What is SPECTRA?
SPECTRA, or Science Program Exciting Children Through Research Activities, is a national science award program developed and administered by ASTA for students between Years 1 and 10.
SPECTRA can be used:
- as a class activity;
- to extend capable students;
- to encourage and inspire students that find science a challenge;
- in school science clubs;
- in homeschooling and by community groups (e.g. scouts).
There are two levels in the program: SPECTRA and Junior SPECTRA. Each level has a range of science topic cards where students complete activities related to their chosen topic. The students carry out a range of practical and observational activities, research, experiments and projects. When the required number of activities has been completed to the satisfaction of the teacher/parent, the student is awarded a certificate. The cards are provided in full colour with engaging images. Junior SPECTRA has Spike the Echidna on every card.
From 2022 the SPECTRA program is going green and we will no longer be providing printed cards, certificates or badges. All SPECTRA cards will need to be purchased and downloaded off this site. Please disregard some of the instructions in the cards.
Please note that all SPECTRA cards will be progressively updated with new content to align with the revised Australian curriculum. Please keep an eye out for new material.
SPECTRA
SPECTRA is aimed at, but not restricted to, Years 5-10.
It is illegal to copy and share SPECTRA cards. Each SPECTRA card is for use by an individual student.
You must purchase the necessary number of cards if you are planning to use the cards for more than
one student. Thank you for your honesty.
Junior SPECTRA
Junior SPECTRA is aimed at, but not restricted to, Years 1-4.
Our Partners
The Australian Science Teachers Association acknowledges the First Nations peoples of Australia as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.