Are you a secondary teacher in Victoria who is teaching Years 7 or 8 Science? Perhaps science isn’t your specialist area? Or chemistry is not your teaching method?  If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to at least two of these questions, you may be interested in participating in our professional learning (PL) program. 

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This hybrid PL is designed for out-of-field teachers' unique contexts, with semester-long engagement, online and in-person opportunities, high levels of small-group support, and customisation to your specific needs. It will be held throughout semester 2, 2026 over 18 weeks with a time commitment of 15 hours. We will build teachers’ chemistry knowledge, confidence, and capacity to teach chemistry at Years 7-8 through high-quality practical laboratory activities.  

The program consists of: 

• learning modules about the "big ideas" of chemistry, that are tailored to you, are self-paced, online and interactive. We'll focus on chemistry knowledge and teaching practice aligned with Victorian Curriculum 2.0. (4 modules, 2 hours / module) 

• laboratory workshops to strengthen the way you will teach chemistry through practical activities. The workshops will boost your lab safety and help you master the subject-specific chemical terminology. You'll do these alongside our presenters through live-streaming into your school, so you can see how the practical activities will work in your own classroom - the workshops are also available at the University of Melbourne’s labs. (3 workshops, 90 minutes / workshop) 

• online coaching sessions led by expert chemistry teachers to build your confidence and capacity to teach chemistry through practical activities in your school context. (up to 4 sessions, 30-60 minutes / session) 

 

Teachers from all school sectors from all geographic areas across Victoria are welcome to apply. However, priority will be given to teachers in public rural and regional schools, particularly those with low SES. We are currently taking expressions of interest and we will contact you before the end of Term 2 if you are selected for the program. 

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The program cost is $440 (Government Schools) / $550 (Non-government Schools). 

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We are grateful for funding from the Telematics Trust, and Victorian Department of Education and our collaborations with Deakin University, Monash University and the University of Melbourne that allowed us to develop the program.