Bits & Bags

Student Voice initiative: The 2010 federal election as voted for by under-18s
Google is inviting all 15-17 year old school students across Australia to have their say in a simulated federal election with the aim of creating a unique portrait of political feeling among Australia's young people. Google, 28 July 2010.

Census At School 2010: A snapshot of Australian students
The results from Census At School provide a snapshot of Australian students in 2010. Over 22,000 students from Years four to 12 voluntarily submitted their data, with the aim to spark students' interest in statistics and to improve their statistical literacy.

Super-powered literacy: The benefits of comics in the classroom
Comic books and graphic novels may hold the key to promoting prose literacy in young boys, who have traditionally lagged behind girls in reading, according to Canadian research. Canadian Council on Learning, 21 July 2010.

iPad trial to help students keep learning in hospital
Students battling illness will soon be using iPads as part of an Australian-first trial of the technology at the Royal Children's Hospital Education Institute and seven Victorian Government schools. Victorian Minister for Education, 22 July 2010.

2010 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes: Voting open
Voting is now open for the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes 2010. Presented annually by the Australian Museum, the prizes reward excellence in the fields of research & innovation, science leadership, school science and science journalism & communication. Australian Museum, July 2010.

Child fights a learning experience
Parents who stop their children arguing may in fact deprive them of important learning experiences, child development researchers say. The Age, 22 July 2010.

Children's Book Council of Australia: Storybridge competition
In response to the large numbers of teacher librarians creating story bridges in their libraries, the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) have set up a competition to showcase all the creative and inspiring bridges across Australia based on the 2010 book week theme. Entries close 2 August 2010. CBCA, July 2010.

Get the net out of kids' rooms
Parents should ban internet connections from children's bedrooms, experts say, after research shows students are neglecting their studies to spend time on social networking sites. Herald Sun, 19 July 2010.

Computer system gives ears to those who cannot hear
A system that allows deaf students to fully take part in mainstream education is being trialled in a Sydney school. Sydney Morning Herald, 19 July 2010.

2010 Prime Minister's Literary Awards shortlists announced
The four shortlists for the 2010 Prime Minister's Literary Awards, including the inaugural Young Adult Fiction and Children's Fiction awards, have been announced. Minister for the Arts, 15 July 2010.