Anne Forbes
Anne provides training, strategic advice and support for teachers, students and mentors. She is also researching the educational impact of MyScience on participants.
Anne has an educational background in the sciences. She spent 15 years as a primary school teacher in the United States and Australia and is now a lecturer in primary science education at the Australian Catholic University.
Anne has been involved with the Science Teachers Association of NSW (STANSW) since 1999 as a Councillor and Primary Network Coordinator and has also been the convenor of the primary years component of various STANSW Conferences. She has regularly judged the primary Young Scientist entries, and has been the STANSW representative for many Australian Science Teachers’ Association initiatives including reviewing websites and teacher resources. Anne has authored many educational and teaching resources, presented numerous workshops on practical teaching strategies, and the use of ICT to enhance science learning.
In 2000 Anne was awarded the NSW Outstanding Streamwatch Educator award for K-12 teaching, in 2003 the National BHP Billiton Award for Primary Science Teaching and in 2006 a NSW Professional Teachers Council Award for Outstanding Professional Service. She is a Representative of the Professional Teachers Council on the NSW Board of Studies K-6 Science and Technology Curriculum Committee.
Gerry McCloughan
Gerry is a School Development Officer in the Western Sydney Region of the NSW Department of Education and Training. He works with Principals and school staff to improve the quality of student learning outcomes and ensure the implementation of state-wide priorities and policies. He provides leadership, guidance and support in the implementation of effective school development and accountability processes including self-evaluation, planning and reporting.
From 1996-2005, Gerry was Senior Curriculum Adviser, Science, in the Department’s Curriculum Directorate. In that role, Gerry had extensive experience in supporting science curriculum, K-12, and in that time work with schools and teachers across all regions of the state. He has expertise in incorporating into Science programs the cross-curriculum aspects of literacy, numeracy, assessment, ICT and equity.
Prior to his work in state office, Gerry was a Science head teacher (7 years) and science teacher (12 years) in three Greater Western Sydney secondary schools.
Gerry is a strong supporter of professional science teacher associations. He has been a long serving member of the Council of the Science Teachers’ Association of NSW (STANSW). In 1998 he was presented with a STANSW Distinguish Service Award and in 2003 was awarded an Outstanding Professional Service Award by the Professional Teachers Council NSW for contributions to branch and state science teacher associations. He is currently a member of the STANSW Young Scientist coordination committee.
Gerry is passionate about improving students’ understanding of the importance of science to society and has worked on a number of initiatives to assist students to engage and achieve highly in science. Much of Gerry’s time and expertise as a member of the project team to establish and maintain MyScience has been on a volunteer basis.
