Soula Bennett STAV President Director, Quantum Victoria STAV Lab Tech Conference 2011 “Vision for the Future” The Evolving Role of Laboratory Technicians in the Science Classroom Friday 10 June 2011 Soula Bennett STAV President Director, Quantum Victoria

The evolving Science Laboratory

The Status of School Science Laboratory Technicians in Australian Secondary Schools Professor Mark Hackling A study conducted by Edith Cowan University (ECU) in collaboration with ASTA and SETA May 2009 http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Programs/Documents/Status%20of%20School%20Science%20Technicians%20report.pdf

CONTEXT… Australia needs a: scientifically literate society scientists and technologists This can be achieved through: authentic and inquiry oriented science programs at both Primary and Secondary schools that engage students and inspire them to continue with science at the senior levels and beyond. Science teachers depend heavily on: good facilities high quality technical support to ensure we have a viable economy and to address a wide range of social and environmental challenges. to implement an engaging and inquiry-oriented curriculum and this will be particularly important as Australia implements a national science curriculum.

a study to investigate the training and support for technicians, Very little research on status of technical support for secondary school science Concerns about: the status of technical support for science teaching programs in Australian schools by ASTA, SETA resulted in the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) funding: a study to investigate the training and support for technicians, their roles and the level of servicing provided by technicians for the teaching and learning of secondary science. and most of this has been conducted in the United Kingdom (The Royal Society & ASE, 2001, 2002).

“National Forum on the Role and Support Structures for School Laboratory Technicians in Australian Secondary Schools” July 2010 Research identified many issues including: inadequate service factors, training levels, career opportunities, OHS risks. These concerns lead to the conclusion that: Existing system not well equipped to meet new challenges of the implementation of the Australian Curriculum Science. (Hackling, 2009) Working Party established at the July 2010 Forum Two day workshop Nov 2010, STAV rep attending Karen McCoy

Recommendations… The report made 8 recommendations which address: training programs aligned with the needs of educational sector minimum standards for training and induction into role consistent job specifications availability and support for ongoing professional development minimum standards for staffing levels defined by a technicians’ service factor the establishment of an online advisory service.

Working Party sought: National template for the professional standards Career structures Consistent job specifications for School Science Technicians that will support good teaching of Science in our schools Facilitate the successful implementation of the Australian Curriculum Science. (ASTA 2010)

Working Party Aims… Minimum standards for the training required for employment of science technicians in secondary schools and for their induction into the role A career structure that recognizes the development of skills and experience Nationally consistent job specifications for various levels of science technicians to which appropriate salary scales would be linked Standards once accepted, used to inform all sectors; Government, Catholic & Independent as well as subject associations & Unions

Purpose of Standards… To describe the role of technicians in the education sector Requirements of technicians at three levels of classification including trainee: - Science Assistant (Trainee) - Science Technician - Senior Science Technician - Science Laboratory Manager Attempted to identify a structure that would suit the professional needs of technicians and eliminate variation between employers

Implications… The structure provides: Career pathway for all technicians Ensures that all who work and study in our schools are adequately supported and protected Standards ensure that all technicians will be appropriately trained to perform the duties that they have been employed to do Articulating the role and minimum standards at each career level, encourages all technicians to engage in professional learning throughout their career. Career pathway defined in document allows practitioners to access high levels of job satisfaction and improve the status of technicians within the broader education community.

Timeline… Friday 27th May 2011: Draft document sent to working party members for comments Friday 10th June 2011: Feedback received from all working party members Friday 24th June2011: Document sent to ASTA and other forum participants Wednesday 13th July2011: Presented to CONASTA (Darwin) by Teresa Gigengack as part of her session.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Images Members of the Working Party: Chair Ms Teresa Gigengack Winthrop Baptist College, WA Members Mr Gary Carey Catholic Education Office, NSW Mr Geoff Gleadall Monerey Secondary College, Vic Ms Despina Karlovassitis Loxton High School, SA Ms Ruth Kempton Department of Education, WA Ms Karen McCoy Camberwell Grammar School, Vic Mr John Shanahan Department of Education, NT Mr Peter Turnbull Department of Education and Children’s Services, SA STAV acknowledges & thanks Karen McCoy for participating in the process & for her report. Images http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=science+images&qpvt=science+images&FORM=IGRE http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/high-school-science-lab_2.html