Primary Science Really Matters

Lesley HarrisonPrimary Science Teacher Fellow 2009Funded by the New Zealand Government

Administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand

Email: Lesley.harrison@yahoo.com

Overview• What does recent research tell us

about science education in New Zealand primary schools?

• Why include more science in primary school education?

• What can you do to make good science a happening thing in your school?

The Research

NEMP, TIMSS, and NZCER all suggest that primary science education in New Zealand is in crisis

National Education Monitoring (NEMP 2007)

Significant increase in negative student attitudes towards science by Year 8

More students reported never doing science experiments or visiting science activities

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 1994 - 2006

NZ students’ achievement in science has fallen

Hours dedicated to teaching primary science in NZ has decreased

80% of Year 5 students indicated that they want to do more science

NZCER 2007

50% of primary principals surveyed reported including more enquiry learning in their curriculum

Only 2% reported science as a curriculum focus (Ian Milne 2009)

Year 4 students like science but have little opportunity

By Year 8 there is a noticeable decline in enthusiasm for science

Why these results?

• Science in primary education may be ‘diluted’ by the enquiry approach

• Primary teachers may not feel confident with the content of the Science Curriculum

• Is there time in the busy school programme to include quality science education?

SO DOES PRIMARY SCIENCE MATTER?

WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?

Why teach primary science?

Science helps to make sense of the physical and natural world and our universe

Later learning in science builds on an early foundation

Early engagement can foster a lifelong interest and passion for science

Practical science works for a range of learning styles

Scientific thinking and investigation lends itself perfectly to the enquiry learning approach.

Children love ‘doing’ science

We need more scientists to solve complex problems faced by society today

Science is a context for and links all the learning Areas

Science informs our choices,

decisions and actions.

We need to know about good and bad science!

A level of scientific literacy is vital

for everyone if we are to ensure the

future sustainability of our planet.

What can we do to enhance science education in primary

schools?

• Spread the word that ‘science really matters’

• Develop a clear vision of how you want science education to happen in your school

• Identify a science leader who will support others and ensure the vision comes to life

• Forge links with others

• develop learning communities and share information

• Plan to give science time and resources

• Have a science fair

• Provide authentic and practical science learning experiences for students

• Invite in real scientists to talked with your students

• Set up a wiki and invite scientists to join the learning community

• Have a science fair

• Have a science fair

• Be open to new learning yourself and talk about science in a positive way with students

• Utilise the resources that are already available to you

Science Websites

http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/THE SCIENCE LEARNING HUB

http://www.sciencepostcards.com/Science exploration through stories

http://www.brainpop.com/High quality short videos

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/Shared teacher resources

http://www.planet-science.com/home.htmlFree resources