Scitechtalk t4 2013

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TALK

SciTech

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

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

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Course 5

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SyllabusPLUS

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Science and Technology: Sample units of learning

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Object design centre

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Scientists in schools

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Connections Virtual Excursions

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Powerhouse museum Sydney Mini Maker Faire

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Sites2See

Welcome to Term 4

This term will prove to be a challenge with the usual end-of-year activities, tasks and local school community issues. Many projects are on the boil within DEC state office so watch this space!

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

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Course 5 - A process for programming a unit of learning is now complete and will be available very soon.

This is a five hour course which addresses the following teaching standards: 2.2.2 Organise content into coherent, well sequenced learning and teaching program 3.2.2 Plan and implement well-structured learning and teaching programs or lesson sequences that engage students and promote learning.

6.2.2 Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice, targeted to professional needs and school and /or system priorities.

A process for programming a unit of learning is KLA specific and provides a more contextualised guide to curriculum planning and programming.

In the Science and Technology course you will have the opportunity to evaluate a current unit of learning which will highlight changes necessary to meet the Science K-10 (incorporating science and technology K-6) Syllabus requirements. You will be guided through the essential elements of programming including unique aspects of science and technology programming, the skills of Working Scientifically and Working Technologically, Learning across the curriculum and catering for diversity.

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

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Syllabus PLUS is a series of five Adobe Connect sessions of 30 minutes. These after school professional development sessions will run after school from Term 1 2014.

The series will explore different aspects of the syllabus for teachers to deepen their understanding of the changes, expectations and pedagogy for teaching primary students.

We are very open to suggestions as to what you would like us to address in these sessions and request that you forward these ideas as soon as possible but before week eight of this term.

The ABC Splash website contains high quality videos and activities to support the teaching of Science and Technology. These resources are linked to the current syllabus and can also be used effectively with the Science K-10 (incorporating Science and Technology K-6) Syllabus.

Follow the progress and discoveries of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition while they head south. They will be hosting Hangouts on Air as they cross the Southern Ocean, retracing Mawson’s journey. Lesson plans and support are provided for teachers in the classroom.

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

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Four schools were involved in writing units of learning for the Science K-10 (incorporating Science and Technology K-6) Syllabus. These units were written to cater to the local context of these school communities. They can be adapted to suit your school context and may assist in implementation of the syllabus. These units can be located on TaLE. 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.

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).

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

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Four schools were involved in writing units of learning for the Science K-10 (incorporating Science and Technology K-6) Syllabus. These units were written to cater to the local context of these school communities. They can be adapted to suit your school context and may assist in implementation of the syllabus. These units can be located on TaLE.

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.

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

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Everything you need to know about the design process‌ Design Emergency is a program that demonstrates how design can effect positive change in the world. By equipping children with creative problem solving skills, giving them confidence to take risks and enabling them to seize opportunities Design Emergency draws on children’s extraordinary capabilities for innovation.

Explore the website to find some great ideas and opportunities.

Scientists in Schools is a free program that supports science teachers by linking them with a scientist in an ongoing, professional partnership.

A Scientists in Schools partnership can support the teaching of both the Knowledge and Understanding and Working Scientifically/Technologically strands in the NSW syllabus.

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

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Connections is a project of the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities (NSW DEC) unit - Distance And Rural Technologies (DART). Connections provides and co-ordinates video conferencing excursions which bring students and teachers face to face with experts across the globe. The excursions are designed to enrich and supplement curriculum across all stages and key learning areas which are created by many providers including: Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre, PowerHouse Museum, Fizzics Education, Questacon, NASA Space Centre and Royal Botanic Gardens to name a few.

24 November, Powerhouse Museum 10.00am – 5.00pm For one day only see the DIY movement in action! Celebrate the tinkering that takes place at the kitchen table, the garage, the garden, the shed and the lab. Every floor of the Museum will be given over to homegrown displays of ingenious science and design, and everyone is invited to join conversations about the nitty-gritty of materials, processes and techniques.

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

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Sites2See are topic-focused, quality assured, one page guides to online teaching and learning resources supported by syllabus advice and activities. There is an index of Sites2See pages for Primary and Secondary across all Key Learning Areas.

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

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Curriculum Support

tanya.coli@det.nsw.edu.au

yvonne.hughes@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