Scitechtalk T2 2014

TALK

SciTech

This e-newsletter is designed to inform and support K — 6 area of Science and Technology

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

teachers in the

Welcome The first 4 weeks of term we ran the Science and Technology Series 1 Adobe Connect sessions.

These sessions were designed to introduce you to the syllabus and take a closer look at the skills areas of Working Scientifically and Working Technologically, as well as the Material World.

Please contact us especially with your suggestions for future adobe connect sessions or areas you feel you would like some assistance in preparing for working with the new syllabus.

We have had a good response to people joining jour mailing list so please keep passing this newsletter and information on to colleagues and encourage them to subscribe to it.

Also, please let us know what you would like to have included in this newsletter by emailing us.

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SyllabusPLUS (Adobe Connect)

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Implementing new curriculum

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BoSTES update

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ClassMovies

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Robogals

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Young Scientist Awards

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Websites and Resources

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

We hope that those of you who joined in the live sessions or have accessed the Syllabus PLUS sessions found them useful and they have taken away some of the fears and/or instilled some excitement regarding the new syllabus and the change in pedagogy which allows you to provide rich and engaging learning.

For those of you who have not engaged with the series, the principal (or a delegated staff member) can schedule an event for your school.

The principal or delegate manages the school event for teachers to have the professional learning recorded on MyPL.

The links and course numbers are in a table on the following page.

The following links will take you directly to the recording of the series.

Session 1: Syllabus Introduction

https://connect.schools.nsw.edu.au/p9og019q71i/

Course Code: NR05990

Session 2: Working Scientifically

https://connect.schools.nsw.edu.au/p58xkw2c7k0/

Course Code: NR05991

Session 3: Working Technologically Session 4: Material World

https://connect.schools.nsw.edu.au/p37k2ek2zk5/

https://connect.schools.nsw.edu.au/p4q5910tdry/

Course Code: NR05992 Course Code: NR05989

Professional Learning There are a number of registered courses designed to assist with the implementation of the new curriculum.

Follow the link to the NSW syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum: Implementation support website for comprehensive information, links to courses and resources.

The following are specific to Science and Technology: Implementing the new curriculum – Your school and the syllabus – Science and Technology K-6

Implementing the new curriculum – A process for programming a unit of learning: Science and Technology K-6

Browse through the materials and presenter notes and choose amongst the various resources which support the implementation of the new syllabus to suit your needs.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

The following supports programming and assessment: The Programming for quality teaching and assessing course provides a guided approach to curriculum planning and development of teaching programs and assessments.

The resources on the following pages – (PDF Portfolios AND Sample units of learning – can only be accessed on

.

You MUST sign in with your DEC login and password and search for Science and Technology (or the correct name of the resource).

You will see a list of resources from which to choose.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

The following are PDF portfolio resources designed to assist teachers in their understanding of the skills strands and the Material World substrand.

Working Scientifically in K-6

Working Technologically in K-6

Exploring the Material World in Science and Technology K-6

These units can only be located on

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

.

The following are SAMPLE units of learning developed by teachers who were involved in a Science and Technology project with the DEC. These units were written to cater to the local context of these school communities. They should be adapted to suit your school context and may assist in implementation of the syllabus. These units can only be located on

.

Lugarno PS Lugarno’s unit of learning is on the built environment (Made Environment) for Stage 3 which was created in response to student concerns at an SRC meeting.

Putney PS This unit of learning is based on the Material World substrand (Natural and Made Environment) and focuses on Early Stage 1.

These units of learning are presented in PDF portfolio format. There are three PDFs and three Word docs attached. To watch the videos, you must download the Word docs and follow the hyperlinks. Videos are of teachers describing the process they undertook to develop the units and their reflections on this process.

They each contain a scope and sequence, differentiation of the teaching, practical experiences encompassing Working Technologically and Working Scientifically, embedded assessment tasks and

resources.

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

The following are SAMPLE units of learning developed by teachers who were involved in a Science and Technology project with the DEC. These units were written to cater to the local context of these school communities. They should be adapted to suit your school context and may assist in implementation of the syllabus. These units can only be located on

.

Leumeah PS The learning focus for this Stage 1 unit of learning is on light and sound, and pushes and pulls within the Physical World substrand (Natural Environment strand).

Melrose Park PS Melrose Park PS is a P5 school situated in Northern Sydney region.

This is a multistage unit of learning for Stages 2 and 3 which focuses on the Material World substrand (Natural and Made Environment).

These units of learning are presented in PDF portfolio format. There are three PDFs and three Word docs attached. To watch the videos, you must download the Word docs and follow the hyperlinks. Videos are of teachers describing the process they undertook to develop the units and their reflections on this process.

They each contain a scope and sequence, differentiation of the teaching, practical experiences encompassing Working Technologically and Working Scientifically, embedded assessment tasks and

resources.

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

Important Information BoSTES UPDATE

Friday, 30 May 2014

NSW Syllabuses update Over the last two terms, schools have commenced the phased introduction of the four new NSW K-10 syllabuses in English, Mathematics, Science and History.

From the feedback BOSTES is receiving, schools have planned well for the new syllabuses, and the many teachers using Program Builder have appreciated the practical benefits of this online tool.

In all other aspects of the curriculum, teachers will continue to use the current NSW BOSTES syllabuses. The current syllabuses for NSW schools are available on the BOSTES website.

• • •

K-6 7-10 HSC

Schools and teachers can be assured that BOSTES will only implement new syllabuses after extensive consultation, including consultation on any implementation timetable.

The current BOSTES review of K-10 Geography and the recently announced review of the Year 11 and 12 English, History, Mathematics and Science courses will result in updated syllabuses in future years. The implementation of these syllabuses will be determined and announced later in the review process.

Schools must implement NSW BOSTES syllabuses.

The Australian curriculum in the areas of The Arts, Technologies, Health and Physical Education, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, and Geography are not alternatives to the NSW BOSTES syllabuses.

For more information, contact: Howard Kennedy Director KITE, Curriculum & Assessment howard.kennedy@bos.nsw.edu.au (02) 9367 8313

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

The Department's partnership with ClassMovies allows NSW public schools to create short videos of their teaching practices and school programs. Raw footage captured by the schools will be professionally edited in order to bring your story to life in the best possible way.

We are looking for schools who are delivering curriculum in exciting and innovative ways, resulting in rich learning experiences for students. We are particularly interested in best practice examples of integrated learning and differentiated learning that engage our diverse student population in authentic learning experiences. To find out more about the project, please visit the Department’s information page.

If this sounds like your school, please contact Amanda Lee (Amanda.Lee18@det.nsw.edu.au or 9244 5484) to discuss a possible focus area for a documentary. If you fit the bill, there will be no cost involved for your school, just the opportunity to show NSW public schools how you are inspiring your students every day. To get an idea of the finished product you can view examples of completed movies.

It would be great to see some Science and Technology examples in the final products.

Many Science and Technology guided tours, shows, workshops, demonstrations and events are currently on at the PowerHouse Museum. Curriculum linked and interactive, students have the opportunity to explore a range of learning experiences that complement and/or support the teaching and understanding of this learning area. Download the Primary Schools Program for 2014.

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

Programming support

BoSTES has developed a program builder which helps you develop a unit of learning using readyto-use templates, easy drag-and-drop editing with the ability to select outcomes and content directly from the new syllabus. View the sample units for Science and Technology. View all available samples, including sample scope and sequences.

Sample units and programming support are found when using the filter option embedded within the Science and Technology e-syllabus.

The annual cap that! campaign, proudly supported by National Literacy and Numeracy Week, asks teachers Australia-wide to turn on captions in schools for literacy and learning benefits for all students. Captions are essential for Deaf and hearing impaired students and improve comprehension for EAL/D students, struggling readers and children with learning difficulties. As a tool already available on many DVDs, online videos and TV programs, captions are an easy way to boost literacy and inclusion for all students.

Visit capthat.com.au for a free Captions Champion Kit and a range of resources for teachers, schools and parents.

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

Investigating Invertebrates is designed for teachers to support investigations of biodiversity

and invertebrates in school grounds. It provides a range of teaching and learning materials in the form of a Science and English integrated unit. Investigating Invertebrates features extensive use of videos, apps, ďŹ eld guides, documents, digital multimodal books and other teaching and learning resources. iTunes U requires an iPad, iPod touch or an iPhone and the free iTunes U app.

For more information and to enrol in Investigating Invertebrates visit iTunes U http://bit.ly/Inverts

Macrobiotica Stages 3 and 4 In this resource students work as scientists while exploring their local environment in the real world of scientific endeavour. Games and animations are used to model the real experience of investigating a freshwater lake. The onscreen activities work well with an interactive whiteboard.

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

ECOSPACE is a comprehensive unit of learning which provides the opportunity to learn about the built environment, energy and sustainability (for Stage 3) in a fun way.

It is aligned to the new Science and Technology syllabus and integrates Working Scientifically and Working Technologically through the Built Environments substrand. It provides teaching notes and resources which support learning to use as required.

CSIRO’s Science by Email provides a short narrative about the Mars rover – Opportunity. Read about how the Rover is going on its 10 year anniversary.

An illustration of Opportunity getting ready to inspect a rock on Mars.

Image: courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

Learn more about the Science Challenge at:

http://www.sciencechallenge.com.au/

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

Primary Teachers Are you ready to implement the new Science & Technology K-6 syllabus in 2015? Wise up at the STANSW Annual conference.

You will walk away with: • a better understanding of the syllabus • a better understanding of the content knowledge • ideas for implementation of inquiry based learning • ideas for assessment Join your peers in the learning process Date: Saturday 13th September 2014 Venue: The Roundhouse, University of NSW, Kensington Cost: (includes 10% GST) Members- $180 / student members- $40 / non-members- $280 / nonmember students- $80 Online registration will be available soon via the STANSW website. To register your interest email office@stansw.asn.au with Primary Conference in the subject field Image copyright Rohan Bilney

Program 8.15– 8.55 am

Registration

9.00 am

Welcome and house keeping

9.10 am – 10.25 am 10.30 – 11.00 11.05 am – 12pm

Gina Grant, Science Consultant: Investigating the demands of the new K-6 Science and Technology Syllabus Morning Tea – check out the commercial resources available Joanne Sim, High Performance Unit, DEC: Online assessment for primary science and technology Neil Bramsen, Assistant Principal, Mt Ousley Primary School: Engaging elementary and middle school STEM programs

12:05 – 1:00 pm

1:05 – 2:00 Lunch – more time to peruse the commercial resources available The following workshops will be include: • Revision of the key concepts and content matter in each of the knowledge and understanding strands, • Analysis of the Working Scientifically Strand and how it may be implemented into practice in the Primary classroom, • Identification of the possibilities for interdisciplinary units which reflect real world contexts and which include key components of literacy and numeracy.

2:05 – 3:05 workshop

Focus on implementing the Biological World and the Chemical World

3:10 – 4:10 workshop

Focus on implementing Earth and Space and the Physical World

This event is accredited with BOSTES. Teachers attending, can count 5 hours towards their ongoing professional development at professional competence level.

PO Box 458 Strathfield NSW 2135 Phone: 02 9763 2751 * Fax: 02 9763 2739 Email: office@stansw.asn.au * www.stansw.asn.au * ABN: 44 677 048 086

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

The STANSW young Scientist Awards is a program open to students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Students can perform an open-ended scientific investigation about a topic that is of interest to them OR they can enter a model or invention.

Entries can be done by individuals or a group.

There are many prizes and support for students and teachers, including a rubric which is used for judging entries.

For more information visit STANSW. For enquiries contact youngscientist@stansw.asn.au Download a copy of the Young Scientist Information Booklet. Download the flyer about the Models and Inventions section. Register for the 2014 Young Scientist Award.

Get involved today! Register your interest in being partnered with a scientist:

http://www.scientistsinschools.edu.au/teachers/registration.htm

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014

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Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2014