Conference Day 2: Tuesday 30 October 2012

• › Steve Cannane, Presenter, The Drum; Reporter, Lateline, ABC TV, ABC News 24, Australia

• What is passion? Are all passions created equal?
• Distinguishing between harmonious and obsessive passion
• How do different types of passion impact us?
• How do harmonious and obsessive passion show up in the pursuit of excellence in various fields?
• What implications does this have for teachers and parents wanting to encourage children’s passion and pursuit of excellence?

• › Prof Robert Vallerand, acclaimed psychologist and expert on motivation; President, International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA), University of Quebec, Montreal, Canada, Canada

• What have we learnt about the brain from the famous and infamous?
• The behaviours and brains behind some exceptional people from Leonardo da Vinci to Jack the Ripper
• How have brain diseases and conditions altered the course of history?
• What happens in the brain with conditions such as epilepsy, schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder?

• › Dr Robert M Kaplan, forensic psychiatrist, writer and historian; Associate Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Australia

Hear from one of Australia’s favourite columnists, authors and drivetime hosts about his passion for the written word and the joy of reading a good book.
 

• › Richard Glover, NSW State Ambassador for the National Year of Reading; weekly columnist with The Sydney Morning Herald; top rating drivetime host,, 702 ABC Sydney, Australia

• How can mindfulness practices nurture the development of attention and reflective skills?
• What part do caring, and compassion play in education?
• The role of schools in the healthy social and emotional development of students
• What about “at risk” students? Is mindfulness an effective prevention measure?
• Research and case studies: newly developed mindfulness programs for teachers and students

• › Dr Mark Greenberg, award-winning child development researcher and educator, Penn State University, USA, United States

• How can we move students from spoon-fed to independent, creative, empathetic, problem solving thinkers?
• Why create a culture of thinking?
• What does a culture of thinking look like in schools?
• How can parents support a culture of thinking at home?

• › Wendy Barel, Principal, Masada College, Australia

• What is “gratitude”?
• What relevance does gratitude have for the teaching and learning process?
• Can gratitude impact on student engagement?
• What are the possibilities of gratitude in the midst of teachers’ busy and stressful lives?
   

• › Dr Kerry Howells, pioneer in the field of researching the role of gratitude in education, Faculty of Education, University of Tasmania, Australia

• What happens when children become familiar with the “still quiet place within”?
• Can mindfulness support children in being less vulnerable to stress and risky behaviours?
• What does the current research indicate regarding the effects of mindfulness on children and adolescents?
• Can mindfulness practices enhance positive relationships between parents and children?
   

• › Dr Amy Saltzman, holistic physician and mindfulness instructor, The Still Quiet Place, USA, United States

• How can we assist children with Asperger's syndrome to understand and express affection?
• The power of a hug – healing or harming?
• How can we help parents deal with a lack of affection from their child?
• Case studies: enhancing the hearts and minds of children on the Austism spectrum

• › Dr Michelle Garnett, clinical psychologist; Founder and Director, Minds & Hearts: A Specialist Clinic for Asperger's Syndrome and Autism, Australia

• What do mathematicians, dancers, musicians, baseball players, 3D web designers and Navy SEALs have in common?
• How does spatial intelligence impact cognitive and social development?
• What happens when spatial learning is undeveloped?
• Implications for using spatial navigation and spatial memory strategies to grow the brain and transform maths, science, humanities and social-emotional skill sets

• › Dr M. A. Greenstein, thought leader and innovator in applied neuroscience; publisher and curriculum designer for brain/mind/body awareness and spatial intelligence platforms; Founder & Chief Brainiac, GGI, USA, United States

• De-stressing: why bother?
• Where does your stress come from?
• How can you calm down “mind chatter" in a busy life?
• Tips for being more energised and focussed at work
• How does mindfulness lead to joyfulness?
   

• › Shamash Alidina, one of the UK's most popular mindfulness coaches; best-selling author: Mindfulness for Dummies; Founder, Learn Mindfulness, UK, United Kingdom

• What is an eating disorder?
• What’s the effect on the brain?
• How can neuroscience help in treating eating disorders?
• New therapies for eating disorders: cognitive self-compassion and mindfulness

• › Chris Thornton, Clinical Director and Principal Clinical Psychologist, The Redleaf Practice, Australia

Be entranced by inspiring and uplifting gospel songs from one of Sydney’s longstanding community choirs.

• › The Honeybees, acclaimed a capella gospel choir, The Honeybees, Australia