaching expertise.
The on-demand learning materials are a suite of resources accessible by schools, staff and students (under teacher direction as part of the school’s learning program) anywhere, anytime.
The materials are aligned to the Australian Curriculum and enable out-of-field and early career teachers to build their knowledge and capability to deliver curriculum content with confidence.
The QVA provides an online community and individual support to help teachers build their knowledge and capability.
The 4 services provided by the QVA are:
- Live online lessons: virtual learning is delivered to students in difficult-to-staff learning areas or subjects by a QVA partner school teacher to students in another school.
- On-demand learning materials: the QVA provides access to learning materials that assist teachers to more confidently deliver the curriculum.
- Schools teaching to other schools: through school-initiated partnerships, schools work together to deliver curriculum and learning opportunities.
- Targeted and specialist virtual programs: these programs enrich curriculum for targeted students and support schools to further personalise student learning.
The On-demand learning materials service will provide out-of-field or inexperienced teachers with curated resources that enable them to more confidently deliver the curriculum.
In 2025, On-demand learning materials are being developed for P-6 Technologies and 7–10 Design & Technologies (all four contexts).
EOI for Critical Friends – Department of Education
We are seeking expressions of interests for Critical Friends to provide feedback on the development of these learning materials, assessment tasks and unit plans.
Commitment and role:
- Commitment – provide feedback via email and surveys on QVA On-demand learning materials and curriculum documents.
- Role – offering feedback and suggestions based on expertise to help the QVA refine and enhance educational resources, ultimately supporting teachers who may be new to the field or teaching outside their primary subject area.
Please contact Ryan Bishop via email or phone with any questions about this opportunity.
Ryan Bishop
Education Officer — Digital and Virtual Learning
School and Student Support
Department of Education
M: 0493525163
E: ryan.bishop@qed.qld.gov.au
Podcast #80 – 2025 DATTA QLD Conference Series
In Podcast 80, Stephen continues the 2025 DATTA QLD Conference Series, building excitement for the big event on June 19–20 at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
From Stephen:
We’re getting ever closer to the 2025 DATTA QLD Conference at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, and today’s episode features two more incredible voices from this year’s lineup.
First, we’ll hear from Michael Mikhail, who’s revolutionising the classroom with a compact fibre laser cutter and advanced SolidWorks workflows. If you’re keen to bridge the gap between education and modern manufacturing, Michael’s session is a must-see.
Then we’ll speak with Jacqueline Niblett from the University of Queensland. Jackie is taking over Room B3 on Thursday with interactive workshops on customer journeys and creative thinking—spoiler alert: “bad ideas” are about to get very good.
Whether you’re in education, industry, or just passionate about creativity and innovation, this episode is packed with insight. Let’s dive in.
Member spotlight - Toni Smith
Toni Smith is a passionate educator at St Stephen’s Catholic College, Mareeba, bringing innovation and enthusiasm to the classroom. With extensive teaching experience and two years as a DATTA Qld committee member, Toni serves as Committee Member for Teaching & Learning and Professional Development. Her commitment to fostering creativity and critical thinking in students is evident in her educational approach.
Toni’s enthusiasm for design, technology, and engineering has led to notable achievements and a deep understanding of effective teaching practices. Her involvement with DATTA Qld reflects her dedication to professional development and collaboration within the field.
Socials!
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Useful links
Upcoming Events and Important dates for 2025
Pre-Conference Workshop – Wednesday 18 June
DATTA Qld 2025 Conference – Thursday 19 – Friday 20 June 2025. Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Conference Dinner – Thursday 19 June
Winner of Design Teacher of the Year announced – Conference Dinner, Thursday 19 June
- Design and Technology Week 13–19 October 2025
Membership renewal reminders
Membership! – Check your membership details for DATTA Qld. School membership and/or personal membership! Remember that there are benefits to members throughout the year and you are supporting our professional association with your membership fees. Talk to others about their membership – who can you remind or encourage to renew or begin their membership in 2025?
Contribute to our monthly newsletter
We encourage our members to contribute to our monthly newsletter! Please contact us if you have any articles or information that you think could be included in future newsletters.
Email on: socials@dattaqld.org.au