SCITECHtalk_T2_2013

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SciTech

We l c o m e t o t h e S c i e n c e a n d Te c h n o l o g y K — 6 e-newsletter This e-newsletter is designed to inform and support K—6 teachers in the area of Science and Technology

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

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Inside this issue Contents and Welcome

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Draft Australian Curriculum: Technologies Consultation Feedback

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The Australian Curriculum: Technologies—a NSW perspective

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Anaphylaxis Procedures for Schools...a reminder

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Resources

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Astronomy Open Night

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Contact

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Welcome back to Term 2 and the new SCITECHtalk e-newsletter!

In the past this newsletter was written for both primary Science and Technology K— 6 and Years 7—12 TAS/Technology subjects.

Now we have a new structure in which Early Learning and Primary Education is separate from Secondary Education. While we will continue to work together in many aspects to support the K—12 continuum of learning, our roles as advisors will be more specialised with a specific primary and secondary focus.

Ultimately, our role is still supporting regions and teachers. Reduced capacity makes one-to-one delivery of professional learning very difficult. Technology using videoconferencing, Adobe Connect and similar can work brilliantly but is not always the best option. So when needed, consider using your school education group, cluster, professional association or other network to create a group of schools/teachers who require face-to-face professional learning.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

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Draft Australian Curriculum: Technologies Consultation Feedback The draft Australian Curriculum: Technologies was released for national consultation on 20 February 2013. It is available for viewing or downloading from the Australian Curriculum consultation website.

The NSW Department of Education and Communities conducted extensive consultation with teachers, school leaders, regions, and professional associations. This included a series of videoconferences and focus groups and an on-line survey. In addition, a PowerPoint presentation outlining the main features of the draft curriculum was produced and is still available for use on the Curriculum Support website.

The Department’s survey is now closed and the responses have been collated and analysed. Feedback from all sources were incorporated in the Department’s response. The Board of Studies will incorporate our response as part of the final combined NSW response and present this to ACARA in May. So, what did all this consultation reveal? The main issues raised as areas of concern were: 

the separation of Technologies into 2 subjects—Design and Technologies and Digital Technologies

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the depth and complexity of the Digital Technologies content

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extensive professional learning implications for teachers, especially primary

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the over representation of food related areas.

ACARA now has the task of taking all feedback on board and refining the draft curriculum for the release of the final curriculum in December 2013.

Further information about the Australian Curriculum: Technologies including a timeline of the writing and implementation schedule, can be found on the ACARA website.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

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THE AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM TECHNOLOGIES — A NSW PERSPECTIVE There has been much confusion amongst teachers and school leaders about the draft Australian Curriculum: Technologies—when and how will it be implemented in NSW?.

In the memorandum to principals issued by the Board of Studies on 31 July 2012 we were reminded that for all subjects other than the four Phase 1 subjects (English, Mathematics, Science, History) it was “business as usual” until otherwise advised by the BOS. In NSW we will not use the Australian Curriculum directly. We must wait until syllabuses incorporating the Australian Curriculum content are developed by the Board of Studies and approved by the Minister for implementation in NSW schools. That is because The Board of Studies is responsible under the Education Act 1990 for developing the curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 12 in NSW. In the meantime, we must become familiar with the four new syllabuses through the opportunities offered on the NSW syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum website where you will find courses and resources to support your teaching. Resources will be continually added as they are completed.

The new Anaphylaxis Procedures for Schools were released last November. The Procedures are mandatory for all government schools and should be used in conjunction with the information on the Department's student health web pages.

The Director-General has mandated the completion of anaphylaxis e-training for all permanent, temporary and casual employees who work in schools. The e-training does not replace specialist anaphylaxis training conducted where students are diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

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NSW Environment and Heritage has developed teaching resources to assist environmental and sustainability education activities.

CSIRO teacher resources provide inspiration for teachers

Egg Grab ‘n’ Grade – iTunes App The Poultry CRC has released a FREE iTunes app which shows how eggs make their way from hen houses, through the grading floor, to a packing station where they are put into cartons, and then on to shop shelves. The game includes a comprehensive tutorial about each egg type, and includes a number of factoids about eggs.

Now discoverable on primezone.edu.au. Also discoverable on iTunes.

All About Eggs

The Powerhouse Museum Education team looks towards creative learning approaches which seek out new ways to engage students in learning. © State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

The All About Eggs, program is a fun and interactive science incursion educating primary school children from K to 6 on nutrition, agriculture and science. Delivered by qualified teachers the incursion combines the excitement of live chicks hatching, with hands on science experiments.

To find out more please visit http://www.eggs.org.au/education

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CSIRO’s CarbonKids is an innovative educational program for primary and middle schooling years that combines the latest in environmental science with education and sustainability.

CarbonKids aims to provide primary and secondary schools with resources enabling them to address climate change and encourage their community to be proactive in the process.

Visit the DEC’s Environmental Education site for more environmental support.

The Powerhouse Museum is offering a variety of digital media workshops for children 7 +.

These workshops include:  Animation using Scratch to celebrate World Scratch Day  After school computing club (a 6 week workshop series)  Minecraft-style movie workshop starring you!  Master class in reverse where young experts teach adults Or find out what’s on at the Powerhouse!

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

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Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

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We would love you to join us on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/technologies.curriculum

Science and Technology curriculum contact:

Early Learning and Primary Education Directorate Learning and Leadership Portfolio Level 3, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, 2010, NSW T: (02) 9266 8054 tanya.coli@det.nsw.edu.au

The non-DEC products and events listed in this eNewsletter are to be used at the reader’s discretion. The inclusion of product and event information is not an endorsement by the DEC.

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013