111 EXPLAIN

222 PrimaryConnections – a collaborative project Australian Academy of Science project Steering Committee: AAS and DEEWR Reference Group: –Australian Academy of Science –Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations –Universities – Australian Council of Deans of Education –Literacy, English and Science Educator Associations –State Education Departments –Catholic and Independent Schools Associations –Australian Primary Principals Association –Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering

3 Summary of research Original trial teachers: improvements for teachers, science status & quantity Factors for successful implementation: support, science coordinator, time Professional Learning Facilitators and Curriculum Leaders: excellent resources with effective programs Teachers: report significant benefits in confidence and competence Students: show significant differences in “processes of science” and “literacies of science” compared with other science programs

444 Teaching Primary Science – Trial teacher feedback on the implementation of PrimaryConnections and the 5E model (2012) Primary Connections has had a very real, positive influence on most (if not all) responding teachers’ thinking about the nature of inquiry-oriented and constructivist-based (as in, the 5E model) science learning at the primary level. It would appear that these perceptions have been realised, to varying degrees, in many classrooms. Furthermore, for some teachers, the influence of PrimaryConnections has produced teaching and learning environments that fulfill many criteria associated with high-quality science learning. Keith Skamp (2012)

5 Australian Curriculum:Science Three interrelated strands: Science Understanding (SU) Science Inquiry Skills (SIS) Science as a Human Endeavour (SHE) Presented as “content” with “elaborations” for each year level An achievement Standard for each year is also presented

6 Australian Curriculum:Science Science Understanding Strand divided into four sub-strands Biological sciences Chemical sciences Physical sciences Earth and space sciences

7 Australian Curriculum:Science Science as a Human Endeavour Strand divided into two sub-strands Nature and development of science Use and influence of science

8 Australian Curriculum:Science Science Inquiry Skills content is described in two-year bands. There are five sub-strands: Questioning and predicting Planning and conducting Processing and analysing data and information Evaluating Communicating

9 Australian Curriculum:Science General Capabilities Literacy Numeracy Information and communication (ICT) capability Critical and creative thinking Ethical understanding Personal and social capability Intercultural understanding Cross-curriculum priorities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia Sustainability

TRIAL 10 Major message The Australian Curriculum:Science outlines the “what” of the curriculum….what should be taught and learnt. It does not outline how teachers deliver the curriculum. How do you actually do this at the most fundamental “coal face” level….the teacher and the students?

TRIAL 11 PrimaryConnections…….. ………..provides the “what” and the “how”!!!

12 Where did I come from?.... …..the birth….. Australian Curriculum: Science (ACARA) NSW Science and Technology K-6 (BOSTES) So: The NSW Syllabus for the Australian curriculum Science and Technology….…………………………………………… is a version of the Australian Curriculum: Science

13 Context Question or Problem Linking Science & Technology Science Hands-on scientific investigations. Draws on: - tools - processes developed by technology. Technology Hands-on design projects. Uses: - concepts/principles - processes developed by science.

14 NSW from AC Science concept: Page 63 A student describes how relationships between the sun and the Earth cause regular changes ST2- 9ES Earth’s rotation on its axis causes regular changes, including night and day (ACSSU048)

15 Coding All PC units use these codes which you can cross-reference to the syllabus

16 Colours of units: Biological Sciences Chemical Sciences Physical Sciences Earth and Space Sciences

17 Physical World (PW) – blue units Earth and Space (ES) – red units Living World (LW) – green units Material World (MW) – yellow units Working Scientifically (WS) – in all units Syllabus organisation-Content

18 Curriculum Units – Australian Curriculum:Science / NSW syllabus Curriculum Units StageYear Living World (LW) Material World (MW) Earth and Space (ES) Physical World (PW) Curriculum focus: awareness of self and the local world ES1F Staying alive or Growing well What’s it made of?Weather in my worldOn the move 11 Schoolyard safari Spot the difference or Bend it! Stretch it! Up, down and all around Look! Listen! 2 Watch it growAll mixed upWater worksPush pull Curriculum focus: recognising questions that can be investigated scientifically and investigating them 23 Feathers, fur or leavesMelting momentsNight and dayHeating up 4 Plants in ActionMaterial world Beneath our feet Smooth moves or Magnetic moves Friends or foesPackage it better 35 Desert survivorsWhat’s the matter?Earth’s place in spaceLight shows 6 Marvellous micro-organisms Change detectives Earthquake explorer or Volcanoes (coming soon) It’s electrifying Essential energy

19 StageYear Living World (LW) Material World (MW) Earth and Space (ES) Physical World (PW) Curriculum focus: awareness of self and the local world ES1F Staying alive or Growing well What’s it made of?Weather in my worldOn the move 11 Schoolyard safari Spot the difference or Bend it! Stretch it! Up, down and all around Look! Listen! (replaces Sounds sensational) 2 Watch it growAll mixed upWater worksPush pull Curriculum focus: recognising questions that can be investigated scientifically and investigating them 23 Feathers, fur or leavesMelting moments Night and day (replaces Spinning in space) Heating up 4 Plants in ActionMaterial world Beneath our feet Smooth moves or Magnetic moves Friends or foesPackage it better 35 Desert survivorsWhat’s the matter?Earth’s place in space Light shows (replaces Light fantastic) 6 Marvellous micro-organisms Change detectives Earthquake explorers or Volcanoes (coming soon) It’s electrifying Essential energy Units with Indigenous Perspectives