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CREST is a programme for schools run by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation that aims to promote Creativity. By adding creativity to our science lessons we can move past boiling water and encourage students towards serious scientific and technological discovery.

From Richard Byrne's "android4schools" site. A free Android app that is designed to help younger students learn how the human body works. The app features eight sections: circulation, muscles, the senses, kidneys & urine, skeleton, respiration, digestion, and brain & nerves. Each section contains short animated videos that explain the functions of each system and how it works.

TAFE Courses - North Coast TAFE offers a range of distance courses, online courses, aboriginal programs, green skills courses, courses for school students and international programs. Search the course of your choice at http://northcoast.tafensw.edu.au

Finland recently made the news for its decision to shift away from a focus on handwriting. Beginning in 2016 students will not be required to learn cursive handwriting and instead will be taught typing skills. But what is lost in a move away from handwriting and should schools teach typing skills?

Schools like any large organisation by and large run on meetings. Recently we have implemented two very different styles of meeting that target different needs and have allowed us to be effective, reflective and creative.

On Saturday I had the opportunity to join a group of very enthusiastic teachers to hear Alan November and Carl Jarvis speak at North Turramurra Primary School. That so many educators from across Sydney were keen to give up a Saturday is a testament to their desire to improve their teaching but also a measure of the respect these speakers garner.

There is a change taking place in how schools approach ICT, one that has been coming for some time but is at the point of moving into the mainstream. A subtle but powerful shift that sees ICT build connections with the Maker Movement as a tool for solving what Bronwyn Moreton speaking at the ICT Educators of NSW conference describes as the 'I wish it would .. .moment.

I would like to propose that one cause of curriculum overcrowding is a phenomenon I refer to as "Idea Creep".