Day 1 – Mon 21 Sep 2026

8:00

Registration. Tea and Coffee available.

Everyone must sign in and wear their lanyard at all times.

Samaritan Place

8:40

Conference Welcome and Housekeeping

Theatre

8:50

Keynote – Sarah Chapman

Rethinking STEM Engagement Methods for Students from Underrepresented Groups, particularly Girls.

Sarah Chapman is a secondary science educator who has taken two years away from teaching to volunteer her time to change the narrative for rural and regional girls who are still missing out on meaningful pathways into STEM, struggling to find opportunities in STEM fields just as Sarah did 30 years ago. Through the Townsville STEM Hub, Sarah has engaged over 10,000 young people, teachers, and community members. Armed with global best practice in engaging underrepresented youth, Sarah has now established STEM Changemakers, a program empowering regional girls through authentic, place-based STEM experiences that build skills, confidence, and belief in their futures.

Bio: Sarah Chapman is the Founder of STEM Changemakers, a program focused on empowering underrepresented regional Australian girls in STEM. She has over twenty years’ experience as a secondary science educator and Science Head of Department. Sarah is also the Founder of the Townsville STEM Hub, a volunteer community organisation that has engaged over 10,000 people in a range of student, teacher and community events. Sarah Chapman is Co-Chair of Women in STEMM Australia and a Board Member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. She is passionate about inspiring, engaging and empowering people through STEM. Sarah commits extensive portions of her own time lifting the profile of STEM education, by working with students, teachers and the broader community.

Theatre

9:40

Keynote – Rachel Purdy – Think U Know

The ACCCE and the role of education staff in the prevention of online child sexual exploitation

Attendees will gain an understanding of the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) and its role in the national response to online child sexual exploitation, with a focus on the emerging trend of Sadistic Online Exploitation (SOE). The session will explore victim and offender profiles, highlight preventative approaches through education, and emphasise the critical role of school staff. Connections will be made to the Australian Curriculum, demonstrating how explicit teaching can help prevent harm and abuse. The workshop will also introduce specialised resources designed to address SOE and discuss the importance of strong school support systems, along with available support services for students and staff.

Bio: Rachel Purdy is a Senior Prevention Officer within the Australian Federal Police’s Online Child Safety team. With a background in early childhood and primary education, she works alongside other subject matter experts to develop education materials for children, parents, carers and teachers with the aim to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

Theatre

10:30 – 11:00

Morning Tea & Trade Show

Make sure you visit the exhibitors and talk to someone to discover their products and resources.  Record who you spoke to and get your passport stamped for the prize draw at the end of Tuesday.

Samaritan Place and K-01/K02

11:00

Reef Guardian School Program

This presentation will provide an overview of the Reef Guardian School Program with focus on digital curriculum resources such as Ozobot coding, annual STEM eco challenges, gamification unit and future careers unit. It also offers virtual learning education in which we bring the reef to your classroom via online and interactive presentations.

Presenters: Liz Hickman and Craig McGrogan (GBRMPA)

Participants requirements: Possible phone for QR code.

Bio: Liz Hickman leads education initiatives at the Reef Authority, the Australian Government agency responsible for managing and protecting the Great Barrier Reef. As Assistant Director, she oversees the Reef Guardian School Program, which connects schools to reef education through an online portal www.reefed.edu.au and virtual learning.

Room : Theatre

12:00

Micro:bit Data Discovery Years 3-6

Presenter: Jeffrey Keck (Modern Teaching Aids)

This hands-on workshop takes science teaching to the next level by putting real-world data collection right into students’ hands. Using Micro:bits, participants will explore 10 engaging science stations covering physics, biology, chemistry, and environmental science — from measuring light levels and tracking heart rates to detecting magnetic fields and monitoring soil moisture. Teachers will learn how to integrate Micro:bit sensors into experiments, collect and graph data, and design inquiry-based investigations that spark curiosity. By the end of the session, they’ll walk away with ready-to-use activities, code snippets, and practical tips to transform any science lesson into a mini research lab powered by Micro:bits.

Bio: Jeffrey is an experienced teacher with a passion for engaging students in science. He has worked at Modern Teaching Aids for the past year and loves to share his experience and knowledge with teachers and schools.

Jeffrey is connected with multiple teaching and lab tech networks and is always striving to find ways to help schools improve student engagement and learning outcomes. He is passionate about students having authentic and real-life learning opportunities in science and has run his workshops at local state and national conference and professional learning days.

Room: K-12 (First Floor)

12:00

Adobe Express – Safe and Ethical Gen AI for any class and level

Presenter: Dr Tim Kitchen

Adobe offers students and teachers a free and ethically safe tool for Gen AI image creation through Adobe Express because it’s modeled on a K-12 filtered version of  Adobe Stock. In this hands-on session by Dr Tim Kitchen from Adobe, he will demonstrate how simple it is to work with Adobe Express to create infographics, posters, flyers, videos, animations and webpages with the help of the uniquely ethically safe Gen AI and K-12 friendly version of Adobe Firefly that is available thorough Adobe Express. Being browser & mobile-app based, Adobe Express is accessible to all and it is very simple to use. Adobe Express is one of the only Gen AI solutions that is registered with the Safer Technologies for School program (ST4S) managed by Education Services Australia. Participating in this workshop will also provide teachers wit the Adobe Creative Educator (ACE) level 1 micro-credential.

Participants requirements: Laptop connected to wifi

Bio: An educator for over 30 years, Dr Tim Kitchen has been Adobe’s Senior Education Specialist for Asia Pacific since 2013. A passionate advocate for creativity in education, Tim is a best-selling author and a regular presenter for national and international education events.

Room:I02 (Ground floor)

12:00

Level Up Learning: Starting and Sustaining an Esports Club 

Presenters: M J Raatz, Janette Rutherford & Harley Foley

This session explores how to establish an Esports Club in your school, from the practical steps of getting one up and running to integrating esports into the curriculum. We will unpack the educational benefits of esports—teamwork, communication, strategic thinking, digital literacy, and wellbeing—and show how clubs can foster belonging and engagement for students. Participants will gain ideas, resources, and curriculum links to support the successful launch and growth of an Esports Club in their own context.

Participant requirements: Bring your own laptop so that you can download/share resources throughout the session.

Bio: M J Raatz is an innovative educator and lifelong learner dedicated to #MakingKidsLivesBetter. Passionate about creating engaging curriculum, leading digital transformation, and fostering student wellbeing. Author, BBQ enthusiast, and 3D printing creator, blending creativity and technology to inspire students, families, and communities to live their best life and embrace future opportunities.

Bio: Janette has a strong interest in digital technologies and engaging students with learning through using digital innovation. Janette has used esports as a tool to promote teamwork, strategy, communication, and resilience. Through esports program that are run at her school, Janette provides students with opportunities to explore careers in gaming, media, and IT while also developing digital literacy and social skills.

Bio: Harley Foley is a Digital Technologies Curriculum Leader with 20 years of teaching experience across North Queensland. He is passionate about student engagement and building future-ready learning environments.

Room: I-11 (First Floor)

1:00 – 1:40

Lunch & Trade Show

Make sure you visit and chat with exhibitors to discover their products and resources.

Record who you talk to and get your passport signed off for the prize draw at the end of Tuesday.

Samaritan Place and K-01/K02

1:45

CreativITy with Canva: Spark Curiosity, Ignite Creativity

Presenter: Tamara Templeton

Unleash creativity and boost literacy in your classroom with Canva! This session will explore dynamic ways to leverage Canva’s intuitive design tools, including its powerful AI features, to create engaging learning experiences. Discover how visual storytelling and creative design can excite students about literacy, transforming their understanding and expression.
We’ll delve into practical strategies for developing impactful projects, from digital narratives to interactive presentations, that foster deeper engagement. Plus, get ready to level up your classroom with a sneak peek at the latest Canva updates, designed to streamline your workflow and unlock even more possibilities for innovative teaching and learning.

Participants requirements: To make the most out of this workshop, make sure you get verified as an educator! https://www.canva.com/education/
Note – participation is still possible without verification

Bio: Tamara is an innovative educator currently serving as a Digital Technologies teacher, Early Career Teacher mentor, and Digital Learning Mentor at St Anthony’s Catholic College in Deeragun, Townsville. As a recognised Lead Teacher, Tamara demonstrates exemplary pedagogical practices and provides instructional leadership within her educational community and the wider region. As a Google Certified Trainer and Canva Canvassador, she’s passionate about leveraging technology to enhance teaching and learning, empowering educators in their digital literacy journey. Tamara actively advocates for the integration of technology in education by providing impactful professional development to teachers in North Queensland and around Australia.

Room: K12 (First Floor)

1:45

P-6 V9 Curriculum planning

Presenter: Helena Tully

This workshop will be a guided workshop through the initial planning through to unit writing and assessment in the P- 6 curriculum. It is ideal for teachers who may not know where to begin and who would like to view curriculum that is currently being taught.

Participant requirements: Laptop and writing materials 

Bio: Helena is currently an enthusiastic teacher of technologies at Mundingburra State School. She was a member of the QCAA curriculum review in Digital Technologies. Helena has also worked with ACARA, presented at EDUtech, QSITE and is a DT Hub Champion. 

Room: I-02 (Ground Floor)

1:45

Decoding Generative AI: How It Works and What It Teaches Us About Learning

Presenter: Karsten Schulz (Digital Technologies Institute)

Generative AI (GenAI) is a groundbreaking technology that enables computers to create original content like text and images by learning from patterns in existing data. This isn’t just about machines being creative—it also reveals parallels to human cognition, offering insights into how we think and learn. By exploring how GenAI works, students and educators can appreciate the creative potential of AI while better understanding its biological implications.
At the core of GenAI are artificial neurons, which process information and make decisions. Studying this process sheds light on data privacy risks and biases embedded in AI systems.
Understanding how data is used and the consequences of unexamined inputs prepares students to use AI responsibly and critically evaluate its outputs.
GenAI has transformative applications, from creating digital content to automating tasks. In education, it becomes a powerful tool for personalising learning and fostering problem-solving. Real-world examples and interactive activities can make learning about GenAI engaging and accessible, inspiring curiosity about its broader societal impact.
Through this talk, we’ll explore how GenAI reshapes creativity, education, and ethics, equipping students and educators to navigate a future increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Bio: Karsten Schulz is an engineer, scientist, and educator. He holds a PhD in Computer Science and a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Software Engineering. In 2010, Karsten created the Young ICT Explorers Competition and, in 2014, he founded the Bebras Australia Computational Thinking Challenge, which is part of the International Bebras Challenge.
Karsten has been working in the Australian ICT and Digital Technologies space since 1999 in an international R&D leadership position. He has designed various DT courses, a computer processor, and builds artificial neural networks.

Room: I-11 (First Floor)

2:45

Immersive Learning in Action: VR with AI for Future Focused Classrooms

Presenter: Adrian Rayner and Deni Rayner (Rayner Digital Labs)

Step into the classroom of tomorrow with this interactive presentation showcasing how virtual reality and artificial intelligence are transforming education today. Designed for teachers, school leaders, and heads of department, this session explores practical applications of immersive technology across curriculum areas, demonstrating how students can engage with content in deeply visual, hands-on ways.
Presented by Rayner Digital Labs, the session features a live on-stage demonstration of a VR learning experience. Participants will witness firsthand what students can achieve, whether it’s flying a drone, walking through historical reconstructions, science experiments, or launching a sub-orbital rocket. These immersive apps foster greater engagement, deeper understanding, and long-term knowledge retention.
You’ll also be introduced to AI-powered virtual tutors that support differentiated learning. These intelligent assistants provide real-time feedback, adaptive questioning, and personalised guidance within VR environments, ensuring no learner is left behind.
Whether you’re exploring new technologies for your school or developing long-term innovation strategies, this session offers a practical and inspiring glimpse into how to supercharge student engagement. Bring your curiosity and discover what’s possible when immersion meets intelligence.

Participant requirements: N/A

Bio: Adrian Rayner is a digital innovation leader with over 15 years of experience delivering impactful technology solutions across education and industry. As co-founder of Rayner Digital Labs, he has led the development of 150+ VR learning applications and commercial games, blending creativity with technical expertise. Formerly Principal Project Officer at the Queensland Department of Education, Adrian spearheaded statewide immersive strategies and cross-sector collaborations. With qualifications in Unity, education, and management, he is known for leading high-performing teams and driving scalable, user-focused innovation. Adrian is passionate about transforming learning through emerging technologies and delivering meaningful outcomes in real-world environments.

Bio: Deni Rayner is a digital media producer, business director, and passionate advocate for women in technology. As co-director of Rayner Digital Labs, she has been instrumental in producing over 150 VR education applications and commercial games, overseeing creative direction, post-production, and client delivery. With expertise spanning sound design, video editing, and project coordination, Deni blends technical precision with operational leadership. She also serves as a Girls in Tech ambassador, mentoring young women in regional areas and championing diversity in STEM. Deni’s commitment to inclusive innovation continues to shape immersive learning experiences that empower both students and educators.

Room: K-12 (First Floor)

2:45

Embedding Digital Literacy Capabilities P-6

Presenter: Helena Tully

A how- to and realistic example of how to embed digital capabilities across P-6.

Participant requirements: Laptop

Bio: Helena is currently an enthusiastic teacher of technologies at Mundingburra State School. She was a member of the QCAA curriculum review in Digital Technologies. Helena has also worked with ACARA, presented at EDUtech, QSITE and is a DT Hub Champion. 

Room: I-02 (Ground Floor)

2:45

Advanced AI – Using ChatGPT – MyGPTs and Agent Mode

Presenter: M J Raatz

Join this fully interactive session exploring how AI can transform curriculum design and classroom practice through Curriculum GPT, Agent Mode, and Study Mode. Discover how each mode supports teachers and students—aligning learning with curriculum standards, automating documentation, and providing personalised study support. Participants will engage hands-on, experimenting with workflows that save time, boost engagement, and build consistency across teaching teams. Bring a laptop and mobile phone for maximum participation.

A ChatGPT subscription is recommended (though not essential) to unlock full functionality. Leave with practical strategies you can implement immediately to enhance teaching, learning, and wellbeing.

Participants requirements: Smartphone, Laptop, ChatGPT Subscription

Bio: M J Raatz is an innovative educator and Head of Digital Technologies, passionate about esports, 3D printing, and digital creativity. Author, lifelong learner, and community builder, committed to #MakingKidsLivesBetter by designing engaging curriculum, fostering inclusion, and preparing students for future opportunities through technology, innovation, and hands-on learning.

Room: I-11 (First Floor)

3:45

Announcement of QSITE Awards for 2026

Theatre

4:15

Conference Social Networking

Sponsored by Data#3

Hospitality Centre