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

SciTech TA

LK

Images from a Science and Technology unit focusing on reducing rubbish at Glebe Public School.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015

Contents

What’s happening

Opportunities

EOI VALID

Agriculture and food week website

Spotlight on schools

Welcome

Welcome to Term 3 2015

As schools are busily implementing the Science and Technology syllabus, I am seeing some wonderful examples of creativity and how this can look. Whole school RFF programs, stages and individual teachers are challenging students to a new way of thinking and doing.

I have included examples from two schools who have taken up this challenge. Bathurst South PS is promoting the great learning on their Facebook page. They have amended their Push and Pull unit to be aligned with the new syllabus and engaged their Stage 1 students in predicting, planning, constructing, testing and reflecting on their floating vessels.

Hamilton North PS implemented a whole school RFF program where all students K-6 were engaged in designing a new bike shelter; a problem they considered needing a resolution at their school. The same substrands were covered but relevant activities, investigations and processes were planned for each stage.

If your school is developing great learning and teaching opportunities, please let me know so we can share and support teachers across the state.

Regards, Tanya Coli Science and Technology Advisor

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015

Australian Design Centre – teacher connect evenings

Discover strategies for developing creative learning experiences in the primary classroom using Australian Design Centre’s Design Emergency program.

Date: Wednesday 9 September Time: 4.00 – 5.30pm Cost: FREE - book your place today

Future Nature

Artist Talk + ‘Future Nature’ exhibition preview for Primary Teachers.

Immerse yourself in Design, listen to specialised talk and enjoy nibbles + drinks. In partnership with the Australian Museum, ‘Future Nature’ explores possible futures posed by artists, designers and architects inspired by the natural world. Future Nature maps the places where art, science and design collide. See how artists and designers take objects apart, examine them and reform them anew through scientific enquiry.

Digital Sparks Discover a wicked problem worth solving. Find empathy with people or the environment to help your design. Use Design thinking tools to come up with ideas. Imagine new possibilities to choose the right solution. Register your school …

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015

NSW Electricity Safety Week 7-11 September 2015

Free resource packs for primary schools

MacICT provides quality Professional Learning courses that introduce teachers to a variety of technologies and pedagogy around ICT in the classroom. Their workshops and events are open to all teachers, educators and preservice teachers. Peruse the term planner for interesting Term 3 courses.

NSW primary schools can now register to receive a FREE interactive prize pack to help engage students in Electricity Safety Week (ESW) 7-11 September 2015. ESW is a state-wide program offered by Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy and is designed to teach students how to be safe around electricity by raising awareness of the hazards associated with it. Registered schools will receive a free resource pack containing a new curriculum lesson booklet for K-6, student prizes, safety posters, a USB with an interactive electricity unit for Stage 3 and other additional items. To receive the free resources, register by emailing your name, school, address and preferred email address to esw@primary-pr.com or call 02 9212 3888.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015

It’s time to get your hands on a camera because entries are now OPEN for Trop Jr - the world’s largest short film festival for kids, by kids!

How does the Maker Movement Power STEM Skills and student curiosity? Take a look at this Australian infographic for the why and how to implement a maker space and adopt maker education at your school!

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015

September 7-18, 2015

Bebras is an Australia-wide challenge to promote Computational Thinking among primary and secondary students (years 3-12). With the increasing need for students to develop science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related competencies; the concepts behind computational thinking are becoming increasingly important. This challenge gives teachers the resources and support necessary to introduce computer science concepts to their students. The tasks can be answered without prior knowledge about digital technologies and are a lot of fun.

The MAAS school learning program provides

many opportunities to support science and technology learning for both students and teachers. The museum is undergoing a significant refresh.

Peruse the program to see what they can do for you …

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015

A new website has been created to stimulate teaching and learning ideas that can engage students and help develop an interest in the origins of food. Embedding these ideas into integrated learning activities may provide opportunities for practical and authentic life-long learning for students of all ages. Peruse the website to see how it can support you at your school.

CSIRO

CSIRO is committed to science and technology education and is one of Australia’s largest science education providers. They offer a range of education resources and services to assist teachers to engage students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and their applications. Stay informed about CSIRO education and outreach programs to see how they can support you.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015

Bathurst South PS is located on the foothills of Mount Panorama ('Waluu' - Wiradjuri name for the Mount Panorama area), Bathurst. Stage 1 classes (1/2C and 2M) as part of their 'Push and Pull' unit planned, constructed, tested and reflected on their floating vessels that were constructed by individuals and groups within the class from everyday items. The students firstly made predictions about the vessels floating ability and then recorded their observations.

See what great things Bathurst South PS are doing on Facebook

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015

Hamilton North PS is a small school situated on large landscaped grounds in the heart of Broadmeadow, Newcastle. Bikes, scooters and skateboards were being left lying around. The school saw it as an issue and K-6 worked through the WS and WT processes to produce a solution …

Student models

The old shelter

The new shelter

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015

The plan …

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015

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

tanya.coli@det.nsw.edu.au

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015