Science

Catch the Science Bug!

Do you remember the joy of discovering science?  Looking through your junior microscope, growing crystals or watching sea monkeys?

Science is identified as one of the four core subjects for all primary students, alongside English, Mathematics and Social Education, in the 2007 Australian Primary Principal's Association (APPA) Charter for Primary Schooling.  The Units of Study focus upon curriculum areas such as environments, diversity, change, conservation, movement, energy and sustainability.  Thinking skills include research, observation, deduction, decision making and problem solving.

Dr. Jan Lokan, co-author of the Australian Report, Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 1999 Video Study, noted that:

"...given the centrality of inquiry based learning in Australian Science teaching, the commitment to scientific literacy and the emphasis on independent practical work, there appears to be a need to allow more student-directed investigations and more whole class discussion of results and conclusions arising from the practical activities."

She further observed that this helps to "...maximise students opportunities to develop and consolidate the scientific concepts underlying their investigations."

At Scots, this has been recognised for a number of years.  In 2002 The Scots Primary School introduced a new Science program with Primary Investigations at its core, enabling all students with ample opportunities to experiment, investigate, form a hypothesis and observe, in order to draw their own conclusions.

Science is a subject that requires specific and substantial knowledge by the teacher as truly engaged students want answers to a myriad of questions emanating from their experiments. They want to analyse their results, add variables to the original test, form hypotheses and examine their conclusions.  Often the questions that arise from this process need specific teacher knowledge.  As a result, Science teachers need to be well qualified in their discipline and up to date with current ideas in Science teaching and learning.

At Scots a specialist Science teacher for students in Years K-6 has been integral to the success of this engaging approach to teaching and learning, evident in the significant discussions held in Primary Science classrooms. At Scots we recognise that the students engagement, participation and ownership of the practical activities are paramount to their learning and retention of information.

The program is further enhanced by the homeroom teachers working collegially with the Science specialist, combining English Literacy text types with the practical activities of the science lesson.

In their final primary year, Year 6 students are taught in the new Science Centre located in the Secondary School, where they enjoy access to world class facilities.  A Science teacher from the Secondary School assists students in the transition from primary to secondary school during this time.  Practical investigations are exciting and include measuring pendulum swings, ecology and food chains, balancing see-saws, walking the tight rope, slick solutions to oil spills and parachuting an egg!

This experience in the senior laboratories enables students to better appreciate the safety requirements and resources of a senior science laboratory classroom, whilst secondary teachers gain an appreciation of the skills and knowledge base that students from Scots Year 6 will bring to the Year 7 classroom.

This interest is further expanded in Scots Secondary School with Science a core subject in Years 7-10 and a popular choice in HSC.  Biology, Chemistry and Physics results are consistently well above State Average.  Students in Years 7-10 also enjoy success in the International Schools Science Competition and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute Chemistry Quiz.

The Year 2 Science excursion to the Wonga Wetlands is a highlight and the CSIRO Science Show is a popular workshop for both primary and secondary students.  In addition, Scots participates in the National Secondary Youth Science Forum where young scientists are encouraged to discover possible careers paths, and all students from Years 3-6 participate in the annual UNSW Science Competition.

This strong focus upon Science in the curriculum at Scots Primary School will continue to set benchmarks for the teaching of this important subject at the School well into the future.