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EXPLAIN

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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

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Summary of research 2005-2011

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

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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)

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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

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Australian Curriculum:Science

Science Understanding Strand divided into four sub-strands

Biological sciences

Chemical sciences

Physical sciences

Earth and space sciences

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Australian Curriculum:Science

Science as a Human Endeavour Strand divided into two sub-strands

Nature and development of science

Use and influence of science

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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

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Australian Curriculum:Science

General CapabilitiesLiteracyNumeracyInformation and communication (ICT) capabilityCritical and creative thinkingEthical understandingPersonal and social capabilityIntercultural understanding

Cross-curriculum prioritiesAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culturesAsia and Australia’s engagement with AsiaSustainability

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2007 TRIAL

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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?

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2007 TRIAL

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PrimaryConnections……..

………..provides the “what” and the “how”!!!

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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

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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.

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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)

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Coding

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

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Colours of units:

Biological Sciences

Chemical Sciences

Physical Sciences

Earth and Space Sciences

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Physical World (PW) – blue unitsEarth and Space (ES) – red unitsLiving World (LW) – green unitsMaterial World (MW) – yellow unitsWorking Scientifically (WS) – in all units

Syllabus organisation-Content

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Curriculum Units – Australian Curriculum:Science / NSW syllabus

Curriculum Units Stage Year Living World(LW)

Material World(MW)

Earth and Space(ES)

Physical World(PW)

Curriculum focus: awareness of self and the local world

ES1 F Staying alive or

Growing wellWhat’s it made of? Weather in my world On the move

1 1Schoolyard safari

Spot the difference or

Bend it! Stretch it!

Up, down and all around Look! Listen!

2Watch it grow All mixed up Water works Push pull

Curriculum focus: recognising questions that can be investigated scientifically and investigating them

2 3Feathers, fur or leaves Melting moments Night and day Heating up

4 Plants in Action Material worldBeneath our feet

Smooth moves or

Magnetic movesFriends or foes Package it better

3 5Desert survivors What’s the matter? Earth’s place in space Light shows

6

Marvellousmicro-organisms Change detectives

Earthquake explorer or

Volcanoes (coming soon)

It’s electrifying

Essential energy

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Stage Year Living World(LW)

Material World(MW)

Earth and Space(ES)

Physical World(PW)

Curriculum focus: awareness of self and the local world

ES1 F Staying alive orGrowing well What’s it made of? Weather in my world On the move

1 1Schoolyard safari Spot the difference or

Bend it! Stretch it!Up, down and all

aroundLook! Listen!

(replaces Sounds sensational)

2Watch it grow All mixed up Water works Push pull

Curriculum focus: recognising questions that can be investigated scientifically and investigating them

2 3Feathers, fur or leaves Melting moments Night and day

(replaces Spinning in space)Heating up

4Plants in Action Material world

Beneath our feet Smooth moves or Magnetic moves

Friends or foes Package it better

3 5Desert survivors What’s the matter? Earth’s place in space Light shows

(replaces Light fantastic)

6Marvellous

micro-organisms Change detectivesEarthquake explorers

or Volcanoes(coming soon)

It’s electrifying

Essential energy

Units with Indigenous Perspectives