WOW!!! RENMARK & GTCASA Full Day - SUPER SCIENCE SATURDAY!
Sat, 21 Mar
|St. Joseph's School Renmark
GTCASA is heading to Renmark to host a very special regional event, bringing together a stellar line-up of scientists, astronomers, coders and expert presenters for a full day of discovery, curiosity and inspiration. A day of wonder for families to come together. Register your child's ticket today!
Time & Location
21 Mar 2026, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
St. Joseph's School Renmark, 36 Twelfth St, Renmark SA 5341, Australia
Guests
About the event
GTCASA Super Science Saturday! Tickets Only $25
Hosted by:
The Gifted & Talented Children's Association of South Australia
The Day's Program
9:00
Welcome & Arrival
Sign in and orientation
Light free play / regulation space open
Gentle settling before structured activities.
9:00 – 10:45
Uncovering the Invisible: A Journey into Dark Matter
Jackie Bondell
Dark Matter Research Institute
Jackie Bondell is the Senior Education and Outreach Manager for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics and the Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery. She focuses on connecting teachers, students, and researchers, playing a pivotal role in crafting educational content for outreach programs and tailoring curricula for enhanced school engagement. At the core of Jackie's strategy is the seamless integration of innovative technology and cutting-edge scientific content into curriculum-aligned education opportunities for students and teachers. With 15 years as a Physics instructor in the US, earning multiple teaching awards, Jackie brings extensive experience to the field.
Experience a deep-dive science session sharing both scientific ideas and hands-on investigations that help participants think like researchers studying unseen phenomena. This has been one of GTCASA's most popular events.
Dark matter mystery boxes
Gravity and spacetime
3D matter models
Big questions about the universe!
Learn more about the Dark Matter Research Institute here.
Our Robotics session has 12 spaces for those keen to attend at 9am. If you would like to attend, please contact us. Your child will need a fully charged laptop/tablet with bluetooth/wifi functionality and Lego Spike software installed. A random selection of 12 kids will be made if the session is oversubscribed and an update sent out on Friday evening.
9:00 - 11:00
Robotics Coding Taster
Leading Coding Robotics Education Team
Leading Coding
Leading Coding represents a structured AI and robotics education system built on curriculum design and comprehensive teacher training, ensuring a consistent and high-quality learning experience across all programs. LEGO Robotics workshop are delivered by instructors who are trained through an internal framework and follow a uniquely designed, university-level structured curriculum.
Dive into the fun of coding with the Leading Coding Robotics Education Team.
Small rotating groups will experience hands-on robotics and basic coding concepts.
Possibly exploring coding through LEGO robotics.
*Please bring a fully charged laptop & charger.
Learn more at the Leading Coding website here.
11:00 – 12:00
Exploring the Universe from Your Backyard!
Dr Kym Thalassoudis
Stargazing SA
Dr Kym Thalassoudis served for 30 years as a Rocket Propulsion Scientist at the Defence Science & Technology Organisation (DSTO) before retiring in 2019. A prominent South Australian astronomer, his special interests include celestial cartography (star mapping), astro-imaging, and public outreach. Former President of the Astronomical Society of South Australia (ASSA), and now directing Stargazing SA, Kym is known for creating The Evening Sky Map, a monthly guide used globally to help beginners navigate the night sky.
Join Kym for an introduction to observing the night and daytime sky and the remarkable new technologies enabling anyone to explore the depths of the Universe, even from light-polluted backyards.
The session includes a demonstration of advanced telescope hardware and software.
Families can head outside in small groups to safely view the Sun in remarkable detail using Kym’s specialised solar scope.
Multiple powerful telescopes will be setup and demonstrated to view distant land based objects.
Kym will be setup all day, for families to come and go as they please.
The 11am session will be for the dedicated group presentation session.
*Please bring sunscreen, a hat and water.
Available from late morning and throughout the day as a free-build space.
MakeDo Cardboard Creations (+ Free Play)
Open creative build time using the MakeDo system, plus relaxed social play.
A natural decompression window before lunch.
12:00 – 1:00
BBQ Lunch, Parent Mingle & Parents Information Session
Information & Parents session delivered through a round table Q&A with the GTCASA Committee.
Discussing all things Gifted & Neurodivergence.
Unstructured, relationship-building time while the kids continue to eat and play nearby.
Community BBQ lunch with time to connect with:
Other Parents
Scientists and Presenters
GTCASA Committee Members
1:00 – 3:00
Silly Science with Simon
Simon Blacket
South Australia's very own YouTube sensation, the fun-scientist-in-chief behind Silly Science with Simon, where fizzing reactions, exploding experiments and big laughs collide. With a knack for turning complex science into hands-on fun, Simon gets kids thinking, questioning and shouting “whoa!” - all while learning how the world really works.
Simon grew up doing science experiments at home, in the kitchen and in the back yard. He followed this interest through school and then on to university. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from the University of Adelaide, for which he received a University Medal and the Honours Alumni University Medal. He studied Chemistry and Applied Mathematics. After university, Simon worked for the Department of Industry and Science, and currently works for the Department of Education.
Simon also co-wrote and stars in the hit stage show I WONDER - A Science Musical to Ignite Imagination, touring sold out theatre shows and schools performances in both 2024 and 2025.
We start the day with Simon's high-energy science demonstrations and hands-on experiments, exploring:
Chemistry
Matter
and Reactions
Kids can rotate through activities at their own pace.
A quiet space will remain available for anyone who needs a breather.
Check out Simon's YouTube Channel here.
3:00 – 4:00
Creative Wind-Down + Goodbyes
MakeDo Cardboard Creations (+ Free Play)
Open creative build time using the MakeDo system, plus relaxed social play and packing up.
Also, don't miss Dr Kym Thalassoudis's evening Stargazing session the night before!
Exploring the Wonders of the Universe — Regional Outreach Session
Friday 20th March 8pm - 9.30pm
Read more and book tickets here
GTCASA Super Science Saturday!
Tickets Only $25
A ticket is required for each child. 🎟️
Parents and supporting adults attend free.
A BBQ lunch will be provided for all registered guests and families.
Please provide your own snacks and water.
Parents/carers are required to remain onsite with their children
Children can move between activities outside of structured sessions
Please bring hats, water bottles, and sun protection