For further information contact:

Elaine LewisEdD Candidate

Email: 19105349@student.murdoch.edu.au

Project PurposeTo improve student engagement and learning outcomes in science, technology and mathematics through innovative, community action-based, education for sustainability initiatives with a focus on water resource management. The project aimed to provide opportunities for deep learning in real life contexts, richly resourced through partnerships and curriculum integration.

Project ProgramThe project was undertaken over an eighteen month period, 2007 – mid 2008. It incorporated a range of learning activities for students; those in which all the schools participated and those relevant only to the individual schools. There were four common activities.

• HealingtheSwan:3daystudentexcursionalongtheSwanRiver.

• PerthGroundwaterFestival:SOSprojectdisplays.

• Whole-of-projectwebsite:SOSproject showcased.

• PartnershipsModel:implementingsustainability programs through partnerships.

Each of the schools involved in the project also conducted their own mini-projects relevant to their local needs.

• Exploringthepropertiesofwaterthroughthe design, construction and testing of awaterfeatureandCoolgardieSafe.

• Understandingstormwaterandwaterquality monitoring of lakes and rivers.

• Investigatingwaterpollution,thendesigning and constructing a physical PeriodicTabletounderstandtheproperties of the elements identified.

• Examiningthewater-savingfeaturesof native plants, then propagating and growing local native species.

• Understandingthemarineenvironment,particularly coral reef ecosystems.

OutcomesImproved student engagement and learning – a wide range of innovative, real-life, richly resourced learning experiences were conducted.

Common activities -

Key Outcomes Achieved

Common activities and mini-projects -

Elaine Lewis, Catherine Baudains, Caroline Mansfield

A collaborative project, called SOS: Science of Sustainability, explored student engagement and learning in the science, technology and mathematicsofwatermanagement.ThisAustralianSchoolsInnovationinScience,TechnologyandMathematics(ASISTM)projectinvolvedsixschools(stateandindependent,primaryandsecondary,ingeographicallydisparatesuburbsinthemetropolitanareaofPerth,WesternAustralia),tertiary institutions, and government and non-government organisations.

ConclusionThe SOS project was effective in making waves in student learning outcomes, through enhanced student engagement and improved understandings about water resource management. This was achieved by innovative programming involving action-based environmental initiatives in the community and partnerships withmanyorganisations.Studentspresented their findings at numerous publicandpoliticalforums.Otheroutcomes included improved student interest, attitudes, knowledge and skills in science, technology and mathematics, and the development of a model for implementing sustainability programs through partnerships.

Perth Groundwater Festival

Healing the Swan

Whole-of-project Website

Partnerships Model

Projectproductsand processes showcased. Studentinvestigating the elements of the PeriodicTablein the context of heavy metal pollutants in water.

TheModelforSustainabilityProgramsUtilizingPartnershipswasprogressively developed, using an ‘evidence-based’ approach, over the life of the project.

Studentslearntaboutthe history, science

and technology of river management from indigenous mentors and other experts and participated in water quality

monitoring activities.

Illustrates project programs and outcomes.

http://scienceofsustainability.net

Enriched transcultural communication

Improved student knowledge and skills

Enhanced student engagement

Developed effective collaborative partnerships

Shared learning with a wide audience

Making Waves

Learning science, technologyand maths in meaningful ways

Teaching and learning for

sustainability

Community based

opportunities for learning science,

technologyand maths

Deep learning& action

Active co-operative partnerships required in all areas of the model

Project Challenge–Hugeco-ordinationandadministration role for school project leaders.

This material has been developed as a part of the Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics ProjectfundedbytheAustralianGovernmentDepartmentofEducation,ScienceandTrainingasapart of the Boosting Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics Teaching (BISTMT) Programme.

The SOS: Science of Sustainability project provided many opportunities for students to dive deep into innovative, real-life learning experiences.

Studentsinvestigatingthe marine environment atCoralBayinWA.

Studentsconductingtemperature, turbidity, pHandsalinitytestingof river water, along with macroinvertebrate investigations.

Indigenous mentor sharing understandings about the river with students.

Studentsdiscussingunderstandings about the river with a mentor.

Studentssharingtheir understandings about the science and technology of water management at the GroundwaterFestival.